Youth and Tennis Inc.

Mission Statement

The mission of the National Academy of Jr. Tennis and Youth Development Youth and Tennis, Inc. is to mentor the youth encouraging them to aspire to become productive citizens of their respective communities. This process is affected by providing an organized program of positive youth interaction thus steering and safe harboring them from crime both non-violent and violent. The usage of drugs, the drinking of alcohol, the smoking of cigarettes and sexual activity among the youth are other negative influences that the academy seeks to eliminate and reduce as a controlling factor in their lives.

     The teens and preteens of the program are mandated to participate in the youth developing mentorship provided by the program.  The Academy service to the city now totals over 1,300 youngsters, an increase of 300 over last year.  The Academy utilizes stop the violence funds to assist us in providing them mentorship, space to conduct their classroom and recreation activity, books, racquets, balls, nourishing snacks and training aids to effectuate the program.

     In addition necessary expenses such as mailings were allocated to provide information and direction to our large youth population. Because our programs are mostly located in areas of poor and disadvantaged youth, our coaches and other staff are directed to spend the necessary time to give them special care and personal attention. Our retention rate is high because we show them that we care. Our growth in members is constant because we turn no youngster away behind the needed services we provide for the youth. Once a youngster joins the Academy, the student is provided with a racquet and is taught the basic rudiments of the activity. They are motivated to enjoy, to learn and to develop a relationship with the coach mentor. Once in the program, they are motivated to achieve and are assigned classroom sessions that are designed to impact upon their lives in a positive way. These avenues are humane learning experiences and the value of academic achievement. Because the youngsters are surrounded by positive, nurturing mentors, the youngsters are focused on a goal and shielded from negative influences because they lack the time or energy to indulge.

     Our program is 28 years old and has trained over 28,000 youngsters. We provide this program 12 months of the year weekend and after school. Our program youth come from all across the city. We also conduct a tennis camp providing the youth a program for the summer to keep their body and minds from idleness during their vacation from school.

     Because of the recent success of Venus and Serena Williams, the Academy is inundated with a huge number of youth anxious to get enrolled.  This is a blessing because it affords us the opportunity to help more youngsters who may otherwise turn to juvenile delinquency or even more violent activity.  The Academy never turns away our youth.

Last updated: March 11, 2005