Tennis-and-Enrichment: Initiated in 1990, NJTLT started with tennis instruction and homework help at one local urban school.  Since 2000, the T&E program has expanded to include stronger academic enrichment (e.g., science, logical thinking, computer literacy and math) - and after-school tennis instruction both on- and off-site 2-3 days per week.  In 2006-07, NJTLT partnered with Princeton University and PEAC Health and Fitness (in Ewing, NJ) to use their facilities as an off-site.  The off-site locations offer a change in venue with additional mentoring and interaction with collegiate tennis players. The program’s purpose is to improve academic performance and attitudes, reduce truancy, promote healthy lifestyles (exercise and nutrition) and to provide instruction on court to include character-building skills such as good sportsmanship, teamwork, acceptance and responsibility.    Each student receives one hour of tennis instruction and one hour of academic enrichment two to three days a week. All sessions begin with a healthy snack. 

Mobile IT Education Support –MITES: The MITES initiative, undertaken in 2006, has been extremely popular with the NJTLT population.  Not only does it enhance and differentiate our existing Tennis and Enrichment Programs (see above), but it provides exciting opportunities for Trenton youth who may have little access to computer technology in their school system or at home. It supports the academic, tennis, and nutritional education components of the Trenton NJTL by adding a “traveling” computer literacy program.  This is accomplished by using laptop computers with age-appropriate software packages, computer hardware peripherals and related supplies.  This unique initiative has enabled our Chapter to bring academic tutoring and mentoring skills to our participants in the classroom and at the tennis courts on a year-round basis.  The summer camp program utilizes MITES to engage the youth in logic and critical-thinking skills, making learning fun while enhancing their computer literacy and thinking skills.

NJTLT is working to raise funds to increase the number of laptops available for our participants. 
 

Academic Scholarships: NJTLT offers academic scholarships to participants and staff, and believe that this opportunity adds an incentive for participants to stay in school and exhibit responsibility on and off the court. Started in 2001, the academic scholarship program provided funds to a participant who recently graduated from New Jersey Institute of Technology. Other recipients, who could not otherwise attend college, have received funding enabling them to attend such schools as Johnson C. Smith University and Lynchburg College, where they are part of the school’s tennis teams and are maintaining good grades.  Most of these students are applying for multi-year funding and also have returned in the summer to work for the NJTLT and serve as mentors to our younger participants.   

NJTLT is working to expand funds available for scholarships to help support existing recipients complete their education and to offer additional scholarship money to upcoming high school graduates in the NJTLT program.
 

Nutrition Program: A free nutritional breakfast, provided by the city, is served to the children during the summer at our Trenton sites. A healthy snack is provided prior to each after-school program as well. In addition, children are engaged in regular dialogue about fitness goals by discussing healthy eating habits and proper exercise. Each summer, NJTLT supervisors attend a nutritional training program.

NJTLT is planning to implement an expanded nutrition program by developing a separate healthy life-style curriculum and by recruiting professional nutritionists as guest speakers.

Summer Program:  Established in 1975, the NJTLT’s summer program initially began at one site with 30 youngsters.  In 2006, over 1,200 children took  part in our summer program, which provides mentoring and supervised tennis instruction in a safe environment at six sites in the greater Trenton area. Nutrition and proper exercise techniques are emphasized during each session, which includes a healthy snack.  Many city and local organizations collaborate and utilize the program, such as the Trenton, Ewing, and Hamilton Recreation Departments, CYO, Boys and Girl’s Club, daycare centers, and the YMCA. During the summer, team tennis and “mentoring” are the favored methods to reach the children. Therefore, the NJTLT makes it a point to hire past participants and positive role models from within the local community.

Depending on funding, NJTLT plans for the addition of several new sites.
 

Fall, Winter and Spring Programs: The NJTL of Trenton's spring (April to June), fall (September to October), and winter (November to May) programs are offered to the Ashe players and the most enthusiastic participants. The spring and fall programs usually take place at Cadwalader Park after-school and on Saturdays, and the winter program takes place on Saturdays at the Mercer County Indoor Tennis Facility and PEAC Health and Fitness; bussing is provided from Trenton High School to the indoor courts. 
 

NJAfter3 Program: The NJTLT was recruited by USTA/NJTL and NJAfter3 (state of NJ) to be a service provider of tennis at NJAfter3 sites throughout Trenton. Currently, NJTLT offers tennis at four NJAfter3 sites. NJTLT plans to expand its service to more schools in 2008-2009.
 

Tennis-on-Wheels Program (June-August): The NJTL of Trenton reaches out to other Trenton organizations where transportation is not available. NJTLT instructors travel with portable nets, rackets, and balls to mentor and teach tennis in parking lots to hundreds of children participating in other city sponsored programs.
 

Special Population Program:  The NJTL of Trenton provides tennis activities for the Reed School, a school for autistic children. Most summers, the Reed School sends children to one of our sites for engaging and fun tennis activities.
 

Ashe Elite Team (All Year): The Ashe Elite Team is designed for children who exhibit an extraordinary talent for the sport of tennis. These participants also demonstrate team work skills, responsible actions, a willingness to learn and hard work ethics. The children practice year round and compete in many sectional and regional tennis events throughout the year. In the past, our twelve-and-under Ashe Elite Team won the USTA Regional Team Tennis Competition, which qualified them to play at the sectional event; more importantly, 2 of our players received the sportsmanship award at the event (voted by all the players at the event). In addition, 2 Elite players were accepted to the National NJTL Leadership Camp (2005 Florida, 2007 Seattle) - one being voted "Best Attitude" at the camp!

Trenton Recreation Department (SCOOP):  The NJTL of Trenton collaborates with the City of Trenton to offer tennis and mentoring to children in the Trenton area. Children receive free transportation to designated youth centers around the Trenton area where the NJTLT provides tennis and mentoring.  This popular program continues to grow both in the number of participants and the amount of funds on a yearly basis.
 

Adult Cardio Tennis (Spring, Summer, Fall):  The NJTL of Trenton offers adult cardio tennis  throughout most of the year.  During the summer, parents of participants can take cardio tennis at Cadwalader Park with free onsite babysitting (4-year-olds and up) if requested.   The goals of this program are to encourage fitness, to introduce the adults to a lifetime sport, and to urge more interaction of the adults and children in similar activities (bring families together).
 

Special Events (All Year): Currently, NJTL of Trenton hosts five special events: an end-of-the-year picnic for all participants and their families; a bus trip to the US Open in Flushing Meadows; NY; a Regional Rally where our players compete against other NJTL teams in the region; a Family Tennis Extravaganza; and the Mayor’s Cup – our singles tennis tournament.  These special events are designed to broaden the horizons of NJTLT participants and to provide an opportunity for parents to participant with their children.