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The NJTLT's Board of Directors are committed to reach as many youths as possible throughout the Trenton area, especially those who are underserved. The NJTLT’s programming is clearly based on developing the “whole” person – not just one facet. Using tennis as the main tool, the NJTLT is about developing productive attitudes and citizens, healthy lifestyles, academic performance and life-long skills. Revenue plays a key part in the scope and size of each program.
NJTL of Trenton has received many accolades for its outreach programs. It received the “National NJTL of the Year” award in 2007 and USTA/Middle States/NJD awarded the organization sectional and district “NJTL of the Year” and sectional “CTA of the Year” over the past 3 years. In addition, the City of Trenton continues to recognize NJTLT as a premier service provided. These accomplishments are testimonials of the successful broad-based list of programs and opportunities offered by NJTLT:
NETS (Nutrition, Education,
Tennis Support):
The NETS program is an after-school program that provides a safe, healthy
and enriched environment for at-risk children between the ages of 10 and 14.
It operates in partnership with the Trenton Public School District, the City
of Trenton, the PEAC Health and Fitness Club, Mercer County Recreation and
Princeton University. It runs from October to May, two to three days per week.
It provides a combination of tennis instruction, nutrition education and
academic enrichment in the areas of science, math, literacy and/or computer
literacy skills. Life skills and job preparedness skills are stressed
throughout the program. The program takes place on site (school) and off site (tennis centers). NETS graduates are hired to work as
mentors and tennis pros.
MITES (Mobile IT Education Support):
The MITES initiative, undertaken in 2006, has been extremely popular with the NJTLT population. Not only does it enhance and differentiate our existing NETS Program (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 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 logical and critical-thinking skills; making learning fun while enhancing their computer literacy and thinking skills.
College Scholarships:
NJTLT offers two 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. Most of these
students are applying for multi-year funding and also have returned in the
summer to work for the NJTLT to serve as mentors to our younger
participants.
Nutrition/Fitness Programs:
A free nutritional breakfast and/or lunch is served to the NJTLT 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 summer feeding
training program.
A childhood obesity program, "Serving up Health," has been developed in
cooperation with Capital Health Systems, ACME, and Sanofi-Aventis. Ten to
fifteen children with obesity
related health issues participate in a 12-week tennis, fitness and nutrition
program. Family members are encouraged to participate during
the tennis, nutrition and cooking portions of the program.
Summer Tennis Program:
Established in 1975, the NJTLT’s s ummer program initially began at one site
with 30 youngsters. In 2008, over 1,000 children took part in the
eight-week summer program at seven different sites. The summer program
emphasizes character development and tennis instruction. It offers Quick
Start
[AEM1] and
advanced training, family picnics and field trips (e.g., Regional Rallies,
US Open, WTT). Many city and local organizations collaborate and utilize
the program, such as the Trenton, Ewing, and Hamilton Recreation
Departments, CYO, Boy’s and Girl’s Club, daycare centers, 21st
Century and the YMCA. The NJTLT makes it a point to hire past participants
and positive role models to teach during the summer.
Service Contracts:
NJTLT contracts with other agencies to provide tennis instruction within their own programs. For example, NJTLT provides tennis instruction and opportunities for NJAfter3, 21st Century, Villa Victoria Academy, Trenton Catholic Academy, YMCA, Ewing Township recreation and the City of Trenton recreation department.
Special Population Program:
NJTLT provides tennis activities for the ARC. Once a week, our tennis staff teach basic skills to ARC consumers at local ARC community centers.
Ashe Elite Team/Team Tennis:
The Ashe Elite Team is designed for children who exhibit an extraordinary talent for the sport of tennis. These participants are recruited for the Ashe Elite Team from other NJTLT programs because they demonstrate team work skills, responsible actions, a willingness to learn and hard work ethics. The children practice year round and compete in many Team Tennis leagues and events. In the past, our twelve-and-under Ashe Elite Team won the regional Team Tennis competition, which qualified them to play at the sectional event; more importantly, two of these players received the sportsmanship award at the event (voted by the players at the event). In addition, four Elite players were accepted to the National NJTL Leadership Camp (2005 Florida, 2007 Seattle, 2008 Washington) - one being voted "Best Attitude" at the camp!
Cardio Tennis:
NJTLT 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). 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 their children.
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.
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.
21st Century Program: The NJTLT provides tennis programs for 21st Century. Currently, NJTLT is working with one of the 21st Century after-school sites, Grice Middle School in Hamilton, NJ.
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.
