The MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation (MWYF) has been helping grow Florida tennis since 1996, providing thousands of kids a place to further their education and also enjoy the game of tennis.  

With the help of a program support grant from the USTA Florida Section Foundation, MWYF was able to introduce “Camp Dynamite” a youth summer camp, specialized for low-income, at-risk kids in Jacksonville, opening them up to tennis and other physical activities.  

Children that are involved with this program were introduced to a variety of tennis clinics, games and other activities that are designed to enhance their love and learning of tennis. “We utilized all USTA approved curriculum, and the tennis was supervised by USPTA & PTR coaches,” Terri Florio, Executive Director of MWYF said. Camp Dynamite also offered all participants the opportunity to engage in other fun activities besides tennis. 

Camp Dynamite practiced healthy living as well, teaching kids the positives that tennis has on their body. The end of the camp also saw everyone take the skills that they learned and put them to the test. They provided season-ending play days, where the kids were broken up by age and ability, to get to play competitive tennis against one another. 

This program saw 251 participants with 74 of them being completely new to the game of tennis. This grant from the USTA Florida Foundation helped provide tennis equipment, courts, and bring in a great staff to assist these children.  

Johanthan, who attended the camp, had a blast. “This was the best summer ever,” he said. The MWYF plans to keep this program running for the foreseeable future as it is a great way to keep kids active throughout the summer. 

USTA Florida Section Foundation’s Program Support Grants are made possible through generous donations given in a myriad of ways. Donors can make a recurring donation, a one-time donation or buy a “Play Tennis!” license plate that keeps giving long after your plate fees are paid. There is an opportunity available for any way a donor would like to give back to organizations that make tennis and healthy living a possibility to underserved communities like MWYF. 

To learn more about applying for USTA Florida program support grants through the USTA Florida Foundation go to ustafloridafoundation.com/apply-for-grants/program-support-grants.  

ABOUT THE USTA FLORIDA FOUNDATION  

With a mission of “Changing Lives through Tennis,” the USTA Florida Section Foundation provides financial support to organizations that help people of all ages and abilities improve their health and quality of life through the great game of tennis. To learn more or to apply for a grant go to ustafloridafoundation.com.