YMCA Tennis Georgia continues to grow flourish and impact kids in Georgia
through the sport of tennis. YMCA Tennis Georgia began in 2003 as a
summer program providing eight weeks of professional tennis instruction to
disadvantaged children in Georgia YCMAs. In fall of 2005, the YMCA Tennis
Georgia expanded to offer kids who exhibited talent and interest during the
summer an opportunity to continue tennis throughout the year. In just four
years, YMCA Tennis Georgia has grown from 1 YMCA in Metro Atlanta to 23
YMCAs in Atlanta, Columbus and Rome, Georgia and has introduced the
sport of tennis to over 16,000 children.
Since 2003, YMCA Tennis Georgia has been successful in introducing and
offering ongoing tennis instruction to disadvantaged children in a safe
neighborhood environment. Disadvantaged kids who are at-risk of
drug/alcohol abuse, obesity and violence are offered a positive life/sport
alternative. In addition, tennis courts in those neighborhoods, which have
fallen into dilapidation, have been given new nets and grooming which not
only improves the neighborhood appearance, but also encourages other
neighbors to play tennis together contributing to a safe neighborhood
environment.
Thanks to a founding grant from Publix Super Markets Charities, the Georgia
Tennis Foundation launched YMCA Tennis Georgia the summer of June 2003.
As founding sponsor of YMCA Tennis Georgia, Publix Super Markets Charities
has been instrumental to the phenomenal growth of this program. Other
generous sponsors, the Livingston Foundation, SouthShares Foundation, and
Pattillo Construction Company joined forces with the Georgia Tennis
Foundation to expand YMCA Tennis Georgia outside of Atlanta to other
cities in Georgia. The Georgia Tennis Foundation wishes to thank the Atlanta
Falcons Youth Foundation for their generosity on behalf of YMCA Tennis
Georgia in 2006. With their support, YMCA Tennis Georgia was introduced
to the Centennial and Carver YMCAs and returned to the Butler YMCA, all in
inner-city Atlanta.
It is the goal for YMCA Tennis Georgia to expand to all 60 YMCAs throughout
the state. With the continued support of our generous sponsors, YMCA
Tennis Georgia is rapidly on its way to reaching its goal!
