I believe in the power of tennis and its ability to change lives and want to share my story and tell you how you can help more kids by showing your support to USTA Mid-Atlantic.

My name is Jill and my story involves my 8 year-old son, Issac. He is on the autism spectrum and has always struggled to find a place where he belongs. We tried to involve Issac in many different activities with little success and sports in general had been hard for him – that was until tennis came into his life.

Two years ago, we moved to a new town in West Virginia and Issac participated in the USTA Mid-Atlantic’s TGA Premier Youth Tennis Summer Camp program, and he LOVED it! It was one-on-one and just about him, the court, and the ball.  For the first time, he was able to focus and give his full attention to a sport.

Issac showed aptitude in tennis and  wanted to continue to take the sport even further. He now participates in the USTA Mid-Atlantic’s TGA Premier Youth Tennis After School Program which has helped him build his self-confidence, independence, listening skills and social skills.  The program is about so much more than just the sport and it has truly been life changing for Issac and our family.  Issac’s school work has improved,  he is more focused and now he has an outlet for physical activity.

Most importantly, Issac has a place where he feels like he belongs. He has a self-identity and is gaining important social skills through tennis that will help him in the future, which, as a mom, gives me peace of mind.

I am so grateful to the USTA Mid-Atlantic’s Youth Tennis After School and Summer Camp programs. We live in West Virginia, where tennis programs are few.  Because of USTA Mid-Atlantic’s commitment to bringing tennis to every child in the Section, my son was able to find  a program and a place where he could thrive. Through the power of tennis, he has discovered his passion and talent.  He takes great pride in that and so do I.

As you may know, USTA Mid-Atlantic’s tennis after school and summer camp program provides low-cost tennis programming in safe and convenient environments. Tennis is used to help kids learn science, math and technology concepts along with lessons in sportsmanship and decision making.  Since the program started,  USTA Mid-Atlantic has reached 9,000 kids throughout Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.  It has been highly rated by school administrators, educators and parents alike.

Tennis is creating a future for Issac and so many other kids.  A gift of $100.74 covers the cost of equipment, a high quality curriculum, and instruction for one child in the program. So far this year, the USTA Mid-Atlantic has reached more than 3,649 kids through the youth tennis after school and summer camp program. Our goal is to reach more than 4,200 kids in 2019. 

I ask that you join me and support the USTA Mid-Atlantic Section and their youth tennis programs this year with your year-end gift- give the gift of tennis to a child just like Issac.  My family and I love the after school tennis program and want the USTA Mid-Atlantic to be able to bring the program to more kids that need it. Together, we have the power to help the USTA Mid-Atlantic make tennis the most accessible and most played sport for young people throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. 

Thank you for taking time to read about Issac, the power of tennis and the power of USTA Mid- Atlantic to change a life.

Sincerely,

Jill

Proud Parent, USTA Mid-Atlantic TGA Premier Youth Tennis Program

P.S. Your gift of $100.74 will help a child, just like Issac, who enters the TGA Premier Youth Tennis Program in the Mid-Atlantic realize the possibilities the future holds.