Author: Sachi Kurup

Sunday, June 9, marked the grand finale of our 36th annual Mayor Dinkins Cup at the Cary Leeds Center, showcasing the talents of over 550 young athletes from public, private, and parochial schools across all five boroughs. Named in honor of NYC’s first Black mayor and our dedicated board member, David N. Dinkins, the event stands as the largest free junior interscholastic tennis competition in the nation.

The week-long tournament culminated in an awards ceremony where 13 scholarships totaling $140,000 were awarded, affirming our commitment to supporting exceptional student-athletes in their educational and athletic pursuits.

Udai Tambar, NYJTL President and CEO, shared, “This year’s Mayor Dinkins Cup was a resounding success, and we were so proud to be able to kick off the summer in this way. The Mayor Dinkins Cup gives hundreds of kids the opportunity to partake in a week of friendly competition with their peers, all while earning prizes, spending time with family, and strengthening their tennis skills. And this year, we were able to award $140,000 in scholarships to youth who have demonstrated what it means to be a scholar and an athlete on the court and away from it. Thanks to all who make this work possible.”

Scholarship Winners and Tournament Highlights:

• Louis Marx Jr. Educational Scholarship: Alex Chan, Onyx Fletcher, Daniel Rodriguez, Chantajah Mills, Autumn Clarke, James Walsh, Christian Torres-Juarez
• Victor Kiam “Going For It” Scholarship: Olivia Lopez
• Gavrin Family Foundation Inc. Scholarship: Adrian Neequaye, Jeremy Victoria, Austin Huang, Juliana Londono, Henry Cuamani Moyotl

Notable Tournament Winners:

• Boys Varsity Team: Bronx Science High School (Winner), Townsend Harris High School (Finalist)
• Boys Varsity Singles: Jeremy Victoria (Winner), Aaron Tokarz (Finalist)
• Girls Varsity Singles: Debra Gil (Winner), Jade Saintard (Finalist)
• Additional winners and finalists spanned categories from middle school to elementary levels, showcasing a broad range of young talent.

The event also featured family-friendly activities and giveaways, making it a memorable day for everyone involved. For more details on the tournament and to view photos, click here.

Congratulations to all our athletes for their remarkable performances and sportsmanship during this year’s Mayor Dinkins Cup!

• Read about the Queens teens who were awarded scholarships in the QNS article.
• Discover how PS 100X students brought home the Mayor Dinkins Cup in the News 12 the Bronx article.
• Learn about the Brooklyn students who earned scholarships at the event in the Brooklyn Eagle article.

On May 18, 2024, NYJTL hosted an impactful event in partnership with Generation S.O.S. at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning. This initiative, part of NYJTL’s Mental Health & Wellness Day, drew hundreds of teens from the Bronx and surrounding areas to participate in a powerful, interactive program aimed at raising awareness and preventing substance misuse and other mental health issues.

Generation S.O.S., a national nonprofit known for its peer-driven approach, presented a program designed to educate and empower youths by sharing personal stories and providing critical information on the importance of maintaining positive mental health. They demonstrated how mental health issues so often lead to substance misuse and addiction.

The event kicked off at 11 a.m., bringing together over 350 teens from NYJTL’s programs. These participants engaged in a wide range of activities, such as creating small canvas paintings, journaling, peer-to-peer discussions, drumming, competitive games, and tennis. The highlight of the event was a talk by a special guest speaker, Arthur, who shared his compelling story of struggling with emotional and mental health issues when he was very young, and how these issues led to substance misuse. Arthur also shared his journey to sobriety, and the coping skills he has learned to help him navigate life’s everyday challenges — emphasizing how his life has never been better.

This event was held in mid-May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month, a national observance started in 1949 by Mental Health America to bring attention to the importance of mental wellbeing. Across the country, individuals and organizations step up to raise awareness of, and help address the challenges faced by people living with, mental health conditions. This year’s theme, “Where to Start,” aimed to guide individuals on how to begin taking care of their own wellbeing. Mental health awareness is particularly crucial for youth, as half of all young people will experience a serious mental health challenge, often leading to substance misuse. The focus on substance misuse is so critical because addiction and drug overdose remain the leading cause of death among individuals under 30. This event highlighted the critical need to address these issues early on, ensuring that young people have access to the necessary resources and support. You can read more and access resources through Mental Health America’s website.

Robin Aviv, Founder of Generation S.O.S., stated “We believe that, through the power of peer-to-peer storytelling, kids will learn to identify mental health and emotional challenges (anxiety, depression, bullying, divorce, disordered eating, etc.) and come to understand they are not alone in their feelings. The NYJTL kids heard wonderful coping skills that the young speaker, Arthur, learned on his journey to becoming successful navigating life on life’s terms, without substances. At Generation S.O.S., we are in the prevention space. Our goal is to educate and empower kids with healthy coping methods, so they don’t have to turn to substances as the quick fix. Students invariably tell us our programs are the most impactful experiences they have ever encountered. We have reached over 100,000 teens and young adults through middle schools, high schools, college campuses and other nonprofits, and are thrilled to partner with NYJTL in this endeavor.”

DJ Rouzeau, Chief Program Officer of NYJTL, added, “At NYJTL, we believe in the power of community and education to address the critical issues of substance misuse and other mental health challenges among our youth. Partnering with Generation S.O.S. allows us to provide valuable information and resources while creating a supportive environment where teens can openly discuss their challenges and learn from each other. Through these collaborative efforts, we strive to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people, helping them make informed decisions and build healthier futures.”

Located in one of the nation’s most economically challenged ZIP codes, the Cary Leeds Center provided a fitting backdrop for this event. NYJTL, the largest youth tennis and education nonprofit in the nation, continues to reach over 85,000 K-12 youths across New York City, making a substantial impact through its tennis, education, and life skills programs.

Generation S.O.S.is helping teens and young adults make life-saving decisions about substance misuse and other mental health challenges. Last year, Generation S.O.S. reached more than 50,000 teens and young adults with its peer-driven model, which fosters open discussions about substance use and mental health without stigma. This event at the Cary Leeds Center is a testament to the power of community and collaboration in creating positive change.

For more information about Generation S.O.S. and its programs, please visit Generation SOS’s website.

Together, NYJTL and Generation S.O.S. are making strides ensuring that young people have the support and resources they need to make informed decisions and lead healthier lives.

New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) fosters holistic development for thousands of Brooklyn children and teens annually. Our free programming includes academic support, STEM and literacy activities, arts enrichment, wellness education, mentorship, test prep, tennis instruction, and more. Additionally, each year tens of thousands of Brooklyn students learn to play tennis in school from NYJTL-trained P.E. teachers.

By giving young people a wide range of accessible, no-cost opportunities to learn, play, and grow for more than five decades, we have become an essential part of communities throughout the borough.

Our annual impact in Brooklyn includes:

• Supporting the academic, social-emotional, and physical development of 1,280 students in eleven Brooklyn public schools in our daily, comprehensive, school-based afterschool program. Read more about our ACES Afterschool Program.
• Providing 943 Brooklyn students with summer academics and enrichment, helping them avoid the “summer learning slide” and continue their social-emotional growth between school years.
• Offering free tennis instruction, equipment, and competition throughout the year to more than 2,290 Brooklyn participants, ages 5 to 19, at eight unique sites in the borough. Read more about our Community Tennis Program, including registration instructions.
• Training more than 30 P.E. teachers from 24 Brooklyn public schools—and providing them with free equipment—so they can teach tennis to their students. Read more about our School Time Tennis Program.
• Guiding 18 Brooklyn students in grades 3-12—selected based on their tennis commitment, scholastic achievement, and family income—along their paths to college, with intensive tennis coaching, tutoring, test prep, admissions counseling, and other critical support. Read more about our Scholar Athlete Program.

NYJTL is proud of its commitment to letting the profile of its students match the profile of New York City. More than 74% of our participants in Brooklyn are kids of color.

“It means that my school really cares about having other opportunities for us aside from just school itself. I like the program because it gives us new things to do, we can experience different things than we do in school, learn different techniques in our classes, and we can spend time with our friends and bond with each other.”

Nevaeh, NYJTL ACES Afterschool Program
8th grade, JHS383K (Bushwick)

“NYJTL means a lot of things, not just about sports and learning. It’s a social program — we can learn to make friends and we go on great trips. I like the program not only because most of my friends are here, but it also gives me time outside of school to do what I want to do, and try new things like tennis, playing basketball, and a variety of other activities.”

Trenton, NYJTL ACES Afterschool Program
8th grade, JHS383K (Bushwick)

“NYJTL’s goals are in alignment with what we believe as a community – focus on the whole child. The organization offers both enrichment and academic support with fitness and mental health all together. Students have the opportunity to engage in activities and develop interests that they may not have even known they had! NYJTL is not just “an after-school program” – they are truly a part of the PS 9 community.”

Principal, PS 009, NYJTL ACES Afterschool Program
Clinton Hill

“I love the Scholar Athlete Program and consider all of those involved in it as part of my family. This program gives me an environment and opportunity where I’m able to develop mentally with my character and physically in my tennis game. The staff here are all welcoming with smiles on their faces everyday, and provide us the routine and discipline we need to be successful. My goal in life is to grow the most I can, either playing D1 tennis in college, or even going pro!”

Julia, Brooklyn resident, NYJTL Scholar Athlete Program
9th grade, High School of Economics

New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) fosters holistic development for tens of thousands of Queens children and teens annually. Our free programming includes academic support, STEM and literacy activities, arts enrichment, wellness education, mentorship, test prep, tennis instruction, P.E. teacher training, and more. By giving young people a wide range of accessible, no-cost opportunities to learn, play, and grow for more than five decades, we have become an essential part of communities throughout the borough.

Our annual impact in Queens includes:

• Supporting the academic, social-emotional, and physical development of 900 students in nine Queens public schools in our daily, comprehensive, school-based afterschool program. Read more about our ACES Afterschool Program.
• Providing more than 1,600 Queens students with summer academics and enrichment, helping them avoid the “summer learning slide” and continue their social-emotional growth between school years.
• Offering free tennis instruction, equipment, and competition throughout the year to approximately 5,000 Queens participants, ages 5 to 19, at 16 unique sites in the borough. Read more about our Community Tennis Program, including registration instructions.
• Training more than 50 P.E. teachers from 37 Queens public schools—and providing them with free equipment—enabling them to teach tennis to their 22,500 students.
• Guiding 25 Queens students in grades 3-12—selected based on their tennis commitment, scholastic achievement, and family income—along their paths to college, with intensive tennis coaching, tutoring, test prep, admissions counseling, and other critical support. In 2023, we opened this program’s first satellite site at Cunningham Park in Queens. Read more about our Scholar Athlete Program.
• Partnering with the NYPD in Springfield Park North in southeast Queens to facilitate youth participation in the NYPD Summer Youth Academy where they learn about law, behavioral science, drug prevention, and gang resistance.
• Regularly creating new offerings to meet students’ evolving needs. In 2023, our innovations included piloting a new initiative that provides all-inclusive, confidence-boosting tennis experiences for Queens youth from New York City Public Schools’ District 75, which serves students with autism and other significant challenges.

NYJTL is proud of its commitment to letting the profile of its students match the profile of New York City. More than 82% of our participants in Queens are kids of color.

“Everyone who is a part of the NYJTL community can teach you something new. The coaches not only teach you how to improve your game, but they teach you valuable life skills as well. NYJTL has shown me that hard work and determination build character.”

Natalie Gosek, NYJTL Community Tennis Program
Queens high school student

“With NYJTL in my school I always feel great because my parents can have time to work while I’m in after-school. There are fun activities to keep us entertained throughout the week. In addition, we have a great tennis team, and all the players are fun, brave, kind, and dependable.”

Aileen Cabrera NYTL ACES Afterschool Program
PS 127 Aerospace Science Magnet School (East Elmhurst, Queens)

“NYJTL’s Scholar Athlete Program not only helps me develop my tennis and academics but also helps me build new life skills. I wholeheartedly love this program. I have made many new friends and built many new relationships during my time here. Participating in the SAP program was one of my best life choices, and it is truly a privilege to be here.”

Kento Smith, NYJTL Scholar Athlete Program
Resident of Briarwood, Queens; Beacon High School student

PS/MS 219 has partnered with NYJTL for almost a decade. Many years ago, our Middle School Community asked for a quality after school program that provided enrichment and recreational activities. NYJTL provides that and more, alongside qualified program staff members with a focus on the safety of our students. Our school motto is What We Do Matters, How We Feel Matters, and Our Work Together Matters. NYJTL is an extension of our school’s vision and caters to supporting the whole child- academically, socially, and emotionally. We look forward to continuing this partnership for years to come.

Principal Marlin Vellon
P.S./M.S. 219 – The Paul Klapper School

The Racket ?
NYJTL Scholarship Opportunities Expand

New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) believes it is important to build on our history of providing access to tennis by creating pathways to higher education for those with potential but not the resources to achieve it. For more than a decade, NYJTL has awarded Victor Kiam “Going For It” Scholarships  to four high school seniors entering college.  This year, we are proud to announce an additional six scholarship opportunities for students in 2022. This will include four annual Louis Marx, Jr. Educational Scholarships, which will be awarded to program participants in their senior year of high school who demonstrate strong character and leadership skills, sportsmanship, commitment to the game of tennis, and demonstrated financial need. Louis Marx, Jr. Educational Scholarships award recipients will receive support throughout four years of college. Another award is the AYS Leadership & Innovation Scholarship from AYS, owner of Taste of Tennis, which will be given to college-bound participants who embody leadership and entrepreneurial spirit.

Other scholarship opportunities include the Jim McManus Memorial Scholarship in collaboration with the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals), which will sponsor the annual fees for an NYJTL Intensive Training Program participant, giving them the opportunity to train for a potential tennis scholarship for college.

We will be posting our application cycle in February- March 2022 and the winners will be announced at the NYJTL Mayor Dinkins’ Cup in May, with awards being dispersed for college aid in the fall. NYJTL is proud to build pathways to higher education through tennis and learning for under-resourced NYC youth.

NYJTL Programs Watch King Richard

Last month, students from New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) programs were invited to watch private screenings of King Richard. The film follows the life of Richard Williams, the steadfast father of tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams. Over the next month, NYJTL is raising funds to create the opportunity for more than 1,000 students to watch King Richard throughout our ACES Afterschool Program (ACES), Community Tennis Program (CTP), and community-based programs at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning.

Udai Tambar Named to Mayor-elect Adams’ Transition Team

NYJTL’s President & CEO has been appointed to Mayor-elect Eric Adams’ transition team as a member of the Human Services Committee. He will join a cadre of skilled experts across different fields to assist the mayor in tackling issues across the city.

ACES is in the Holiday Spirit

This holiday season, students in the ACES Afterschool Program (ACES) have been busy with a plethora of festive holiday activities. Middle school students from P.S./M.S. 219Q enjoyed a gingerbread house competition. Other of our ACES sites enjoyed activities such as holiday talent shows, movies, tennis tournaments, and more.

Building Bridges

NYJTL partnered with the Building  Bridges program from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine to discuss the ways physicians and community-based organizations can improve health in the Bronx, and the role NYJTL plays in addressing the social determinants of health.

Ahsha Rolle Imparts Tour Lessons on Next Generation at Cary Leeds Tennis Center

The newly minted NYJTL Director of Tennis advocates for a holistic approach in bringing up the game’s newest stars….Read the full story.