Tennis program offers advantages to inner-city kids
Underpriviliged youngsters given a chance to learn life lessons as well as a new sport
Barbara Hester returned to the courts where her eldest son received his first tennis lesson. This time someone else was by her side — 7-year-old grandson Elijah Lawrence.
He was among nearly 40 inner-city youth who gathered at Martin Luther King Park for free summer tennis lessons. Only two children held their own rackets, and Elijah exhibited little desire to hold one at all.
At the urging of his grandmother, Elijah reluctantly joined his peers. Even after 21 years, the program's tennis instruction remains, for many, an introduction to the game.
"The East Side is economically devastated and the kids can't afford to buy tennis balls or buy rackets," coordinator James "Pappy" Martin said. "We want to reach those disadvantaged kids."
And the reach of the game extends beyond the courts, Martin said.
"What you develop in tennis is discipline and cognitive ability," he said. "That helps students develop intelligence and a certain mental toughness in life."
The tennis program is just one of the National Inner Cities Youth Opportunities Inc.'s delinquency prevention programs. CEO Joyce Nixon oversees a number of athletic programs, as well as keeping up with the children enrolled.
"Where's so and so?" Nixon asked on several occasions.
She was met repeatedly by one response: "In jail."
Tired of watching youths fall by the wayside, Nixon garnered support for the agency's pro-bono legal representation program. But she admitted she would rather see children on courts than in them.
Or, better yet, in one of the agency's inner-city football, basketball, marching, baseball, judo or dance programs.
"Kids only start to get involved with the criminal justice system or substance abuse when they don't have anything else to do," Nixon said. "Kids are good. Adults are crazy, but kids are good."
The tennis program at Martin Luther King Park runs through Aug. 20. This year a program was added at Delaware Park's McMillan Courts on Mondays and Thursdays to accommodate high demand. A similar tennis program is also run by the Police Athletic League of Buffalo at Delaware Park.
Martin, a retired social worker with the West Seneca Developmental Center, took over the program after the death of its founder, General Bass. A longtime Buffalo police officer, Bass also coached the Canisius College women's tennis team. The tennis program was only one of several he established at the JFK Center, Humboldt Park and Martin Luther King Park.
The difficulty in maintaining the legacy started by Bass comes when the program can't afford enough rackets.
Last year, Martin expected 25 students and ended up with 45. Despite consistent enrollment, the program is suffering from a decrease in funding. Last year, the program received $2,000 from the USTA, Nixon said. This year, the funding was cut to $500.
In response, Olmsted Conservancy signed a formal memorandum of understanding to help provide financing, administrative and marketing support in addition to use of its facilities.
Nixon also coordinated a partnership with MicroBiz Buffalo, a non-profit entrepreneurial development and support organization, to expand the program to Delaware Park. MicroBiz decided to use the math and discipline of tennis to reinforce lessons in financial literacy.
"You have to have diversity so you can reach kids, rather then have them fall through the cracks," she said. "Not everybody is 6-4 and plays basketball."
Aaron Lane, 15, began playing tennis two years ago. He isn't inclined to play basketball or football, a fact that places him in a minority among his peers.
"I like soccer and tennis, stuff like that," he said, quickly adding, "Stuff that isn't normal for a 15-year-old guy."
Those aren't his words, though, just what he hears at school. But Lane chooses to adopt the attitude of the old sticks and stones adage. Besides, his racket and tennis balls are going to make him famous one day.
"I want to go to the U.S. Open," he said. "I have a lot of dreams."
Unfortunately his school does not have a varsity tennis team. Lane established the Tapestry Charter School's first club tennis team, though it lacks numbers and a coach.
So he was surprised to meet the likes of Tinya Franklin, 4, at the program. She was among the children hitting balls over the net, into the net and occasionally over the fence.
Tinya wasn't just playing the game. She was acting out her favorite role.
"Hit that ball like Venus [Williams]," her grandmother said.
As Lane looked on, he couldn't help but feel envy.
"I'm surprised this kind of program exists," he said. "I didn't expect this many kids to be here. If I had something like this growing up, I would be better than I am now. These kids are hitting the balls real hard."
After instruction had ended, Martin began to gather stray rackets. His grandson's, which he had loaned out, remained missing.
Then he noticed a ball fly over the net. And then another. He looked over his shoulder.
Elijah continued to hit one shot after the other over the net. Martin laughed.
"Can't get them off the courts," he said.
Interested volunteers or donors may contact Joyce Nixon, 549 Linwood Ave., Buffalo 14209.
Log into MyBuffalo to post a comment
MyBuffalo is the new social network from Buffalo.com. Your MyBuffalo account lets you comment on and rate stories at buffalonews.com. You can also head over to mybuffalo.com to share your blog posts, stories, photos, and videos with the community. Join now or learn more.
Reader comments