ORLANDO, March 15, 2019 (USTA Press Release)

The USTA and its charitable arm, the USTA Foundation, announced that $75,000 has been contributed to the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation as part of the “Net Generation Giving Back” initiative. The funds will be used towards the completion of a new teen center at the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation’s headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla.

Net Generation marks the first time American tennis has had one unified youth brand for children to get into the sport. Net Generation makes it easier for kids and their parents to learn about tennis and get into the game in schools, parks and tennis clubs across the country. The movement embraces all aspects of youth play for kids ages 5-18.

Starting in 2018, through “Net Generation Giving Back,” the USTA Foundation has committed to contribute $1 for every child registered as a part of Net Generation (up to $100,000) in support of the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network. The NJTL network is made up of nearly 300 chapters that reach approximately 180,000 youth on an annual basis, providing free or low-cost tennis and education programming to the 50 largest markets in the U.S. – nurturing future leaders and enabling kids in need to succeed on the court, in the classroom and in life.

“Net Generation’s goal is to grow the sport of tennis by getting more racquets in kids’ hands regardless of their background,” said Craig Morris, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA. “Supporting the USTA Foundation and the NJTL network through ‘Net Generation Giving Back’ is a critical component of that mission.”

After Net Generation hit its goal of more than 100,000 registrants in 2018, the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation was chosen by the USTA and USTA Foundation as one of the two NJTLs to receive a portion of the $100,000. The other NJTL chapter chosen is The ACE Project in Chicago, which is opening a new chapter in Detroit.

“The NJTL network allows the USTA Foundation to impact under-resourced youth through tennis and education,” said Dan Faber, Executive Director, USTA Foundation. “Both of the programs selected to receive the ‘Net Generation Giving Back’ funds have done incredible work in their respective communities and these additional resources will allow them to have an even greater impact.”

The $75,000 will be put towards the construction of a new teen center, which will allow the MWYF to more than double the number of students it serves. In addition, students and community members will be able to participate in test preparation, social skills classes, college tours and application assistance, and classes on how to get—and keep—a  job. The new center will be built on unoccupied land adjacent to the Emmett Reed Center and across the street from the current youth center.

“The MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation has had a long-standing relationship with the USTA and the USTA Foundation and it means so much to me personally that we were chosen as a recipient of the ‘Net Generation Giving Back’ funds,” said MaliVai Washington, founder of the MWYF.

“This contribution not only supports our future teen center and strengthens our partnership with the USTA and the USTA Foundation, but it shows just how much they are willing to invest in the lives of youth in one of the most challenging areas of Jacksonville. We look forward to seeing our teen center come out of the ground in the coming months and thank the USTA for helping make this dream happen.”