The tennis stars are helping Washington, D.C.'s Southeast Tennis and Learning Center mark its 10th anniversary this week. The center helps motivate kids in Washington through its academic and athletic programs.
"Lots of these kids, people have written off in the past," said Cora Masters Barry, CEO of the Recreation Wish List Committee, which along with the city's Department of Parks and Recreation, created the tennis center in 2001.
The Williams sisters will offer a tennis clinic at the center on Thursday and be the guests of honor at a dinner celebration Thursday night.
Since its founding, about 4,000 kids have participated in the center's programs, Barry said, and 30 have received tennis scholarships from schools including Penn State, Howard and Morgan State.
"Education goes hand in hand" with athletics, Venus Williams said. She added that her family has known Barry for about 10 years.
"They wanted to be a part of it," Barry said of the Williams sisters. The program's mission mirrored their youth in Compton, Calif. "They've been totally committed."
"It's been a great 10 years for the young people," Williams said.
The center offers programs for students age 7-17 during the week and a weekend program for children age 3-6, Barry said.
Children attending the center must have a 2.0 grade-point average in school to participate in the tennis program.
"Tennis is the hook, education is the key," Barry said.
"We encourage people to come out to the learning center to see what it's all about," Williams said.
"Lots of these kids, people have written off in the past," said Cora Masters Barry, CEO of the Recreation Wish List Committee, which along with the city's Department of Parks and Recreation, created the tennis center in 2001.
The Williams sisters will offer a tennis clinic at the center on Thursday and be the guests of honor at a dinner celebration Thursday night.
Since its founding, about 4,000 kids have participated in the center's programs, Barry said, and 30 have received tennis scholarships from schools including Penn State, Howard and Morgan State.
"Education goes hand in hand" with athletics, Venus Williams said. She added that her family has known Barry for about 10 years.
"They wanted to be a part of it," Barry said of the Williams sisters. The program's mission mirrored their youth in Compton, Calif. "They've been totally committed."
"It's been a great 10 years for the young people," Williams said.
The center offers programs for students age 7-17 during the week and a weekend program for children age 3-6, Barry said.
Children attending the center must have a 2.0 grade-point average in school to participate in the tennis program.
"Tennis is the hook, education is the key," Barry said.
"We encourage people to come out to the learning center to see what it's all about," Williams said.
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