A Tennis Theme; A College Dream
This project's parent organization is Tennis Opportunity Program
It operates in United States
It uses Tennis
More about A Tennis Theme; A College Dream
Tennis Opportunity Program (TOP) was founded on the premise that sports, especially tennis, is a underused tool in addressing social need in Chicago. The sad reality is that the high costs of training, equipment and tournament play make tennis an unlikely and unrealistic sport for economically disadvantaged youth. This is particularly true in Chicago where short outdoor seasons and limited outdoor courts make expensive indoor facilities and professional coaching essential factors in developing competencies on the court. Research suggests there are few programs that provide intervention, advocacy, and financial support for children who are talented but lack economic resources. While many Chicago area organizations do not address the needs of this group of children, TOP is committed to them.
Each year, many Chicago area children must compromise their potential by participating in traditional, limited recreational sports programs that offer activities that are seasonal, of short duration, and focus on general fundamentals of play. Further, these programs lack sufficient resources to offer a component of structured academic support and there is little evidence that their activities have a substantial positive impact on the lives of their participants.
TOP fills these gaps by providing its group of talented youngsters with a year-round individualized program of intense professional services that aim to improve academic achievement, develop fundamental and competitive-level tennis skills, and build healthy and positive life skills. The ultimate goal of TOP is to see its young people accepted by, and graduate from, college, since only one in five low-income youth achieves this milestone.