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
