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Founded in 1975, the National Junior Tennis League of Trenton, Inc. (NJTLT), is a 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to “Provide Opportunities through Education, Nutrition and Tennis!” NJTLT exists to promote character and citizenship by offering unique learning and recreational opportunities for low income, underserved and at-risk young people.

Description:
The most important goal for NJTL of Trenton is to keep kids off the streets and on the courts, instead of in the courts. We strive to strengthen families, promote healthy lifestyles and literacy, and foster community involvement by developing and implementing innovative and collaborative programs to help provide at-risk youth with “the supports they need to grow up healthy and succeed in school” and in life. In 2006, NJTLT served more than 1,200 young people living in the Greater Trenton area.
The organization embraces the philosophy of national NJTL co-founder, tennis legend and champion of human rights, Arthur Ashe by:

• Helping at-risk youth develop healthy lifestyles and avoid the health risks that accompany obesity by providing nutrition/health and wellness education and by promoting an active lifestyle.
• Encouraging academic excellence by providing educational, technology (MITES) and cultural enrichment opportunities.
• Providing young people with attractive, fun and safe alternatives to sedentary activities while countering the allure of gangs, alcohol, tobacco and drug involvement
• Making it possible for young people to develop their on-court potential so that they can derive a lifetime of enjoyment from this healthful life sport and, in some cases, attend college on a tennis scholarship.
• Instilling in young people the values of sportsmanship, self-discipline, self-esteem and leadership.
• Providing strong role models and mentoring opportunities.
• Creating and emphasizing a wholesome environment that encourages young people to become responsibly involved in the life and their community.

History:
The NJTL of Trenton was founded nationally by Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell, and Sheridan Snyder in 1968. In 1975, a Trenton, NJ chapter, NJTL of Trenton, Inc., was established as a nonprofit (501(c)3) organization. The NJTL of Trenton’s mission remains the same and is still connected to the ideals of Arthur Ashe - to use tennis as a tool to promote character and to offer education and nutrition opportunities for young people. NJTLT offers year-round tennis programs, academic tutoring, academic scholarships and technology and nutrition programs to more than 1,200 children living in the greater Trenton area.

The NJTLT strives to build character by offering positive experiences and by hiring qualified staff members to serve as role models. Children who participate in the organization’s programs are exposed to mentoring and an organized sport; a sport in which emphasizes responsibility, good manners, sportsmanship, and team spirit and where players advance based on self motivation and hard work. With qualified instructors, most who have graduated from the program, acting as role models and mentors, the outcome is inspiring. The individuals served by the organization feel good about the investment made in them and their own personal accomplishments on and off the court. They continue to strive to be the best they can be long after they have graduated from the program; some receiving partial college scholarships.

NJTLT's Board of Directors is made up of a very diverse group of fourteen individuals. It includes the founders of the NJTL of Trenton, parents of participants, tennis teaching professionals, and community and business leaders from the Trenton-Princeton area. There are also three advisors to the board: the former NYC Mayor, David Dinkins, an esquire from Stark & Stark, and the director of the National Tennis Center for USTA.

Contact person: Dan Faber, Executive Director, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (609) 730-8537

Address:

PO Box 951 Pennington, NJ 08534

Web Site: http://www.njtloftrenton.com