The USTA Foundation, formerly USTA Serves, the national charitable organization of the United States Tennis Association, in partnership with health care company Johnson & Johnson and its Veteran Leadership Council, hosted their final Warrior and Family Tennis Day in Harlem, led by instructors from the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program. The event was held at Howard Bennett Park in Harlem.
The free event was open to all military service members, veterans and their families. Attendees had an opportunity to participate in tennis lessons and various youth tennis activities. Additional activities were available for participants in wheelchairs. All participants took home T-shirts and other prizes, as well as information about local tennis. The program is directed by Karin Bucholz, director of development for the USTA Foundation for local military service members and veterans.
The event was among five pilot programs to implement the USTA Foundation Warrior Tennis Curriculum. This curriculum was recently developed as a guide for rehabilitation therapists and tennis professionals who wish to use the sport as a vehicle to help military service members and veterans make the transition from military to civilian life. In addition, it provides a fun and healthy way to help the service members reconnect with their families and their communities while improving their physical health and mental well-being.
The curriculum also provides guidance on techniques that will specifically assist service members and veterans in playing the game, and it can be used by both tennis professionals and therapists with no prior knowledge of tennis.
For further information, contact Jasmine Sheppard, Corporate Communications, USTA, 914-697-2275 or sheppard@usta.com.