Sportsmen’s is a year-round, family centered organization offering tennis, academic and social enrichment programs for K-12 aged youth, adult basic education, financial literacy courses, health and wellness screening and classes as well as a host of revenue-generating adult tennis programs. Our facility includes 3 multipurpose rooms, a computer lab, a cardio fitness center, 14 tennis courts (7 indoor and 7 outdoor), a small kitchen and locker rooms. We are open 7 days, over 100 hours a week. Our primary target population is low-income, school-age youth and young adults up to age 24 and their families residing in Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury. Our youth are 71% elementary school age, 16% middle school, 12% high school age, and 1% young adults who are not in school; gender distribution is even. 87% of the students in our programs are underprivileged (based on a scale used to determine financial aid and free or reduced lunch at school). Our work directly addresses what studies show are the most pressing challenges faced by youth and families in economically depressed neighborhoods: poor academic performance of K-12 children; obesity, chronic illness and cardiovascular disease, stemming from limited physical activity; and lack of quality, affordable after-school options for children.
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