About Us

Our Mission: Improve the lives and futures of Milwaukee youth through tennis, education and mentoring.

Our Vision: MTEF strives to create opportunities for children in Milwaukee, especially those from low-income families and communities, to learn a lifetime sport and, more importantly, develop into healthy, well-rounded, well-educated, tolerant, and compassionate human beings who will contribute to making their community and the world a better place.

Tennis is played all over the world, from the pristine courts at Wimbledon to dirt courts in third world countries. It does not matter if the players speak the same language as their opponents or who has more money in the bank. Tennis is a great equalizer. It brings diverse people together to share a wholesome activity. The youngsters in our program represent numerous nationalities, races, and colors. We work to give urban children a safe environment where they can play and excel.

Operating as both a United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) chapter and a Community Tennis Association (CTA), MTEF provides year-round tennis and youth development programs to help students reach their greatest potential. Through life skills training and positive adult coaches and mentors, MTEF empowers students to develop strong characters and critical life skills that will lead them to success.

Combining the benefits of high-quality tennis instruction with youth development helps MTEF to prepare its young participants to meet the challenges of adolescence to achieve their full potential. Through tennis activities and experiences, we offer much-needed opportunities for youth to develop social, ethical, emotional, physical, and cognitive competencies. Our tennis program is built on four pillars: Wellness, Community Awareness, Like Skills and Academics.

• Wellness–How to improve physical health through exercise (tennis) and nutrition.

• Community Awareness – How to actively contribute to the community by serving as a role model and mentor to younger tennis players.

• Life Skills–How to use skills learned through tennis (sportsmanship, teamwork, resilience, perseverance, honesty, integrity, emotion control, etc.) in daily life.

• Academics–How to transfer lessons and successes on the tennis court (time management, preparation, problem solving, responsibility, accepting feedback and adapting) into positive outcomes in the classroom.

To harness the power of tennis as a tool for youth development, MTEF provides a pipeline of neighborhood-based, low-cost activities: MTEF Summer Tennis Camp, TEAM, and outreach.

MTEF Summer Tennis Camp offers 6 weeks of full and half‐day programming open to youth players (ages 8-18) of all abilities. MTEF coaches/mentors provide instruction on fundamental tennis skills and strategies while weaving in life skills, academic enrichment sessions, social and emotional learning, and camp fun and hijinks. One week of camp is held in rural Fredonia, Wisconsin to offer participants the opportunity to embrace the outdoors and spend time in a picturesque setting. The location also has tennis courts so campers can continue their tennis instruction. Last year, more than 120 children participated in our summer camp.

TEAM (Tennis Education And Mentoring) is our school-year program, serving around 60 children in grades 4-12 each year. Through this program, volunteer mentors and coaches empower a community of student-athletes to lead successful lives and make a positive impact on their communities. With a focus on building character, participants engage in weekly activities including tennis, tutoring, educational enrichment and more.

Community outreach programs provide the opportunity for us to introduce MTEF and tennis to youth that might not normally have the opportunity to enjoy the sport or have any exposure to it. Through the convenience of portable tennis nets, MTEF can be anywhere the kids are – gyms, playgrounds, schools, etc.

Our Core Values

• Integrity: We offer what we can deliver and work hard to achieve it.

• Responsibility: We are responsible for our actions and their consequences.

• Perseverance: We do our best in spite of any challenge.

• Fun: We find enjoyment on the court, in the classroom and in our interactions.

• Learning & Growth: We seek to constantly improve, learning from our everyday experiences.

How we are different

• Small and Local – Our sponsors, volunteers and most importantly kids can truly “feel” our impact.

• Minimal Infrastructure – Almost all funds go toward programming for the youngsters we serve.

• Tennis as the Vector – Tennis is not a sport that most urban youth have an opportunity to experience, and it offers lessons and opportunities not provided by many others.

• Well-Rounded Offering – Tennis is merely one component of the mission, with education and mentoring to prepare participants for higher education, careers, and life as productive adults paramount.

• Breadth and Depth – MTEF has programs for those who want to “put their toes in the water” as well as those who want an immersive experience.