ALLAPATTAH

Giving kids choices through tennis

Eager parents rush to enroll their children in Moore Park summer camp programs but many kids are locked out because of space.

BY MEL LICHTENHELD

Special to The Miami Herald

The party spilled out the door on April 25 at the Ashe-Buchholz Tennis Center at Moore Park, where the Greater Miami Tennis & Education Foundation hosted more than 60 parents eager to enroll their children in summer camp.

The all-day camp, paid for by funding from The Children's Trust, has space for 125 children but that is not enough, said foundation organizers, because at least 75 others are on a waiting list.

''Parents in this area really want their children to be in the GMTEF out-of-school programs,'' said Larry Pye, the foundation's site director at Moore Park, 756 NW 36th St. in the Allapattah neighborhood northwest of downtown Miami.

Leslie Jones of Miami said the program is helping his children fulfill their dreams. One of his daughters, Tiffany, 15, is a member of the Adopt-A-Player program which sponsors advanced tennis players by providing equipment and travel costs for tournaments.

''Whether they will accomplish their dreams or not, they will find out either way by having had this advantage,'' Jones said. ``It's not only tennis, though. They take their grades seriously because the program has exposed them to college opportunities, and they can see there is a choice for them if they work hard.''

In recent years, the park has become a neighborhood hub for families searching for a safe place to spend their time, whether it's on the tennis courts or computers, said James Champion, vice chairman of the foundation's board of directors.

Much of this is due to grants from The Children's Trust which is funded by taxpayers to improve the lives of children and families in the county. The grants help the foundation in the short-term to supply more tennis coaches and equipment, literacy teachers, nutrition counseling and tutors. In the long-term, the children are put on track to obtain a college education through a tennis scholarship, Champion said.

''The GMTEF is grateful to The Children's Trust for its financial support, without which the summer and after-school programs could not happen,'' said foundation chairman Ed Rubinoff.

The summer camp has programs for children aged 5-18, with a focus on tennis in the morning and other sports in the afternoon, including T-ball, volleyball, basketball and football. Campers also will go on bus trips to swim lessons, Metrozoo, Miami Seaquarium, Fantasy Theater, and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.

''A lot of kids are so unfortunate that they don't get to see lots of places. All these activities help them to become well-grounded,'' said Sherri Henderson, the foundation's site administrator.

Many of the same children take part in the after-school program from 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays.

Henderson said she encourages parents to visit the park and observe their children at sport and in educational activities, attend tennis tournaments and get involved.

The push for family participation has seen a turnaround for the park which is situated in a diverse section of Miami near Interstate 95. Nearly 500 campers combined are expected be at the park this summer for the free GMTEF program and the city of Miami Parks and Recreation summer camp which will collaborate with the Foundation of Community Assistance and Leadership (FOCAL) to offer math, science and computer activities.

Parent enthusiasm for the foundation's programs was reflected April 25 by the large turnout after work and the amount of food donated for the party.

''Chef Creole, Los Cuban Vegas, Winn-Dixie and Krispy Kreme are all big supporters. They appreciate what we are trying to do with the kids,'' Henderson said. ``The Learning Center was just overflowing. We had a huge question-and-answer session and the parent survey showed they wished there was a bigger program.''