HQ Tennis Foundation
HQ Tennis Foundation is a non-profit (501c3) organization, dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to experience tennis. Our goal is to bring High-Quality Tennis experiences to those that might not normally have access to it. HQ Tennis Foundation (HQF) is always looking for ways to break down boundaries in tennis and creates a safe space for participants from diverse backgrounds to share experiences, including allowing participants to reach higher levels of quality tennis. We provide tennis exposure, as well as, High-Quality Tennis lessons and opportunities that will allow participants to excel to professional levels.
OUR THREE PRIMARY INITIATIVES ARE:
- The Community. To build a space where everybody feels welcomed to play, learn, and get active.
- The Children. To offer scholarships and opportunities in quality lessons that are accessible to all.
- The Courts. To create a safe space for all. To build an uplifting and inviting environment where the community can flourish.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
- The Community.
In and around BedStuy Brooklyn, home of HQ Tennis and Jackie Robinson Tennis Courts
Earth Day MEET, GREET, and CLEAN ( April 22, 2021, from 11 am -1 pm).Community members will come together to beautify their space at Jackie Robinson tennis courts. We need community members to volunteer in the clean-up process. We also need Gloves, bags, brooms, dustpans, and water. The purpose of this day is to get long-term community members, the most vulnerable members of our community, and new community members to connect and engage with each other in a space that’s meant for everyone in the community to access. The tennis courts at Jackie Robinson playground have been in the BedStuy community for more than 30 years but have only recently seen an increase in usage from many of the new community members. This is particularly important as the community is currently facing a wave of mass displacement that is rendering long-term residents unable to access spaces that may have the greatest beneficial impact on them. Participate in creating beautiful, clean, and safe tennis courts may increase long-term residents in utilizing the space and bridge a gap between the two types of residents.
Community(quality) Hour – 2-hour open court time – (May 4 – June 22, 2021).
The purpose of HQ Community classes is to bring the community together, end gun violence and grow the game of tennis at Jackie Robinson Tennis courts. These community classes will be catered to the minorities of the Jackie Robinson community. By bringing together different minority groups’ age, race, gender, sexuality, religion, socioeconomics we will bridge gaps we will create an honest reflection of our community on the court. HQ Foundation will host 8-weekly 2-hour open court time for FREE at Jackie Robinson. These openly shared court times will encourage the community to come together and communicate ways to end gun violence.Email [email protected] to volunteer or bring friends to participate
HQ Tennis Hitter’s List
This list is composed of members of the Jackie Robinson community looking to connect with other members to play, practice, and improve their game. Break down how to support and participate: sign up to be on the hitters’ list, provide time and contact info to find a partner to play.
Other Community Resources:
– HQ Tennis Jr.
– Academy
– Break the Love
– Kings County Tennis League
– NYJTL
– HQTA
– The YMCA
– Synergy Youth
– Pathway Tennis Foundation - The Children.
The Dream of a Child Scholarship – help us sponsor a child and family to join HQ Jr. Academy. Help us sponsor a child with a dream and a passion. Awards go to students who have made a positive impact on their communities and demonstrate courage, strength, and wisdom as shown through volunteer service.
Scholarship categories:
– Afterschool ($2,000)
– Winter Camp($2,000-$5,000)
– Summer camps($5,000-$8,000)To be eligible, you must :
-Be a legal resident of NY state
-Have engaged in a volunteer activity that occurred during the 12 months prior to the date of application
– Player Statement Upload 200 words maximum statement about how you can use your tennis skills to improve your world.
Entry period: December 12- February 15
Winners Announced: March 20 -
The Courts.
The historic Jackie Robinson tennis courts have been in the BedStuy community for over 100 years. These iconic courts that once hosted a small baseball field have been a safe and welcoming space for thousands of people over the years. Housed between two public housing buildings the newly gentrified neighborhood has been suffering from a disconnected community, resulting in gun violence. One of the major initiatives of HQ Foundation is to create a safe and beautiful space where everyone can experience tennis together. HQF is excited to announce a fundraising opportunity for community members to join in on beautifying Jackie Robinson. The new courts will still have their authentic vibe and 4 tennis courts but will be resurfaced and repainted ensuring safe play for everyone to enjoy. Jackie Robinson will be a beacon for accessible quality tennis programming.
The best part is that you the community will get to help with fundraising and construction, the goal is to break ground in Fall/ Winter 2021. The budget for “New Jackie” is $400k. The USTA has agreed to match donations up to $20,000. WE NEED YOUR HELP. This community project is a once in a lifetime investment that will not only produce an outstanding and safe place where people of all ages can explore and play, but will also serve as a tangible model for community involvement, cooperation, and leadership that will leave a lasting impact on the community for years to come.
HQ Foundation invites you to join us in supporting this project by making a tax-deductible donation.
Resurface and beautify the courts: This project consists of rehabilitating four existing 78- foot tennis courts at Jackie Robinson. A Slip Sheet Overlay will enable the installation of new pavement to bridge over the existing structural cracks in the existing asphalt pavement; thereby reducing cost from asphalt removal and disposal. Installing the Slip Sheet Overlay will include:
– New Fencing: Removal and re-installation of fencing system at the new pavement elevations.
– Crack Sealing: Clean and seal all existing cracks.
– Trench drain: To protect the court surface and pavement from water damage
– Court Resurfacing: Raise the finished court surface and establish the proper tennis court slope. Install 3” asphalt pavement. Apply acrylic sports surfacing.
– Landscaping: Re-do lawn areas around courts to intercept any stormwater. Rebuild the tennis court walkway to meet the elevation of the new walkway
Total Estimated Cost: $300,000
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Bubble: We plan to purchase a bubble and installment system to address the concern of members during the winter seasons. Additional lights will be installed to increase visibility indoors. Along with new curtains and dividers in order to maintain court privacy, safety, focus, and play.
Total Estimated Cost: $50,000
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Lights: We will improve tennis court safety and enable players to continue their games into the night if so desired.
Total Estimated Cost: $15,000
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Windscreen: We intend to add beauty to the park which will further advance our plan of creating a safe and inviting atmosphere. Windscreens cut down on noise and visual distraction, reduce wind and provide shade without reducing ventilation
Total Estimated Cost: $1,000
With this project, we intend to build and create a safe space to offer opportunities for everyone to experience tennis. HQFoundations envisions our High-Quality programs at “New Jackie” maximizing the true potential of the park and community.
Sponsorship Levels: The following sponsorship levels are available. Individuals and businesses that wish to donate in this manner will be recognized on the HQ Foundation website.
Bronze- $1,000 – $5,000
Silver – $5,000 – $9,999
Gold – $10,000- $24,999
Platinum- $25,000