Leo Reynoso possesses many abilities. He can return serves, win tennis tournaments and teach the game even to pros. Perhaps most importantly, he keeps kids busy and safe when they are out of school and destined for trouble.
Reynoso, the President of Washington Heights Tennis Association, has been coordinating tennis programs for youths in the child-overpopulated Washington Heights Community in New York City for six years. Their year round program, sponsored by individuals within the community and by a number of institutions, includes a Summer Camp, a Winter Program, and two open tournaments each for both children and adults.
The Summer Camp, which includes kids from the ages 5-18 of all ability levels, runs from July to August at Inwood Hill Park in New York City. According to Reynoso, kids that want to participate in the Camp can show up on site, register, and begin playing immediately. Even though the Camp has grown by 20 kids each year, according to Reynoso, they never turn a kid back who is interested in joining. The Camp offers lessons two days a week for three hours each day.
The camp, according to Reynoso, offers different types of instruction depending on the ability of the participant. Beginners learn the fundamentals of the game and the basic strokes, while the intermediate and advanced players play games and learn strategy. "We want to initiate and grow the kids," Reynoso said about the 160 children that participated in his program this year. According to Reynoso, the Camp is able to use up to six outdoor courts for games and lessons.
The Winter Program is more restricted. The Dick Savitt Tennis Center in Columbia University allows Reynoso to use two indoor courts, which can only accommodate up to 40 kids. According to Reynoso, the 40 most dedicated kids, who along with their parents, support the program and are committed to playing tennis for the long haul, are chosen for the Winter Program. "We don't give scholarships to the children that don't show much of an effort," he said.
The kids who are lucky enough to be part of the Winter Program, participate in drills and games once a week for three hours. According to Reynoso, three quarters of the kids that are a part of the Winter Program are also involved in the camp. Reynoso said the Winter Program, which also includes beginner, intermediate and advanced juniors from ages 5-18, has been running for two years and used to take place at the Harlem Tennis Center.
Reynoso, unlike the kids that are part of his program, did not start playing tennis until he was in high school. He has achieved many accomplishments since than, including twice winning the New York State Open Championship, a tournament sponsored by the American Tennis Association. Besides winning several other tournaments, he has coached tennis for about 25 years and teaches art at the Manhattan Country School. He is very thankful for all the people who fund his programs.
While these programs are intended to help the kids become better players, its real aim is much larger. "I want the kids to reach higher levels," Reynoso said. "I want to get them out of trouble, provide opportunities, create friends, and allow them to be safe." He is trying to help more kids reach higher levels by running another summer camp this year. If Reynoso decides to sit back and think about those he has helped, he would have to smile. "I feel like,"Reynoso said, "I've done something special in their lives."