Lobs and Lessons program receives $20,000 grant to expand summer program

By Chris Landrum
VCU Communications and Public Relations

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Lobs and Lessons program was awarded a $20,000 “Aces for Kids” grant from the United States Tennis Association to continue development of its summer program.

Lobs and Lessons, part of the Division of Community Engagement, introduces the children to tennis, and is combined with a life skills development curriculum, which includes how to get along with others, controlling emotions and practicing healthy lifestyle habits. The program also stresses the value of higher education and the importance of saving money.

“The grant from USTA Serves helps our program by allowing us to grow and add to the menu of services we can provide to underserved youth in our area,” said Kathleen Bowles, director of Lobs and Lessons. “USTA Serves helps our program financially but also with a tremendous amount of resources on working with youth, education and tennis.”

Lobs and Lessons started in 2004 as an after-school program to reach out to disadvantaged youth in the Richmond area. The program offered its first summer camp in 2008, and had about 100 participants. Lobs and Lessons currently has about 75 students enrolled weekly.

The grant will increase the scope of Lobs and Lessons’ summer program, adding new programs, lengthening the duration of the program and expanding its capacity. The new programs include soccer, swimming and gymnastics, as well as increased academic and enrichment programs.

“Our goal is to reach 200 youth for this summer,” said Bowles.

As part of the grant, Lobs and Lessons will incorporate USTA’s QuickStart tennis programming into the curriculum, which includes shorter courts and more age appropriate tennis equipment.

“Aces for Kids” is a national initiative of USTA Serves, the charitable arm of the USTA. It strives to promote healthy lifestyles by providing underserved, at-risk children the opportunity to learn to play tennis and improve their academic skills in a structured format. 

To date, more than 500 children from eight community partners and schools have attended or attend the program. The program is based in the Mary and Frances Youth Center located at 120. S. Linden St.