Children At Risk

About the Children At Risk Program

The ultimate goal of the Israel Tennis & Education Centers’ Children At Risk Program is youth empowerment by employing a time-tested method of combining sport, social-emotional learning, and mentorship within a pressure-free, nurturing environment where children can feel supported, loved, and empowered.

ITEC strategically locates its centers primarily in disadvantaged geographic areas throughout Israel to work with children at risk and immigrant populations.

Working with those who know the community best, local leaders, schools, municipalities, and stakeholders, ITEC identifies at-risk youth and engages them in constructive activities such as tennis lessons, fitness instruction, group counseling, tutoring, mentoring, and educational enrichment. Through this holistic approach, positive values and healthy behavior patterns are instilled, putting youth on the path to success.

Head Start Program

ITEC’s Head Start Program was founded by Andy Ram, ITEC Alumni and 3-time Grand Slam Doubles Champion, in honor of his father, Ami Ram, to strengthen communities by providing opportunities for at risk children living outside of city cores. Through the game of tennis and enrichment workshops, the goal of this program is to empower the future generation of Israeli children to grow into the leaders of tomorrow. Partnering with Sports Values Association, ITEC is giving children in the geographical and social periphery of Israel incredible opportunities they would not have otherwise, connecting them with inspiring people from all different professions and cultures. We believe in what the next generation of children in Israel can accomplish with the right tools and support. That’s why Andy Ram founded this program; to make a tangible difference, in honor of his late father, who made all the difference in Andy’s life.

Embrace

The Embrace Program represents ITEC’s most comprehensive and holistic initiative for youth at risk to date. The program provides children with group counselling, mentoring, social and educational enrichment activities, tennis lessons and fitness instruction. Youth are taught socially acceptable, healthy patterns of behavior, and the program provides them with the tools to manage the pressure and responsibilities of home and school. Social outings and group activities are also organized for participants throughout the year that enable the children to develop friendships, enhance trust in their peers, and strengthen their group identity.

Ethiopian Integration Embrace Program

Through the Ethiopian Integration Embrace Program, ITEC provides an opportunity for children of this community to integrate fully into Israeli society, all through the game of tennis that combines sport, values of winning and losing, responsibility, leadership and acceptance of the other. Integrating the children into mixed groups is important because the children feel equal to their Israeli peers, and they do not feel segregated. The tennis court becomes a mediator and tool to empower the children. On court the boys and girls find a common language to communicate and build friendships.

English Language Fluency Program

In ITEC’s English Language Fluency Program, youth are introduced to conversational English through two informal educational settings: on-court instruction and classroom discussion. Using the experience of tennis as a basis for language learning, youth develop the skills to overcome any reluctance they may have to learning and speaking English, and attain an appreciation and comfort conversing in English. The experience instills in non-English speaking Israeli children the foundation and confidence necessary to become proficient bilingual speakers.

Individual Scholarships

ITEC offers scholarships to children at risk who wish to participate in tennis programs, yet are unable to afford the costs. ITEC never turns a child away for any reason, including financial hardships.