NJTL Network: Sharing Our Stories - Rodney Street Tennis & Tutoring

Summer camp means full days, with mornings dedicated to tennis instruction and afternoons focusing on academic enrichment. Kids explore math through hip hop with Lyrical Math, dive into reading and writing with AmeriCorps support, and participate in everything from swimming and science to arts and crafts. Group trips to events like the US Open and City Open help expose young players to the broader world of tennis.
 

“We want to give them experiences that build confidence and curiosity,” Johnson said. “Tennis is the constant; the learning never stops.”

Rodney Street’s junior coaching program allows teens to work their way up: starting as volunteers, then earning stipends, and eventually taking on paid positions. They can go as far as to receive coaching certifications, participate in online academics through Windward Academy, and gain critical life and job skills along the way.
 

“Our teens are stepping into leadership roles. They’re not just learning how to hit a ball. They’re learning how to teach, how to lead, and how to succeed,” Johnson said.
 

When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted in-person programming, Rodney Street quickly pivoted by offering virtual tennis, academic sessions, and SEL workshops. The organization also hand-delivered food, clothing, and care packages to families in need.
 

“That time showed us who we really are,” Johnson said. “We’re not just a tennis program. We’re a community support system.”
 

That commitment continues. Throughout the school year, Rodney Street runs in-school and after-school programs, reaching 300 to 400 kids daily. In the summer, it expands to serve entire neighborhoods, often in collaboration with groups like the Boys & Girls Clubs, Girls Inc., YMCA, Read Aloud Delaware and Police Athletic Leagues.
 

“We show up,” Johnson said simply. “Wherever there are kids who need us, that’s where we’ll be.”

Each year, Rodney Street awards scholarships to graduating seniors, helping ease the path to college. Alumni have gone on to attend universities across the country and enter the workforce with the skills and support they gained through the program.
 

Most recently, Rodney Street joined four other NJTL chapters at McCaskey High School in Lancaster, Pa., for the Middle States NJTL Invitational. The day was filled with tennis, friendly competition, and camaraderie, and featured participants from Advantage Lancaster, Greater Pottstown Tennis & Learning, NJTL of Trenton, and Tennis Central.
 

“We’re stronger together,” he said. “When we share ideas, lift each other up, and stay focused on the kids, we all win.”
 

As Rodney Street grows, so does the need for funding, volunteers, and partners.
 

“Every time someone donates, coaches a clinic, or shows up for our kids, they’re helping us say yes to another opportunity,” Johnson said. “Yes to a child who’s never picked up a racquet. Yes to a teen who needs a first job. Yes to a future that looks a little brighter.”

Lake also coaches the girls’ tennis team at a local private high school, where her favorite phrase often echoes: “Tennis is a game of errors.”

“Success often comes not from perfection, but from managing mistakes better than others,” she said. “In life, just like in tennis, those who learn from their errors and stay mentally strong tend to come out ahead. Every mistake is a chance to grow and gain an edge.”