Empowerment Center youngsters offered their first tennis experience

CAMBRIDGE – With shiny new red and blue tennis rackets in hand, 11 youngsters attending the Cambridge Empowerment Center’s Summer Program joined 64 other kids at Glasglow Street Tennis Courts near Sandy Hill Elementary School June 24-28.

The session at the popular tennis camp conducted by instructor Mohamad Dajani’s team in partnership with the Dorchester County Parks and Recreation Department became a reality thanks to funds raised from friends of Empowerment Center volunteer Katie Day, whose grandchildren attended and enjoyed the camp.

The idea was sparked when Day, a volunteer tutor at the Center, commented to a second grader with long braids she was working with on her resemblance to tennis great Serena Williams.

When the girl replied, “Who’s Serena Williams?” Day proceeded to incorporate her and sister Venus’ story into an exercise using 10 spelling words that day.

Eager for the youngsters to know the Williams sisters’ inspirational story, she brought several library books about them to the Center. Day also purchased similar books for the Empowerment Center’s own library.

Day, who also volunteers with local organization Partners in Giving, got the go ahead from Center Director Sharon Chester to raise funds to allow a limited number of youngsters to participate in the camp.

Asking friends for donations, she soon had received $1,200 to cover the fee for 11 kids to experience tennis firsthand. She also went shopping for new tennis rackets at Walmart for each to use at the lessons.

Day, who “personally loves tennis,” grew up in Salisbury, which she called “a big tennis town.”

She was especially eager for the youngsters who had never done so to be able to experience the sport.

“It’s very accessible; you don’t have to be a member of an exclusive club, you can play on wonderful, free public courts,” she said, and it offers intergenerational appeal for both boys and girls. “Who knows,” Day said, “maybe a future Coco Graff or Serena Williams will discover her own love of tennis here in our community?”

Tammy Washington, Empowerment Center Program Director, accompanied the group who were transported to Glasgow Courts via a bus from Pleasant Day Adult Medical Day Care Center Monday through Thursday, June 24 through 27 for their 9:15-10:30 am lesson. Because the Empowerment Center is closed Fridays, parents and guardians provided rides on June 28.

Those participating included: Camryn Smith, 8, Zoey Wilder, 8, Taquion Williams, 12, Taveion Williams, 9, Mircale Johnson, 11, Serenity Cephas, 10, Masen Batson, 9, Loden Burris, 8, Darion Stanely, 11, Arbri McNamara, 8, and A’vieon Mitchell, 8.

While six kids arrived for Monday’s first session, by Wednesday five more had joined them, all eagerly taking part in small groups led by experienced Dajani team instructors, who themselves had attended the camp while under the direction of legendary former Cambridge South Dorchester tennis coach Bill Busick, who has resumed helping out with the program since returning to the area two years ago.

“This camp is very special to me,” said Dajani, who felt called to help keep it going after Busick left.

Now in his 10th year teaching computer science at North Dorchester High School, Dajani had been a CSD student intent on playing soccer, until his math teacher, tennis team assistant coach Jackie Wood, kept suggesting that he “just try it.”

“That first time, I was hooked. It changed my life,” Dajani said.

A regular at Busick’s summer camp, he also played on the championship CSD High School Tennis Team, recalling his proud legacy as a “tennis powerhouse.” Many of the 10 or so instructors on his camp’s staff are also former camp and CSD players, “so preserving the program is personal to them,” Dajani said.

“It’s a lifetime sport, people of all ages play. I especially love seeing parents and kids able to play together,” he said.

Although his own father passed away before he was able to experience that with him, Dajani looks forward to being able to do so with his two sons.

Currently the camp’s three morning sessions are open to youngsters between the ages of 3 and 18, at an individual fee of $75 ($85 after Memorial Day).

“What Katie Day and the Empowerment Center are doing, giving these kids the opportunity to play tennis, is special and they should get a lot of credit for it.” Dajani said. “I got the chance that changed my life, and hopefully, so will they.”

Dajani also offers individual lessons throughout the year and hopes to expand the opportunity to offer the camp, indoors through at the Leonard’s Lane Parks and Recreation Center.

For more information about the camp and lessons, contact Mohamad Dajani at 443-362-0509. For more information about the Cambridge Empowerment Center at 615 Pine Street call 410-901-1397.