Impact Series
Stories written by our ICT coaches and employees to help illustrate meaningful moments in our mission for others to enjoy.
Vol. 41: Designing for Good, celebrating 75 years of ICT with CSP
Through a recent partnership with graphic design students from Concordia St. Paul, discover how creativity and community came together. Explore the designs created by students to celebrate InnerCity Tennis’s 75th year, providing real-world experience that will impact them well beyond the classroom. Full story here.
Author: Danielle Ganje, Communications Manager
Vol. 40: Happy Holidays with ICT Community Programs!
From local gift drives to holiday festivals, the InnerCity Tennis Community Programs team has been busy making an impact across Minneapolis this season. Discover how our coaches and volunteers are connecting with families, serving over 1,700 students, and sharing the love of the game one holiday event at a time. Full story here.
Author: Grahamm Kellogg, Community Programs Manager, & Isaac Olevson, Community Programs Staff
Vol. 39: Play, Learn, Rally! Serving up Tennis in the Halls!
Discover the transformative power of a coach-mentor relationship, proving the most important lessons are often learned off the court. Learn how one student applied the values of teamwork and perseverance, gained on the court, to conquer challenges in the classroom and beyond. Full story here.
Author: Grahamm Kellogg, Community Programs Manager, InnerCity Tennis
Vol. 38: How Hamline University and InnerCity Tennis Elevate the Court
A winning serve – ICT would not be what it is today without the unique and impactful partnership with Hamline University, a relationship that benefits both the university’s tennis program and the broader community. Full story here.
Author: Issac Olevson, Community Programs Staff & Communications Intern, InnerCity Tennis
Vol. 37: Hall STEM Academy Family Day
InnerCity Tennis has brought tennis and joy to the faces of countless kids through Tennis in the Schools programming. Our involvement with Hall STEM Academy has never stopped at just tennis during gym class. Discover how PE Teacher Rachel Stewart works to engage parents and families with ICT as partner. Full story here.
Author: Grahamm Kellogg, Community Programs Manager, InnerCity Tennis
Vol. 36: Tennis, Life, Community. Lessons for Life learned at TLC.
Recently, students experienced the transformative power of tennis at the Tennis & Life Camps Retreat at Gustavus. Beyond the court, they learned valuable life lessons, built friendships, and discovered the importance of positive attitude, effort, and sportsmanship. Full story here.
Author: Grahamm Kellogg, Community Programs Manager, InnerCity Tennis
Vol. 35: Asha’s Impact, A Legacy of Service & Inspiration
Asha is a dedicated youth volunteer who embodies the spirit of InnerCity Tennis. From her early days as a participant to her current role as a coach and leader, her impact on our community is undeniable. Full story here.
Author: Danielle Ganje, Communications Manager, InnerCity Tennis
Vol. 34: From Rackets to Results
Jack and Jill, Inc. team up with InnerCity Tennis to shape the leaders of tomorrow through tennis. Learn about an event hosted for over 150 teens, combining tennis, art, and leadership development. Full story here.
Author: Danielle Ganje, Communications Manager, InnerCity Tennis
Vol. 33: The Strength of the Wolf is in the Pack
How Partnership Academy and InnerCity Tennis Teamed Up to Create Winning Futures for Young Girls. Full story here.
Author: Coach Brady, Partnership Academy PE Teacher
Vol. 32: Doubles Victory in National Essay Competition
Discover how two rising stars triumphed, receiving National recognition in the USTA Foundation National Essay Competition. Full story here
Author: Nick Dunivant, Tennis Professional & Performance Programs Coordinator
Vol. 31: Beyond Courts & Classrooms
Once students are put in a position to succeed they don’t want to put the racquets down. By breaking down these barriers to play the sport, we not only create access to play tennis but also give kids an outlet to stay active. Full story here
Author: Grahamm Kellogg, Tennis Professional & Outreach Coach
Vol. 30: Tennis is for everyone.
As I reflect on the experience, the importance of using an intersectional lens to identify opportunities to further access and impact for all is profound. Full story here
Author: Mason Bultje, Manager of Community Engagement & Partnerships
Vol. 29: A Great Match
ICT uses tennis as a vehicle to create opportunities for coach-mentors to connect with students, and BBBS also uses activities to create space for these interactions to occur – a great match! Full story here
Author: Emily Shern, Communications & Design Manager
Vol. 28: ICT Takes on International Competition
We are so proud of our juniors for the way they compete with the best in the world and how they represent the InnerCity Tennis community. Full story here
Author: Mason Bultje, Manager of Community Engagement & Partnerships
Vol. 27: Program Site Progress
I observed multiple days of programming, where the PE teachers and ICT coaches worked passionately and deliberately to give the students an opportunity to find themselves in, and fall in love with the game of tennis. Full story here
Author: Emily Shern, Communications & Design Manager
Vol. 26: Rackets In Hands & Values in Hearts
Talent is universal, but access is not. We will continue to create greater access and opportunities by placing rackets in hands and our values in hearts far and wide across Minneapolis. Full story here
Author: Mason Bultje, Manager of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Vol. 25: From Student to Coach to Manager
Two decades of dedication, commitment, hard work, and passion is the least you could say when describing Dilcia’s service. Full story here
Author: Jamel McNutt, Marketing Intern
Vol 24: What Happens When Doors Are Open?
The QuickStart coaching position was created for people who want to learn and improve themselves, while giving back just as much to their own communities. Full story here
Author: Jamel McNutt, Marketing Intern
Vol 23: It’s More Than a Game, It’s a Way of Life
There are more than 8,000 recognized sports worldwide. Some involve teams and others are completely individual. For Natalie, she fell in love with one that is both. Full story here
Author: Jamel McNutt, Marketing Intern
Vol 22: Empowering Young Leaders
ICT’s Leadership Academy is all about providing youth with the opportunity to build leadership skills, meet new people, and prepare for life after high school. Full story here
Author: Laura Myers, Education Programs Manager
Vol 21: Bringing Families Together Through Reading
We were thrilled to see this challenge’s success among children and their families. Parents share how much fun they’ve had reading a new book together each day. Full story here
Author: Laura Myers, Education Programs Manager
Vol 20: Parents Worry that Students are
Falling Behind in School
Parents of K-12 children have multiple concerns about their children’s lives since the coronavirus outbreak. Falling behind in school is a key concern for 65% of parents. Lower-income parents of K-12 students are the most concerned about their children falling behind. Full story here
Author: Ann Wordelman, Associate Director
Vol 19: Research Shows Why InnerCity Tennis & Learning Matters
Last week we shared how committed our Outreach team is to running our InnerCity Tennis & Learning program for students on the North and South side. As you may remember, one mother expressed how valuable it was for her son to receive educational support, get back into a routine, socialize with peers, and enjoy physical activity. Full story here
Author: Ann Wordelman, Associate Director
Vol 18: It’s More Than a Game, It’s a Way of Life
A 12-year-old who is engaged, focused, and tries to apply what you’re teaching them is just not something we see that often in a summer recreation program. Full story here
Author: Kathy Alex, PTR Certified Teaching Professional, Head Coach 12U Programs
Vol 17: Los Dos Amigos
We can see students’ eyes light up when they get to work with a volunteer again and how they benefit from the structure our program provides, and we can see and hear their excitement when it comes time to play tennis. Full story here
Author: Mason Bultje, Northside Program Coordinator
Vol 16: InnerCity Tennis & Learning Program Enrollment Explodes – Volunteers are Needed Urgently
While families with more financial resources can hire tutors or have a parent stay home to assist their children, working-class families lack those options. Many are essential workers with limited flexibility both in their daily schedules and finances. Full story here
Author: Mason Bultje, Northside Program Coordinator
Vol 15: Northside Programs Get Kids Excited About Tennis, Learning and Vegetables!
It was amazing to hear students say to their parents, “We need to only play video games for an hour, and we need to eat more fruits and veggies! Full story here
Author: Mason Bultje, Northside Program Coordinator
Vol. 14: Excellence Team Assembles Kidspeed Kits for Minneapolis Youth
ICT Excellence Team members assembled 40 Kidspeed® Kits to share with kids around Minneapolis who are interested in learning the game but do not have any tennis equipment. Full story here
Author: ICT Education Programs Manager, Laura Myer
Vol. 13: Community Donations Provide Summer Activity Kits and Smiles for Northside Kids
Parents and kids were thrilled to receive these Summer Activity Kits filled with items that will enhance students’ education, tennis skills and nutrition. Full story here
Author: ICT Education Programs Manager, Laura Myers
Vol. 12: Adapting & Persevering through High Performance Programs
In early June, our High Performance coaches saw the obstacles ahead of us and quickly adapted to develop a program that could continue to improve our players’ techniques and conditioning. Full story here
Author: Coach Spencer Jones
Vol. 11: Why Representation in Reading Matters
Children need to see and read about characters just like them. Representation matters. Black Lives Matter. Full story here
Author: ICT Education Programs Manager, Laura Myers
Vol. 10: What is the Northside Legacy Program? Why is it Important?
If we take a closer look at our community and assess what life looks like for different areas and neighborhoods of Minneapolis, we quickly realize there are many systemic disparities. Full story here
Author: Mason Bultje, Northside Program Coordinator
Vol. 9: The Power of Perseverance On and Off Court
Tennis taught me how to keep my head up and persevere through hard matches, and it taught me how to walk through life with the same values I learned on the court. Full story here
Author: ICT Associate Board Member, Tori Sundholm
Vol. 8: Coaching Provides a Front Row Seat to Children’s Joy
When I looked at them, I saw myself. I knew I was in the right place and in the right position with ICT. Full story here
Author: Coach Mason Bultje
Vol. 7: From Turkmenistan to Minnesota
Due to her focus on the small details, she quickly excelled in the Advanced Green Ball program. She developed flawless technique that many who’ve coached her say reminds them of Roger Federer. Full story here
Author: Coach Ben Wheaton
Vol. 6: Enthusiastic Player Helps Elevate Others
When I first met Payton, it was very obvious that she was capable not only of being a great tennis player, but also of being a great leader for her group. Whenever I see her she always has a smile on her face. Full story here
Author: Coach Nick Dunivant
Vol. 5: Perseverance Paving the Way to Player’s Goals
I admire Greta’s perseverance and enthusiasm on the court. Over the summer and fall she kept grinding away and her confidence grew. Her ability to focus on the long-term process even in the face of discouraging short-term outcomes has allowed her game to flourish. Full story here
Author: Coach Spencer Jones
Vol. 4: Energy That Speaks Volumes
When I think about a special student we’ve impacted with our Outreach programming, one young player at the Nokomis-Wenonah campus jumps to mind. Our team delivers programming specifically designed for children on the autism spectrum at that site, and we’ve been doing so for 11 years now. This particular student has participated in our program for 3 years and is now 9 years old. Full story here
Author: Coach Dilcia Stromberg
Vol. 3: Our Youngest Players Celebrate and Inspire Our Coaches
Arthur and William are the best of friends. They live near each other and attend the same school in South Minneapolis. Together, they are learning to play tennis at InnerCity Tennis. Though they’re just beginning, Arthur and William love tennis and everything about it. They are 4 years old. Full story here
Author: Coach David Petersen
Vol. 2: See What Tennis Can Do?
These students face so many challenges every day, but when they are able to connect with caring adults and mentors like our ICT coaches, volunteers, and tennis community, it can make a bigger difference than any of us will know. Full story here
Author: Coach Mason Bultje
Vol. 1: Reading is Power!
“Coach Laura, remember at the beginning of the year when I never wanted to read? Now, I’m reading every time I’m here!” Full story here
Author: Maxton, 7 years old, Northside Legacy Program