Love To Serve
Tennis & Education Foundation
Providing high quality tennis, educational, and college prep programs to Chicago’s youth.
Who are we?
Mission
Love To Serve, Inc. Tennis and Education Foundation (LTS) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide quality tennis and education programs that contribute to positive youth development, improve student academic outcomes, and build knowledge and skills for future success in college and careers. Our goal is to break down barriers, nurture potential, and rewrite narratives fostering equity-driven futures where every youth is resilient and equipped for success in academia and beyond. Our programs contribute to youth development in a supportive and safe environment and build knowledge and transferrable skills for future success in college and careers.
History
LTS was founded in 1992 by L. LaMont Bryant, a tennis professional and former school teacher. Coach Bryant recognized the need for a program that would provide access to the non-traditional sport of tennis, particularly for under-served youth in Chicago. His goal was to establish an organization that would keep impressionable urban youth off the streets by creating an arena for them to participate in structured tennis and academic programs after school, on weekends, and throughout the summer. Through hard work, dedication, and the development of strategic partnerships, LTS has become a nationally recognized organization serving hundreds of student athletes annually. Today, Love to Serve is run by Executive Director Lori James, a Chicago native who grew up in the Englewood Community.
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Thousands of students
prepared for future success in college and careers
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32 years of service
to Chicago’s under-served youth community
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Nationally recognized
serving hundreds of student athletes annually
Programs
Developmental Tennis Programs
Tennis programs for youth ages 7 to 18 provides year-round (indoors from October to June and outdoors from July to September) tennis training for beginners to tournament level players. The goal of this programming is to encourage participants to matriculate into the College Readiness Program.
Pathway to Excellence:
College Readiness & ACT/SAT Prep
LTS helps develop and prepare students to be successful in their home lives, both on the tennis court and in the classroom. Specifically, the program will provide student athletes with academic support, educational enrichment, college preparation and tennis training.
Workforce Development Apprenticeship Teaching & Training
This program prepares youth and young adults with the teaching skills necessary to be hired to provide tennis instruction at Chicago Park District sites and various other recreational tennis program sites.
What Our Students Say
"Even though I was a public-school teacher and a tennis coach, Coach Bryant was also one of my life teachers, giving me lessons and advice on how to succeed that I have carried through many years in education. Having begun my career in Chicago, I am currently working and living in Colombia, South America."
Marc K. Bickham, Ed.D.
College Placement Counselor Colegio Jefferson—Yumbo, Cali Valle del Cauca, Colombia
"Coach Bryant was more than a tennis coach. He was a father figure, therapist, advisor, educator and of course avid supporter. I carry the lessons that I learned from Coach Bryant in my daily life to this day!”
Cameron Shanklin
Public Health Professional Former LTS Student and coach Resides in Miami, FL
"Love To Serve is more than a Tennis Academy for urban youth to help build their tennis skills. LTS promotes self-confidence, self-esteem, fitness and a spirit of comradery through tennis.”
Aquela E. Moore
Project Manager, Former LTS Student Resides in Chicago, IL
"I will always be thankful to Coach Bryant for opening the door for me to teach and coach tennis. Coach Bryant wasn't just a boss, he was a mentor who believed in me and challenged me to grow. Coach Bryant's leadership and dedication to improving lives have been a true inspiration to me and many others."
Norman Houston
Former LTS Tennis Coach Tennis Coach for the Austin Tennis Academy Resides in Austin, TX
"Coach Bryant was more than a tennis coach, he was a guiding force in my life and I will carry his life lessons with me forever.”
Jirmiah Leverette
Social Worker and PhD. candidate Resides in Chicago, IL
