The Capital Region Youth Tennis Foundation's (CRYTF) 15-LOVE Program has successfully completed over two decades of programming in the Capital Region. What was merely a dream (of reaching out in positive ways to inner-city youth) in June 1990, has indeed become a reality.

The late Arthur Ashe was instrumental in helping found the 15-LOVE Program. He himself got his start on public courts; his philosophy and ours is to "use tennis to teach the game of life." While there are many inner city tennis programs operating throughout the United States, 15-LOVE operates independently. Many other programs are purely recreational, whereas 15-LOVE's mission is focused upon the whole child. It is a program of prevention.

We operate throughout the Capital Region, with special emphasis on the inner cities of Albany, Troy, Schenectady and Rensselaer. Over the years, the program has evolved on a year round basis, impacting more than 40,000 youth and their families.

Mission Statement

Organization Leadership

Executive Director Amber Marino   ambermarino@15love.org		Amber Marino, 15-LOVE’s Executive Director, has been with 15-LOVE since the summer of 1996. What began as a summer job has turned into a second family and career. Amber graduated from The College of Saint Rose in 1997 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Mathematics. After teaching for two years, she went on to graduate school at Villanova University, graduating in 2001 with a Master’s in Counseling and Human Relations. At the end of that program, she moved back to the Albany area to accept the position as 15-LOVE’s Executive Director.
	Amber’s personal background and experiences in the classroom and counseling at-risk high school students, have given her a unique perspective on running a non-profit. Luckily, her father was a business teacher and owner, and instilled a strong sense of what it takes to run a successful business. Her first business experience was as a child, helping to run her grandmother’s corner grocery store, which was more about her grandmother’s connections with the people in the town than the bread and milk they were there to buy, and that sense of community is one of the biggest attributes Amber brings to 15-LOVE.
Program Director Domingo Montes   domingomontes@15love.org		Domingo Montes, 15-LOVE’s Program Director, has been a part of 15-LOVE family since the age of 12. Domingo started as a participant at Lincoln Park in Albany. In 1994, Domingo became one of the first members of the 15-LOVE Excellence Program. Domingo attended Albany High School and played 4 years for the varsity tennis. During his senior year, Domingo would team up with fellow 15-LOVE participant and Albany High School classmate, Nithin Raikar, to win the Big 10 Doubles Title.
	Domingo is a 2002 graduate of Lincoln University in Pennsylvania where he played on the tennis team for 3 years.  Domingo earned his Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and Spanish at Lincoln. During his summers Domingo continued to work at 15-LOVE as a tennis instructor and helped with mentoring other 15-LOVE participants. After graduation Domingo taught for 4 years in Pennsylvania before returning to Albany. Domingo returned to 15-LOVE full time in 2009 as 15-LOVE’s Program Director where he overseas all of the day and evening tennis programs.  Domingo coordinates staff and volunteers for all the school and after school program sites and was part of the team that helped reach over 3,100 inner-city youth in 2011.
Director of Development Katie Genovese   katiegenovese@15love.org		Katie Genovese, 15-LOVE’s Director of Development joined the 15-LOVE team in September 2009. Katie is a 2003 graduate of The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY with a degree in Public Communications.   From 2004-2009 Katie worked at her alma mater in the Office of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving as the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving.
	During her time at Saint Rose she handled the College’s alumni events that were held throughout the year including the College’s annual Reunion Weekend, created communication pieces for alumni including event brochures and invitations and solicited annual gifts and multi-year pledges to assure overall success in meeting the established goals for the College’s annual fund.   In September 2009, an opportunity led her to 15-LOVE.  Katie will take her knowledge and success in securing donations from prospects, corporations and foundations, and work to accomplish the annual goals set by 15-LOVE’s Board of Directors.  She will work with the 15-LOVE team and the Board of Directors to adhere to the mission of the organization and diligently work to enhance the visibility and annual donations to the 15-LOVE program.
Education Director Maxine Brisport   maxinebrisport@15love.org		Maxine Brisport joined 15-LOVE in November 2010 as the Education Director.  Her primary duties are the College Prep and Leadership Program. Maxine is a dedicated and compassionate School Psychologist who is eager and motivated to participate in community based programs to enhance the academic and postsecondary outcome of inner city students.   For the past 20 years she has shown the commitment to optimizing student success and ensuring that each student achieves at his or her academic potential. Maxine consistently promotes services and programs to ensure the academic success of all students, regardless of background, academic potential and aptitude.
	Maxine has a Masters of Education degree, with an Advanced Certification in School Psychology along with a Post Graduate work in the area of School Neuropsychological. She continues to enhance her academic background by attending both local and national conference in the areas of School Psychology, Community Involvement and Youth Leadership Programs.  She is well known for her community service and leadership in various nonprofit community organizations.  Overall, Maxine is a constant presence in programs and activities that are geared towards youths within the Capital District.

The 15-LOVE Board of Directors is composed of committed, able, and ready community leaders. Its members represent the ethnic, gender, and geographic diversity of the area. The 15-LOVE Board meets six times a year while Board committees meet monthly.

Seasonal Staff - Fall and Winter Coaches

Our instructors receive extensive training and act as positive role models with our youth participants. The primary success of the program in fulfilling our mission of positively impacting the lives of young people stems from the relationship developed between our instructors and participants. We have an outstanding group of instructors, who do an extraordinary job providing encouragement and building self-esteem. Many of our instructors are, themselves, graduates of the program.

	Joshua Fields Union College ’15   Josh has been a part of 15-LOVE since the age of 8.  Josh spends his summer as a tennis instructor with 15-LOVE.  This fall and winter he will be helping with a tennis program at Girls Inc. in Schenectady.	.		Grace Smith Emma Willard ’13   Grace has been volunteering with 15-LOVE for the past 2 years.  Grace will be assisting Program Director Domingo Montes in some day to day activities.
	Jasmine Horton Siena College ’12   Jasmine has been a part of 15-LOVE since the age of 13 and is a tennis instructor over the summer.  Jasmine is leading an after-school program at Myers Middle School in Albany.			Stephanie Wilhelm   The College of Saint Rose ’13   Stephanie joined the 15-LOVE team in 2011 as a summer instructor.  This winter she will be assisting Program Director Domingo Montes with day to day activities.
	Simon Ling Florida State University '17   Simon has been a tennis instructor with 15-LOVE for the past 2 summers. Simon will be teaching tennis programs in Albany and Schenectady this fall and winter.

Programming

15-LOVE challenges tennis skills learned through:

Game Days/Jamborees - 15-LOVE coaches conduct special activities on designated days for competition and prizes. Participants from several sites come together to compete and have fun. Program trophies are awarded for each site and age group for best attendance, best attitude, most improved player, and the outstanding participant award.

Junior Team Tennis - Participants through sponsorship of board members and friends of 15-LOVE attended the professional World Team Tennis matches held at Schenectady's Central Park. More than 40 registered 15-LOVE participants play in the USTA's Team Tennis junior leagues.

15-LOVE encourages multi-cultural experiences through:

Field Trips - The 15-LOVE Program has had the opportunity to introduce a variety of experiences to its participants not limited to tennis. Tennis events which are attended by youth include annual trips to New York City and Connecticut for tournaments, and Arthur Ashe Kids Day at the US Open. Trips have also included local plays, movies, and museum trips.

15-LOVE advocates education through:

15-LOVE Book Power Clubs - 15-LOVE has developed an after school reading program for Arbor Hill Elementary School and Giffen Elementary School students, utilizing over two dozen adult volunteers. The volunteers strive to increase each participants ability and confidence in reading and writing skills, to make reading a pleasurable part of each child's life, and to provide books for the children to own.

Denise McCoy "Little d" Memorial Scholarship - In 2004, the Capital Region Youth Tennis Foundation (CRYTF), which operates the 15-LOVE Program, in cooperation with Kevin McCoy, Denise McCoy's husband, established a scholarship fund in her memory. 15-LOVE and Denise share a passion for education and the belief that anyone with the desire to attend an institution of higher education should be able to find resources available to help make that happen.

Each year, CRYTF seeks to award scholarships to deserving students who have participated in the 15-LOVE program at any point during their lives. The scholarship is generally given for four years, and typical awards are $1,000 per academic year (for a total of $4,000).  Scholarship recipients are expected to maintain contact with 15-LOVE annually to report on their progress while in school, through a January progress report.

15-LOVE College Prep Program - High School students in the 15-LOVE Program are eligible to participate in the College Prep Program. Through group meetings and one-on-one sessions, the students in the College Prep Program work through a four-year curriculum that: helps freshmen determine their talents and interests, aids sophomores in exploring careers that match their talents, interests and personel goals, assists juniors in locating colleges that have the programs of study needed for their career goals and at which they would flourish, and guides seniors by providing structure and motivation during the college application and financial aid processes.

Today's Teens - Tomorrow's Leaders - 15-LOVE realizes the need for responsible and effective leaders in our communities, our cities, our country and the world. We need leaders in the workplace, in government, and in charitable organizations. Who will become the leaders of the future? The answer is… the teenagers today.  The Today’s Teens – Tomorrow’s Leaders Program offered by 15-LOVE is an easy Ways for Teens to Learn Leadership Skills. The Today’s Teens – Tomorrow’s Leaders Program provides a curriculum that is designed to enhance the leadership skills of youth by providing practical topics, youth driven discussions, and hands-on activities.

Essay Contests - As a means of integrating literacy, essay contests are conducted on designated topics. Winners are chosen by age group and receive prizes for their winning entries.

Frequenty asked questions of the 15-LOVE program...

Yes. As amazing as it may seem, 15-LOVE classes are completely free.

How do I sign up?

Just show up at a class and we'll have a registration form for you to fill out. You can begin to play right away!

Who can participate?

15-LOVE's mission is to serve inner-city youth, ages 4 - 18. We welcome everyone, of every background and tennis ability, including summer lessons for adults. Please check our current schedule for classes for your age group / ability level.

Are classes held throughout the winter?

Yes. The winter schedule is limited. We hold classes in some schools, boys and girls clubs, and community centers throughout the winter. There is at least one free open class every week at a racket club. Call or check the current schedule for more information.

Do I need a racket?

No. 15-LOVE loans out rackets for use during our classes. Participants are welcome to bring their own racket if they have one.

How is the program funded?

We hold one large golf and tennis fundraiser each year that supports 25% of 15-LOVE's operating budget. We also apply for competitive grants, but most of our money comes from corporate and individual donations.

How can I contribute to 15-LOVE?

15-LOVE runs entirely on donated funds, and is made stronger through donated time and talent. We've made it easy for you to give a gift online.

How do I apply to be an instructor? Do I need to be a great tennis player to be a 15-LOVE instructor?

The most important part of being a 15-LOVE instructor is a desire to work with children and positively influence their lives. We can teach you how to teach tennis, but not how to love kids. Our off-courts are a big part of our lessons, so you need to be able to talk to kids in a peer group setting. Call for more information (518-438-2039).