good morning everybody. welcome to "viewpoint." i'm jim hand limit our focus this morning is on engaging and improving the lives of underserved youth in our community. through a model non-profit organization that has been changing lives for decades, the washington tennis and education foundation. our guest mike ragland t director of tennis at the east of capitol campus. e elaney the president of wtef and nicole johnson an alumna of the organization. welcome to "viewpoint." i want to start, if we can, i

have been watching since i've been in amazement since i've been here since about 1992 how many lives you folks have transformed young clooifs. not just the kids but the families, too. talk with the strurs off the bat about the mission statement for wtef. >> the washington tennis and education foundation is helping children through the combination of tennis and academics. tennis is the hook. lids love the sport, really get passionate about it. we're focused on the eld kangs. the kids are not in the courts unless they've been in the classroom, done their homework, et cetera, a very personalized approach we take. every single child that comes through our center is tested -- we understand at the beginning of the year where they're at academically, with math reading, vocabulary and set a very individualized plan we

have a math phd, dr. johnson, highlighted for black history month and our english phd as well who sed these plans and goes out for the kids throughout the years. >> you've got tremendous mentors all along the way. i want to bring you in nicole. you started with the program at 4. >> yes. >> what did it mean to you at that age and throughout your teenage years as well? >> i grew up in south d.c. and it was tennis across the street from where i live at. i just wanted to try the sport. i loved it ever since. >> you were hooked right off the bat. >> right off the bat. >> how long did you stay with the program. >> since my senior year of high school. >> really? >> yep. >> and i want to talk a little bit more about what you loved about tennis not just from 4, but really all the way up through high school, it is a unique sport in so many ways. i want to get into that. but the big news that we've

seen, mike, in the past few years and i've been involved, too, with the drive to make this happen in southeast, your brand new tennis facility, $10 million. for people who go out there, what will they see p. >> six indoor courts and nine outdoor courts for the kids we're looking the bring the kids to the point where they want to come to the center every day and enjoy being there. you can't imagine what these kids are going through in their lives. a lot of these kids have single parents. one parent or mother who is stressed out and overworked. they have brothers and sisters dropping out of school. they have friends are having babies at a young age. what we're trying to do -- this is a normal life for our kids. we're trying to give these kids a new normal. we try to get these kids to come out and to let them see positive role models.

we have teachers that work with these kids each and ref reday, to bring them back up to the right grade level as far as reading and math. we have tennis coaches who love to work with the kids, work with the kids every day. one thing about these kids, these kids know when you're telling them the truth or you are not. we care about all the kids at the center. we want to make sure these kids are safe, have a safe haven to come to ef tre day after school. so my job is to make sure every day that when these kids come through the door, that i'm there for those kids in every way. >> well put. elena, you talk a little about the northwest campus that's been here for ages, but to have it in their back yard in southeast makes a tremendous difference. >> it absolutely does. that's what we were seeing. we always had tremendous results with our academic and tennis programs. for 15 straight years we had kids going to college with athletic, academic scholarships, financial aid. to have the bigger impact, we

had to have a center in southeast. we had a number of strategic plans and won deferral funders who backed is but having it in our neighborhood so all the kids there -- it's been tremendous. nicole started in the program at 4. that's something that's very important with us. we want to start with the kids very young. we start kids at 4 or 5 years old stand by them every single day. the mike, the coaches and the teachers until the 12th grade. we're not just focused in middle school years or preschool. it's really important to us that we're with the kids. they'll be with us until they graduate from high school. >> it's truly an extended family. we've got a lot more to get to. as we go to break we'll put up the web add drels for the washington tennis and education foundation. if you'd like to donate or find out more, here is where you find it. maybe dough naed nate money or your time.

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welcome back to "viewpoint" again. we are highlighting a wonderful organization that has gotten national recognition over the years. it's the washington tennis and education foundation. we have alum with us nicole johnson, since the age of 4. talk a little about what the difference it made with your lives and with your other siblings and friends too. and without it, some of your other friends, what they missed out on. >> wtef impacted on my life a lot such as the grade mentorship, the guide daniels it helped me with my responsibilities, my confidence. because i know a lot of friends that i grew up with they got involved in the street life and the drugs and the crimes and whatnot. i think wtef, they changed my

life. >> mike, you see the direct correlation, whether it be dropouts or people staying in school staying off the streets. you see that connection. when they're in this program, they don't get into trouble. >> yes, i'm always looking at trying to bring the kids off the streets. what we want to really look at is how can i impact these kids in their lives? i was one of those kids. i was a great tennis player but i didn't have that direction in life. i didn't have anyone to push me in the right direction. we always say we want to give a kid an opportunity. how can they get an opportunity if they don't see an opportunity. wtef is giving kids an opportunity to see the opportunity. we have kids that come in every day, and some of the kids elect not to come back. it hurts me. it hurts me to the core that we're losing some kids. but eventually the kids will

turn around and show back up. that's what makes my day. it's a pleasure to come in each and every day to work with these kids and i look forward to it each and every day, and so do the staff. >> alana you played professionally for years. talk a little bit about -- the program is certainly more than about just tennis. if a child has to choose between a popular sport like football and basketball. washington has become a tennis town. what is it that sets tennis apart? what can tennis do for a young life? i know we can play it the rest of our lives? >> tennis we feel is very important because it's an individual sport. unfortunately these kids are often out there on the streets by themselves. with the other sports, football and basketball, they're team sports. individual sports teach you how to focus set goals. confidence in yourself. you're out there on your own you'll deal with the praes sure and handle it.

it's also very much a thinking sport. you have to outstrategize your opponent. that focus, that dedication and that strength of mine that really teaches them. >> nicole, you brought that up, too, the confidence and self-esteem. when did you know you were going to love tennis? you find it fun still, right? >> once i played my first tennis match. i think i was 8 and i won. >> and nicole won a national tournament. >> yes, in daytona, florida singles and doubles. >> always have that resume in the trophy case. that's wonderful. we talk about winning. but winning and losing that's part oift too. losing can be just as important as winning for a lot of kids. >> yes. when willis thomas, our vice president for programs first took me under his wings, we started the program with 13 guys on the playground with no direction. willis not only taught us tennis, but taught us how to be

gentlemen, he taught us life skills. what we try to do in the program, not only give the kids the education and the tennis but we teach our kids life skills. we teach the kids how to be productive in life as they get older. so we don't let the kids do anything and everything at the center, but we teach the kids how to say thank you please, you're welcome and things like that. i think that's very important going forward in our program. >> and off the court is just as important, if not more than on the court? >> that's exactly right. we're very meticulous about tracking the kids and how they're doing. our metrics have been in place for -- actually ever since i've been there. what we're really tracking our attendance rates, retention rates. we're tracking children and their health their bmi indices. what's been interesting you talked about the national claim we have gotten. we've had third party evaluators come in and compare our numbers nationally.

so nationally high performing after school organization, attendance rates are around the 50s. our average attendance rates are in the high 60s, low 70s. what's a more incredible metric is retention rates of high performing rates are in the 40s. high performing organizations. our retention rates are in the low 70s. that means year after year and you feel it. this really has become a family. the kids come and they know they're going to be well taken care of. it's also social. they're their friends now. really that's an incredible metric to me. we also track our staff retention rate. we're at 98 99%. that's not easy in after school programs. >> incredible. >> we have an incredible cat ray of retired teachers, retired coaches their entire lives have been dedicated to taking care of kids. they love and enjoy and want to do it. we've given them a great forum to continue. >> you've got alums like nicole

who come back and give back. >> very important to us. >> at lo more to get to. i want to talk about the arthur ashe children's program, too. the washington tennis and education foundation, if you'd like to learn more, here is where to go wtef.org.

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welcome back to "viewpoint." we're talking about the washington tennis and education foundation. we are coming up on the big tennis season. you have quite a few big events coming up. talk about the ball, and i should tell our viewers you get a lot of big name legends who are on board with helping your organization and they never fail to show up. you've had cris everett, billie jean king, rod laver, and they come out there and play with the children which is phenomenal. >> andre agassi, you're

absolutely right. we have two wonderful events. our main fund-raiser is our tennis ball. this year it's may 8th. we honor a tennis player each year. our city open event, wtef is the beneficiary of the city open. the players are always so generous with their time. we usually have some event where they're interacting. coached by zena garrison who works on our staff as well. so she's training taylor but also helps in our center for excellence and tennis programs. she's been an unbelievable model. the city open has been a tremendous tournament for us as well and the players have been very generous. >> nicole, i'm curious what you would tell somebody who may be listening, someone wondering should i take part in this.

what's your biggest selling point for them and what this did for you and can do for others really? >> i think it's important, where i grew up, i grew up in south dees. we're not used to having someone to actually take the time out to want to help us. kids -- especially when i started at a young age i think it's important so they would have to be on the streets, hanging with the wrong crowd. >> and you see, mike, kids who have been let down in life before, and you guys are there for them and that's why it's so important you have a staff that's dedicated and passionate about these children. >> sure. it's very important to our staff, just like elany was saying, to make sure our staff is there every day, staff is there before the kids get there. they're waiting for the kids to

get off the vans. sometimes we pick most of the kids up. sometimes the parents bring them. we're outside of the door to make sure they get in. it's rough for some of the kids to make it to the center. so it's amazing how the kids get there. once they come through the door, you can see the smiles on their face. it's like home to them. we have one young lady whose parent came to get her yesterday and they haven't seen her in three weeks. they say that we knew where to find her. we knew she was going to be at the center. >> in the best of hands. >> right. >> in safe conditions. >> right. >> with friends and responsible adults. >> right. these are the type of incidents that we see every day kids going through these type of things that we have to deal with every day to help these kids get through these things. the staff and the mentor ship, all these things are very important to keys kids. these kids come and they become a part of you.

they become family. that's how we treat our kids at our center. they're like family to us. >> wonderful. it's important to mention these programs are obviously all free to low income children and families. we are so dependent on the private foundations and donations that we get, and obviously our tennis ball is where we raise close to half of our operating funds. so we appreciate all the support but it's so we can provide all this for the children in d.c. >> i want to talk about the arthur ashe children's program. >> that's been a phenomenal program for us. it's actually in 20 schools in northeast and southeast d.c. it's been a tremendous feeder to our center for excellence program that is at our east capital campus. we have a pathway of programs. you're not going to believe this, jim. we actually also started a tots program. so we have 2, 3 and 4-year-olds coming in the mornings. people say what are you going to do with the facility in the morning. we've got that covered.

we've partnered with 18 preschools and nursery schools. we have a pathway of programs those kids feed into arthur ashe children schools or come directly to the center at 4, 5, 6 years old. >> reel them early. get them hooked. >> one more break and we'll be right back. if you'd like to learn more about wtef, here is where to go if you'd like to donate to such a wonderful cause in our community.

washington tennis and education foundation, a lot more than tennis, folks. mike tell us about the program where you take children out, all ages to go visit colleges, get them out of the district. >> we think it's very important at a young age to get the kids out of washington so they can see something other than washington. we take the kids on an annual college trip each and every summer. the past two summers we've taken the kids to ft. lauderdale twice, taken them to nashville, tennessee and this year taking

the kids to chicago illinois. >> what an experience. a career center is such an important part of what wte. f does. >> right. many of the kids will be prepared to go to college. we want to make sure those kids who are not going to go to college are prepared. so we assess them, understand where their skill sets are. maybe they'll be firemen, policemen, electricians plumbers, we'll have them ready for a positive life path. >> talk about your path. you have come back to give back, nicole. how wonderful. you're a mentor, right? >> yes. >> how is that? >> i love it. the kids are amazing. they have a great opportunity. >> and i hear they love you. >> yes. >> you're out on the court with them every week. >> sometimes, yes. >> that must be so neat to see a child light up who maybe didn't think they would love tennis, all of a sudden they're hooked. >> nicole is everywhere. >> do you see a transportation in kids.

>> yes. >> talk a little bit about how people can get involved. >> we appreciate the help from the community. we actually understand and get to know wtef better we call them life champions tours. we would love people to come out and see what we're doing understand what we're doing, so they can help spread the word. donations are always appreciated, sponsoring our tennis ball. coming the the city open. city has been an unbelievable sponsor. and that citi open is such a great event which we're beneficiary of. we're so grateful of the support, from you jim, from nbc. thank you so much for having for us. >> there's no better organization. it's an easy sell, recognized all around the country as a textbook case of how to get it done. mike parting word for somebody thinking about putting a child? >> if you have a young child who wants to be a part of the

program, reach me at www.wtef.com or e-mail me. >> and it's easy. to get involved, it is easy. >> just come to the center. we'll sign you up right away. >> i can't wait to get out there and look at it. i'm coupling in a couple weeks. congratulations for all you have done and the success -- the difference you've made in creating successes all around our city. nicole, thanks. great to meet you. we appreciate it and thank you for having us in. the address is wtef.org on your website. we'll be back next sunday. now back to "news 4 today"." enjoy the rest of your weekend everybody.

lights out. an update on the mall power outage that had local shop panicked. temperatures will get even higher than yesterday. chuck bell is tracking some sprinkles. he's timing out how long the showers will stick around. >> i don't care if it sprinkles a little bit, 60 degrees sounds awesome. good morning and welcome to news 420 day. i'm adam tuss. >> i'm angie goff. >> looks like a little hint of spring. >> chuck, will we hit 60s all over? >> not everywhere. don't jump the gun. still only the first part of the month of february. that being said there will be plen