The MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation has enjoyed long time support from THE PLAYERS, but this year that support reaches another level as the nonprofit will be the tournament’s “charity of the day” for the final round on Sunday, March 16.
According to Terri Florio, executive director of the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation, having the extra exposure that they will have with that honor during the final round is something the organization is very excited about.
It provides us with not just local exposure but also on a national level,” Florio said.
THE PLAYERS and MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation are very relatable in that they are both striving to develop a stronger community by using sports as the catalyst to make it happen.
Whether it is golf or tennis, which is a major part of the MaliVai Washinton Youth Foundation’s program, as its namesake and founder played tennis at the professional level and offers lessons to students in the program.
“It’s a big part of who we are and how we help teach the values that we share,” Florio said. “First and foremost, our mission is to provide a safe place in a fairly unsafe neighborhood. Tennis and academics are what links it all together and makes this possible.”
Part of the foundation also includes offering $100,000 in scholarships to students as young a fifth grade. Over the years, THE PLAYERS have been instrumental in helping raise the amount of money they can offer in scholarships and that support only continues to grow.
The foundation offers after-school programs as well as its tennis programs and has a variety of family services, including quarterly family nights, where topics are discussed with parents, such as home ownership, credit repair and healthy relationships.
Social activities, such as a family barbecue, and holiday and summer camp performances are also major events on the foundation’s calendar each year.
As a nonprofit, the foundation understands the importance of community support and they are always looking for items that anyone is willing to donate.
“We believe as long as you keep kids active and positively involved, they will have the best chance to grow to their full potential," Florio said When they don’t have that is when they can get into trouble. We want to do everything we can to foster that positivity here.”
