The East St. Louis Community Tennis Association (ESLCTA) expands equitable access to tennis, wellness education, and mentorship in one of Illinois’ most historically underserved communities. Our mission is to use tennis as the entry point for strengthening physical health, mental wellness, leadership development, and long-term opportunity pathways for youth and families.
East St. Louis, Illinois is home to approximately 18,000 residents, and roughly 95% of the population identifies as African American. More than 32–35% of residents live below the federal poverty line, and the median household income is approximately $30,900, significantly lower than state and national averages. Nearly half of children in the community live in poverty. These realities create barriers to accessing organized sports, wellness resources, safe recreational spaces, and structured extracurricular experiences that support healthy development.
ESLCTA addresses these disparities by providing free tennis instruction, equipment access, mentorship, yoga, and mindfulness practices that strengthen both heart health and mental wellness while expanding educational, leadership, and community participation opportunities for youth. The program is intentionally designed not simply to teach tennis, but to use tennis as a vehicle for building healthier lifestyles, stronger families, and a more connected East St. Louis community.