Through our Programs we have become pioneers in interventions that address the needs of the whole child, developing long-term relationships intended to have lasting impact.
Basketball
We are proud to report that many of our first Katie At The Bat Team girls who joined our Basketball Program back in 2006 are now leaders of the pack today. The KATB Basketball Program continues to expand its breadth and outreach each season.We meet two afternoons a week at The Sheppard Recreation Center at 5700 Haverford Avenue for healthy snack, theme of the week activities, and of course, basketball instruction and play.
A third afternoon is devoted to tutoring and academic enhancement. Thanks to the generosity of a local family foundation, we are able to transport our girls in our new Katie At The Bat Team van to the Bethel Academy tutoring center in Ardmore, Pa. This academic year we are thrilled to have added two Saturdays per month for tennis and Katie themes at the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Center as well as extra days for basketball games and field trips.
Tennis
The Katie At The Bat Team Tennis Program is entering its third year bringing together The University of Pennsylvania Varsity Tennis Teams and the Universal Institute Charter School. Students from Universal love their time both on and off the court at Penn’s Levy Tennis Pavilion. On-court instruction is given by the international players from the Men’s and Women’s teams as well as KATB staff and volunteers.Most of our young players have never had the opportunity to play tennis before and they come each session enthused – ready to learn, work hard, and have fun. The bonds that grow between the college players and the children provide life-time memories for everyone. Off-court time includes healthy lunch as well as large and small group bonding sessions. A culminating event is bringing The Katie At The Bat Team youngsters to cheer for the Penn Teams when they face their Ivy League Opponents.
New This Year
This year the most enthusiastic tennis kids will have the opportunity to work with KATB on the weekends as well. Two Saturdays per month we will provide sessions to all of our KATB girls as well as well as girls from our partnering organizations. We are thrilled to be able to hold these sessions at the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Center where there will be an hour of on-court instruction and an hour of “Katie curriculum” in the beautiful facilities at the Center. We are excited about this program expansion!High School Basketball
We are thrilled at becoming an official sponsor of The Freire Charter School girl’s basketball team. Not only does this allow us to further our mission of improving athletic experiences and opportunities for girls throughout the city, but we are enthusiastic about the mentoring possibilities between our high school basketball girls at Freire and the younger girls who they will have the opportunity to partner with in our West Philadelphia Sheppard site. Girls reaching out to girls through athletics!!RETURN HOME