In 1994, Washington founded the The MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation, which promotes academic achievement and positive life skills to disadvantaged children through the game of tennis. In eight years, 254 first- through sixth-grade students have gone through the intense 5-day-a-week after-school program. The free program provides three hours daily of academic tutoring, community service work and character development, using tennis as a reward. The foundation also has touched thousands of kids through free tennis clinics.
You can contact MaliVai Washington at Washington Properties, LLC, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; 904/273-6398; malwashington@aol.com. Contact the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation at 904/301-378; www.malwashington.com.