Tennis Tournament Raises Hope For Teen Mothers

09 March 2011

By Raymond Billy
And Patrick Butler
ResonateNews.com

GARDEN VALLEY, Texas — Young women facing the intense pressure of an unplanned pregnancy make the pilgrimage here from across the United States, a spokesman with Living Alternatives said on Tuesday. The mission of the youth "pilgrims" is nothing less than to save the life of their unborn children, so they may have a future and a hope.

                   Courtesy Photo
A participant in last year's Hope Open Tennis Tournament readies for a shot during match at the event. The 15th annual installment of the three-day tournament will begin March 25.Funding for such a noble cause may seem a given, but even Living Alternatives — a 501 C3 charity registered in the state of Texas — has to hold events highlighting the meaningful measure of supporters, and once in awhile, throwing a party for them.

The organization is holding its 15th annual Hope Open Tennis Tournament on March 25-27 in Tyler, Texas. The event will open at 6 p.m. on Day 1 and run all day each day during the weekend. Conley Brown, a director of Fatherheart Maternity Home, which is under the Living Alternatives umbrella, said the event has become of critical importance to the crisis pregnancy organization.

“It started out slow and has built up over the years,” said Brown, who runs Fatherheart with his wife, Nancy. “It's turned out to be a really good way for us to get our name out there.”

Brown said the event has served as a good networking opportunity for Living Alternatives. In seeking corporate sponsorships for the event, the organization has reached out to the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber has circulated information about the ministry to East Texas businesses, some of which have become long-term financial supporters in addition to sponsoring the tournament.

Brown said that without such support, the organization could not function. The absence of Living Alternatives — which, like ResonateNews.com, was created by the Youth With A Mission missionary organization — would leave a big societal void, he said.

“For a lot of the young women who come to us, this is the only family they've ever known,” he said. “When they come here, they're given a precious opportunity to find emotional healing.”

Brown's maternity home cared for 50 women last year, many of whom were only teenagers when they arrived, which is typical. He said the cornerstone of the organization is the spiritual direction, steeped in Christian principles, that volunteers and staff here seek to give boarders.

The Hope Open is a tournament for players of any skill set. To register for the event, visit www.hopeopen.org. The sign-up fee is $45 per player for one event and an additional $20 if a player wants to participate in a second event.