Montclair State Tennis Club Team & GCHT Ambassadors Host Youth Workshop for Bella Chanel Mentoring

Passaic, NJ — Montclair State University (MSU) Tennis Club Team, in collaboration with the Global Center on Human Trafficking (GCHT) Student Ambassadors, hosted a workshop on March 29, 2025, designed to teach youth participants from the Bella Chanel Mentoring Program the fundamentals of tennis, while also fostering a strong sense of community and belonging. The event took place at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School No. 6 in Passaic, NJ.

Supervised by Ashlee Martellacci, Student Affairs and Community Engagement Coordinator for the GCHT, the event brought together MSU Tennis Club Team students—Alexandra Zanzalari and James Orosz—along with GCHT Student Ambassadors Delmi Flores and Liz Benitez. The workshop was made possible thanks to the support of Sanford Shevack, Adjunct Professor in Sociology, and Kyle Bianchi, Assistant Director of Facilities, Intramural, and Club Sports for Campus Recreation.

The workshop featured interactive activities designed to teach tennis, encourage teamwork, and build a sense of belonging. Youth participants had the opportunity to practice tennis basics, engage in team-building games, and discuss the importance of community, support, and inclusion.

“This workshop was not only about introducing tennis, but also about creating a supportive and inclusive environment where the youth could feel connected to one another,” said Ashlee Martellacci. “Our goal was to help these young individuals understand the importance of community, belonging, and teamwork through fun and engaging activities.”

The MSU Tennis Club Team and GCHT Student Ambassadors are committed to continuing their partnership, with plans for more workshops that aim to empower youth, foster inclusivity, and create lasting positive change in local communities.