AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The FirstEnergy Foundation has donated $10,000 to Inner City Tennis Clinics of Cleveland (ICTC) to support programs that provide local children the opportunity to develop skills both on the tennis court and in the classroom.

Founded in 2010, ICTC has served thousands of children with free programs designed to increase high school graduation rates and physical fitness, and develop skills to compete on the tennis court.

"Our program provides children ages 6 to 18 with five enrichment components - tennis, fitness, wellness, literacy and creative expression," said Brian Smallwood, executive director of ICTC. "Making a difference in the lives these children would be impossible without the generous support of donors like the FirstEnergy Foundation, which help us do this vital work in the areas where it is most necessary."

ICTC's programs are conducted for eight weeks during the summer at Thurgood Marshall Park in the Hough neighborhood of Cleveland. In addition to time spent each day on the five components, the program provides free breakfast and lunch for all participants.

"We are committed to supporting programs that improve the quality of life in the communities we serve," said Dee Lowery, president of the FirstEnergy Foundation. "ICTC's programming provides excellent summer enrichment by using tennis to support the development of important life skills, and we're proud to support this very worthwhile initiative."

The FirstEnergy Foundation is funded solely by FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) and provides support to non-profit, tax-exempt health and human services agencies; educational organizations; cultural and arts programs and institutions; and civic groups in areas served by FirstEnergy's 10 electric operating companies and in areas where the company conducts business.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.