Wendy Hilliard Foundation

Founded in 1996 by Hall of Fame rhythmic gymnast, Wendy Hilliard, the Wendy Hilliard Foundation “WHF” was formed to provide free and low cost gymnastics for youth. Wendy was inspired to begin the foundation after training her athlete Aliane Baquerot, for the 1996 Olympics. The goal was to provide children with the opportunity that Wendy had in gymnastics. In the late “70’s the City of Detroit Recreation Department hired four gymnastics coaches from the former Soviet Union. Lead by Drs. Vladimir and Zina Mirinov; the Detroit Metro Gymnastics Team produced Olympians, National Champions and numerous US National Gymnastics Team members. As the Captain of the Detroit Metro Gymnasts, Wendy traveled the world representing her city and was the first African American to represent the United States Rhythmic Gymnastics.

The WHF is an exceptional youth development organization. It has served over 10,000 inner-city youth to date. The WHF has trained top elite athletes and international gymnastics performers. The diversity of the WHF staff is unique to the sport of gymnastics, but they are all highly qualified gymnastics instructors with incredible resumes achievement in sport. New York City has provided the opportunity for the WHF students to perform on some of the world’s greatest stages including, Madison Square Garden and Lincoln Center.

The Board of the WHF provides funding, services and planning. Funding for the WHF programs is a mix of public, private foundations, educational and corporate grants and individual donations. In-kind donations have provided uniforms and services for the participants and competitive teams. Celebrate the Future Gymnasts of Harlem is the annual fundraising event for the WHF.

In 1997, the WHF began developing partnerships with local organizations such as; the Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Police Athletic League, and the Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation. In 1999, linkages were developed to provide health, nutrition, pregnancy prevention and sports medicine services with the New York Presbyterian Hospital and St. Luke’s/Roosevelt Hospital, and the Women’s Sports Medicine Center. In 2004, the WHF began reading programs through Literacy Inc. These programs re-enforce the discipline and structure from gymnastics to school work and overall good health. Currently, Premier Physical Therapy & Wellness provides screening for our gymnastics teams and events. Whole Foods provides healthy food options for the WHF teams and events and GK Elite provides competitive uniforms for the 50 - member WHF Gymnastics Team.

In July 2000, Random House published a book “I am a Gymnast” that featured WHF team member, McKenzie Foster. In 2001, the WHF Team participated in a student-exchange program with a rhythmic gymnastics club from Southampton, England. Team Member, Alexis Page, started with the WHF at age 7. In 2008, Team Alexis was formed to provide funding for Alexis. The WHF sponsored numerous international trips and funding for her training. Alexis became a 3- time US National Team Member and a National and International Gold Medalist. She is now a freshman at Howard University and coaches for the WHF when she comes home to Harlem.

The Free WHF Summer Gymnastics program began in 1996 with over 700 for the NYC Housing Authority. At the conclusion of the program, the students participated in a free performance gala for the community. For over 15 years the WHF Gymnastics Gala has featured a host of Olympic and champion gymnasts, coaches and Broadway performers that perform alongside the children of the program; including Olympic Gold Medalists, Dominique Dawes and Shannon Miller, members of the renowned Anti-Gravity gymnastics company, legendary coach Bela Karolyi and 11-time World Tumbling Champion, Rayshine Harris. Since 2008, the WHF Community Gymnastics Program has been located at Riverbank State Park.

In 2010, the Wendy Hilliard Foundation began a partnership with the Harlem Children’s Zone. Located at the Harlem Armory, the WHF serves over 800 HCZ students per month. The WHF Team program (Girls Artistic, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Tumbling and Trampoline) trains at this outstanding facility which is outfitted with new state of the art gymnastics equipment. In 2012 and 2013 the HCZ began offering free Mommy and me and adult classes to the community taught by WHF staff. In 2013 the WHF was designated a Trampoline Development Center by USA Gymnastics.

The WHF also host special events for the community including: the NYC Gymnastics Championships, Harlem Gymnastics Day, Harlem Girls and Women in Sports Day and Olympic Day celebrations and in 2014, the Harlem Gymnastics Invitational. In 2013, Right to Play hosted the Harlem Gymnastics Festival at the HCZ Armory. The WHF team performed and the WHF staff provided the USA Gymnastics Fitness Zone activities. Over 300 youth were able to meet Olympic gymnastics and coaches including 2012 Olympic Champion gabby Douglas.

Wendy Hilliard’s goal was to create a program that provided an opportunity for more minorities to experience her sport. After serving over 10,000 participants the Wendy Hilliard Foundation has established an incredible track record of providing quality programming for people of all ages and abilities in the sport of gymnastics.