MaliVai Washington awarded for his community service

Jacksonville, Fla. — Jacksonville Beach realtor and tennis star, MaliVai Washington, has been selected as one of five winners of the National Association of Realtors Good Neighbor Award.

He was recognized for his work with the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation, a nonprofit he founded in 1996 to provide after-school mentoring and tennis instruction to children in the Durkeeville area.

Washington is the broker/owner of Diamond Life Realty.

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A news release from the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors touted Washington’s accomplishments.

During his tennis career, he was once ranked 11th in the world, competed in the Olympics, and finished second at Wimbledon.

He obtained his real estate license in 1996, while he was still touring professionally.

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While on a brief hiatus due to an injury, he set up his nonprofit, the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation (MWYF).

Over the past 26 years, MWYF has expanded to include a youth center and teen center, which serve 500 kids annually through a comprehensive program of academic tutoring, leadership skills, financial training, and tennis instruction. The foundation’s program boasts a 100% high school graduation rate in a neighborhood where the dropout rate is 20%.

As a Good Neighbor Award winner, his nonprofit will receive $10,000.

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