In 2004 and 2005 , Serena and her sister , Venus , visited hospitals and played several tennis matches in predominately black cities in order to raise money for the local Ronald McDonald House charities . An ESPN episode was dedicated to the Williams sisters ' charity tour In 2008 , as part of the Serena Williams Foundation 's work , Williams helped to fund the construction of the Serena Williams Secondary School in Matooni , Kenya . The Serena Williams Foundation also provides university scholarships for underprivileged students in the United States . In 2016 , the Serena Williams Fund partnered with Helping Hands Jamaica to build the Salt Marsh Primary School for Jamaican youth in Trelawny Parish . She received a Celebrity Role Model Award from Avon Foundation in 2003 for work in breast cancer . Williams has also been involved in a number of clinics at schools and community centers , particularly those which have programs focusing on at-risk youth . She has also won the " Young Heroes Award " from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater L.A. and Inland ( 2003 ) and the " Family Circle and Prudential Financial Player Who Makes a Difference Award " ( 2004 ) . In response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake , Williams , along with other ATP and WTA stars , decided to forgo their final day of preparation for the 2010 Australian Open to form a charity event in which all proceeds will go to the Haiti earthquake victims . Serena , along with her sister Venus , is a supporter and contributor of First Serve Miami , a foundation for youth who want to learn tennis but are socially and economically challenged . She has been an International Goodwill Ambassador with UNICEF since 2011 and has helped launch UNICEF 's Schools for Asia campaign
2010 Haiti earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
Serena Williams