Help a Child Learn to Swim to Save Their Own Life

We are thrilled to be fully underway with our biggest summer program to date.

We have also successfully completed another City of Water Day, sharing water safety education with the public at Canarsie Pier and on the Boardwalk at Beach 96th.

At The Rockaway Hotel we are hosting Parent & Me lessons for residents of a domestic violence shelter and will welcome a new group of children from the same shelter in August.

In Far Rockaway, Ocean Park, we've seen a significant increase in participants compared to last year. Our recent water safety event featuring a mermaid at the pool was a big success, and there's growing demand for adult lessons at this location.

The NYCHA Swim Corps has just wrapped up its second week, with four more to go. We’re excited to report a record-high number of 70 participants from across New York City. These weeks have been filled with swimming lessons, basic lifeguarding training, professional development, and leadership training.

Our mission is to empower everyone we reach to stay safe in and around water. The recent drownings of youths who are the same age as those in our programs remind us that we need to rethink our approach to the NYC drowning crisis. Rather than attempting to control the ocean by closing it at a certain hour, we must make practical adaptations and do everything we can to prevent harm.  

We have been busy speaking at various press conferences and sending certified letters to the administration to advocate for extended beach hours, especially during heat waves, and for more signage on the beach. If people could see how to spot a rip current, many drownings could be avoided. While swimming skills are crucial, the most important aspect is situational awareness around water and our overall water competency. Just 15 minutes of water safety education on land can make all the difference.

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