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We Do Good… Together: A Thank You Twenty Years in the Making

Twenty years ago, Swim Strong Foundation opened its doors with a simple but powerful belief — that every person in New York City deserves to feel safe in, on, and around water. Not just children from well-resourced families. Everyone. That belief hasn't changed. What has changed is the number of people who decided to be part of making it real. This is a thank you to all of them. Building a program that has reached 135,000+ students through Know Before You Go!®...

August 10, 202620th Anniversary, Articles, Blog, VideosComments OffRead more...

Lace Up and Make a Difference: Join the Elite Amenity 5K Run Benefiting Swim Strong Foundation

Lace up your running shoes and be part of something bigger than the finish line. The Elite Amenity 5K Run is a fun and inspiring community race — and this year, every step you take benefits Swim Strong Foundation's life-saving mission. Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, your participation helps expand access to essential water safety education, affordable swim instruction, and drowning prevention programs right here in New York City. Why This Race Matters Water safety isn't just about knowing...

June 5, 202620th Anniversary, Articles, Blog, EventsComments OffRead more...
Senator Kevin S. Parker presents a New York State Legislative Resolution to members of the Eta Nu Sigma Brooklyn Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. at WaterPalooza 26, held at Bushwick Campus on May 30, 2026.

Water Safety Takes Center Stage: Swim Strong Foundation at WaterPalooza 26

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, Swim Strong Foundation joined the Eta Nu Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. for WaterPalooza 26 — a free, community-wide water safety and swim clinic event held at the Brooklyn School for Social Justice, Bushwick Campus. Presented in partnership with the Seven Roses Legacy Foundation and New York State Senator Kevin S. Parker, the event brought together families, young swimmers, community leaders, and water safety advocates for a day that was equal parts...

June 5, 2026Articles, Blog, EventsComments OffRead more...

Shawn Slevin on NY1: What Families Need to Know as Beach Season Opens

Swim Strong Foundation founder and Executive Director Shawn Slevin joined NY1 anchor Rocco Vertuccio on News All Day this week to talk water safety as New York City beaches officially opened for the 2026 season. It's a conversation worth having every year — and this year, it's especially timely. Storm weather greeted the start of beach season, bringing rough surf, high rip current warnings, and a reminder that the water doesn't follow a calendar. Watch the full interview on NY1 → Why storm...

May 25, 2026Blog, PSAs, Swim Strong in The NewsComments OffRead more...
Swim Strong Foundation Giving Tuesday graphic — photo collage of swim instruction across NYC pools with text "This is Water Safety Month. We're showing up, across NYC." 20th anniversary campaign.

Swim Strong Foundation Kicks Off Water Safety Month with Two Free NYC Events and Raffle

May is National Water Safety Month — and Swim Strong Foundation is bringing the mission directly to your neighborhood. This week, we’re partnering with two chapters of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. to host two free community events in Queens and Manhattan. Free swim lessons. Know Before You Go!® water safety education. CPR training. Games. Prizes. No cost to attend. Here’s everything you need to know — and how to sign up. EVENT 1: Swim 1922 in Queens — Wednesday, May 13 When...

May 11, 2026Blog, EventsComments OffRead more...
Photo by David Dibert from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/olympic-and-paralympic-symbols-in-cortina-d-ampezzo-30100582/

“Il Mondo” — The World Is Water: What the Olympics Closing Ceremony Reminded Us All

On February 22, 2026, the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics came to a close inside the ancient Verona Arena — an amphitheater built in 30 AD that has witnessed two thousand years of human storytelling. But the moment that stopped the world that night wasn't about ice or snow. It was about water. Watch Video Here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wjTiQFFr6Q In a segment titled "The Water Cycle," the ceremony paid a stunning tribute to Italy's relationship with water — from the glaciers of the Dolomites flowing down...

March 10, 2026Blog, VideosComments OffRead more...

Revisiting a Powerful Conversation for Black History Month | Full SJU Panel + Screening of “A Film Called Blacks Can’t Swim”

Revisiting a Powerful Conversation for Black History Month | Full SJU Panel + Screening of “A Film Called Blacks Can’t Swim” This Black History Month, we’re going back to a conversation that stayed with us — a panel discussion hosted at Saint John’s University that brought together our founder Shawn Slevin, board-certified psychiatrist and U.S. Navy Commander Dr. Sudhir Gadh, and Dominican Republic 2016 Rio Olympian Jhonny José Pérez Peña for a screening of A Film Called Blacks Can’t Swim. We’ve revisited...

February 28, 2026Blog, VideosComments OffRead more...

What Happens When You Fall Through the Ice? A Real-Time Rescue Demonstration

Every winter, people walk onto frozen lakes, rivers, and ponds — ice fishermen, snowmobilers, hikers, kids taking shortcuts. Most never think about what happens if the ice gives way beneath them. This video does. Adam from Pike Pole Fishing did something most people would never volunteer for: he fell through the ice on purpose, in real time, without a drysuit, in ten feet of water — with the Edgerton Fire Department standing by. The result is one of the most honest...

February 26, 2026Blog, PSAs, VideosComments OffRead more...

What Fear Looks Like in the Brain — and Why It Matters for Water Safety

When Dr. Sudhir Gadh, MD, took the microphone at Swim Strong Foundation's 15th anniversary celebration, he did something most people in the water safety space don't do: he explained exactly what happens inside your skull when you're afraid of the water. Dr. Gadh is a board-certified psychiatrist and U.S. Navy Commander based in New York City, specializing in trauma, addiction, and the intersection of mental and physical health. He's also a recurring voice in Swim Strong's community conversations — because he...

February 26, 2026Blog, PSAs, VideosComments OffRead more...

From NYC to Africa

Shawn Slevin's Six-Week Journey | November–December 2025 After 33 hours of travel, Swim Strong Foundation founder, Shawn Slevin, visited seven countries across one continent. The mission: build global partnerships for water safety. The focus: listen to communities, observe water ecosystems, and establish connections. WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED Presented to global water safety leaders at World Conference on Drowning Prevention Met in person with Rotary colleagues throughout the tour; previously only seen on Zoom Connected with Black Swimming Association of Britain Presented Swim Strong model to Rotary Club...

February 1, 2026Articles, BlogComments OffRead more...

NYC Ferry Career Fair: Opportunities for Your Community

NYC Ferry Career Fair: Opportunities for Your Community February 10, 2026 | Brooklyn Borough Hall Are you looking for a meaningful career with competitive benefits and room for growth? NYC Ferry is hosting a career fair that welcomes applicants of all experience levels—including those with no prior experience. What to Expect On February 10th from 11 AM to 2:30 PM, NYC Ferry will be at Brooklyn Borough Hall to showcase exciting opportunities across their organization. This is your chance to meet representatives from various...

January 30, 2026Blog, PSAsComments OffRead more...