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Take the Doughnut, Story 2: What Diving Can Teach Us About Getting Into the Water in the First Place

Last time on *Take the Doughnut*, we talked about going after what you want — Melissa Forziat's whole philosophy of carpe diem, chasing it down one decision at a time. This installment picks that thread back up with diver Max Flory, who's currently packing boxes for a cross-country move to train for a shot at LA. But the more interesting part of his story, for us, isn't the move itself. It's everything that had to happen before Max ever stood on...

October 8, 2026Articles, VideosComments OffRead more...

One Stroke at a Time: A Student’s Summer Push Toward the Navy

Every session, Swim Strong Foundation sees students walk onto the pool deck with a goal bigger than the lap in front of them. This summer, one young man at our Bushwick and James Madison locations spent July and August training with instructor Claire Hilger to build the swimming skills he'll need for the Navy — and along the way, he built something else: real confidence in the water. In His Own Words — Bushwick, One Month In After several classes at our...

September 27, 2026Articles, Blog, VideosComments OffRead more...

BRAVA to Kate! Turning Passion Into Purpose

Some people talk about making a difference. Kate Casciato just goes and does it — in the pool, in classrooms, in libraries, and now, in Albany. We are beyond proud to share that our own Kate Casciato has been named a Daily Point of Light honoree by Points of Light, recognized for the work she's poured into water safety education across New York City. Read her full story here. A volunteer who shows up everywhere the work is needed Kate shows what...

September 25, 2026Articles, BlogComments OffRead more...

Motion, Community, and Water Safety: Recapping the Elite Amenity 5K

On June 27, runners and walkers gathered at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park for the Elite Amenity 5K, hosted by Elite Amenity Management in support of Swim Strong Foundation. It was a morning built around movement, community, and purpose — and the energy on the course showed it. Fitness and water safety, hand in hand One thing came up again and again when we spoke with participants after the race: running and swimming aren't separate pursuits — they build on each other. Several runners...

August 12, 202620th Anniversary, Articles, Blog, Events, VideosComments OffRead more...

Five Years Later: Ed Accura Returns With a New Message on Water Safety

Five years ago, at Swim Strong Foundation's 15th Anniversary celebration, filmmaker and water safety advocate Ed Accura stood up and shared a few words about the road ahead. Ed — the producer behind "Blacks Can't Swim" and co-founder of the Black Swim Association in the UK — had spent years working to shift how his community talks about swimming, fear, and the water. That night, he told us: “Working with organizations like Swim Strong Foundation has made it possible for us to...

August 11, 202615th Anniversary, 20th Anniversary, Articles, Blog, VideosComments OffRead more...

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...

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...

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Family Swimming Legacy: Skills for Life, Passed Across Generations

MLK Day Author: Swim Strong Foundation When we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we often focus on his speeches, his marches, and his transformative impact on civil rights. But there's another part of his story that speaks directly to families today—his deliberate commitment to swimming with his children and passing water confidence from one generation to the next. From his childhood lessons at the Butler Street YMCA in Atlanta to teaching his own children, Dr. King understood that swimming wasn't just...

January 19, 2026Articles, Blog, VideosComments OffRead more...

Essential Situational Knowledge of Water Safety Education: Watch Our Live Stream Replay

As we enter fall with warm weather still keeping families near water, and as our school programs begin their new season, we want to share a comprehensive water safety education live stream that every family needs to see. The Partnership That Makes This Possible We're grateful to Historic Neir's Tavern and owner Loycent Gordon for providing the platform for this life-saving education. Through their Ambassador Program, they demonstrate how community businesses can amplify essential safety messages beyond their usual operations. As Loycent...

January 12, 2026Articles, Blog, VideosComments OffRead more...

Body Awareness and Swimming

Body awareness is important for us at all ages.  It helps us improve movement and coordination, which helps us in everyday tasks like walking, reaching for objects, and doing physical activities.   It is also important so we can avoid injury. Development of body awareness begins in early infancy when babies start to move, turning and rolling over, which helps build their gross motor skills. Providing activities and space for gross motor development offers children space to practice coordinated movements, spatial awareness,...

December 24, 2025Articles, Blog, PSAsComments OffRead more...