Making Waves: Our Life-Saving Partnership with Kiwanis of the Rockaways
As we approach Memorial Day and the official start of beach season, we’re thrilled to share some incredible news that’s making a real difference in our community’s water safety.
We’ve partnered with Kiwanis of the Rockaways to provide free swimming lessons to 24 local children this year – and this is just the beginning of what we hope will be a long-lasting collaboration to save lives in our waterfront community.
Why This Partnership Matters
Living in the Rockaways means being surrounded by 17 miles of beach and 35 miles of water. For many families, swimming lessons are a luxury they simply can’t afford. But water safety isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity that can mean the difference between life and death.
Through anonymous scholarships funded by Kiwanis, children receive professional swim instruction without their families ever knowing about the financial support. As Kiwanis member Dolores Orr puts it: “The children should think that their parents were able to give them the lessons.”
More Than Just Swimming Lessons
This partnership represents something bigger than individual swim lessons. It’s about:
- Community resilience in a waterfront neighborhood
- Breaking down barriers to essential life skills
- Building bridges between organizations that share the mission of protecting children
- Creating lasting change that extends beyond our 19 years of service
The Bigger Picture
Since 2007, Swim Strong Foundation has saved over 111,600 lives through swimming lessons, water safety education, and CPR training. We’ve provided more than $1 million in free lessons to families who need them most. But as our founder Shawn Slevin says, “there’s plenty of opportunity to do more” – not just for children, but for adults too.
Want to learn more about this incredible partnership and how it’s changing lives in the Rockaways?
👉 Read the full story at Rockaway Times
The article features inspiring stories from community leaders, details about our water safety programs, and insights into why this collaboration is so crucial as we head into beach season.
Ready to get involved? Visit www.swimstrongfoundation.org to learn about our programs, make a donation, or sign up for lessons. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SwimStrongFoundation for updates and water safety tips.
