306990
Aquatics program in Belle Haven Community/Beyond Barriers
Every day in the United States, a child drowns, with Black and Hispanic children three times more likely than white children to visit an emergency room or even lose their lives because of a swim accident. The underlying problem: 70% of Black and 62% of Hispanic children cannot swim. Beyond Barriers Athletic Foundation (BBAF) was founded in 2012 to address these aquatic inequities. BBAF subsidizes programs that teach disadvantaged local youth to swim, introduce them to aquatic sports, and train them as lifeguards. Brenda Villa, 4 time Water Polo Olympian and coach of the 14 and under water polo is essential to the program. Brenda has had the same childhood development and experiences as the majority of the youth in the Belle Haven community. METHODS: Our objective is to effect significant changes in the following areas: Safety, as measured by community pool incidents Health, BMI, Academic and personal success through interviews and Employment, as an increase of local youngsters working at community pools. Initial result after 2 summers show increased participation and increased academic success for children involved.
Although other swim safety programs exist, BBAF is the first to take a holistic, integrated approach that leverages existing providers and facilities.
BBAF can promote Aquatics and water safety; can promote pool, and operators.
BBAF can encourage pool operators in program development by developing RFPs.
BBAF cannot develop or promote programs, or assume a position that might expose BBAF to any liabilities associated with the programs.
Learning Areas:
Diversity and cultureProgram planning
Learning Objectives:
Describe impediments to aquatic safety in communities of color.
List three components of a subsidized program.
Keyword(s): Child Health Promotion, Community-Based Partnership & Collaboration
Not Answered