AquaMissions

Exciting news for Cleveland! 🚧 The North Coast Connector project has secured a $69 million federal grant to create a transformative land bridge that will connect downtown Cleveland to the Lake Erie shoreline. This project will enhance access to our beautiful lakefront and provide even greater opportunities for recreation, community connection, and engagement with the water. This development underscores the urgent need to prioritize swim instruction and water safety education as a critical life skill. With increased access to Cleveland’s lakefront, the importance of equipping children with the ability to navigate water safely cannot be overstated. Swim instruction saves lives. It is a powerful tool to prevent tragedies and empower youth to confidently engage with the water, whether for recreation or necessity. AquaMissions remains steadfast in its mission to ensure every child has access to lifesaving water safety education and swimming instruction. Donate today at AquaMissions.org. As our city moves forward with transformative projects like the North Coast Connector, we must advocate for continued investment in programs that address water safety and equity. Together, we can create a future where every child is prepared to safely experience and enjoy Cleveland’s invaluable water resources. #WaterSafety #LakefrontAccess #Cle #NorthCoastConnector #LearntoSwim

Meet Icie, a 4th-grade Cleveland Metropolitan School District scholar who joined AquaMissions at Cleveland State University's Natatorium. Initially hesitant and afraid, Icie’s four-week swim program became a life-changing journey. She discovered her passion for the water, dreamed of working at the pool, and even imagined herself teaching others to swim. By the final week, Icie didn’t want to leave, confidently declaring her future at the pool — and maybe one day as a student at Cleveland State University. Icie’s story is proof of the incredible impact we can make together. But to continue providing these transformative experiences, we need your help. We’re $9,000 away from fully funding our Winter/Spring 2025 programming. 💧 Your donation plants seeds of courage, confidence, and ambition in kids like Icie, opening doors they never imagined possible. Every dollar counts. ⭐ Together, we can build futures filled with potential. Will you help us reach our goal? 👉 https://lnkd.in/gBjzrsBa #Cle #WaterSafety #DonateNow #LearnToSwim Lynne Nagy

It was a big day for AquaMissions! County Exectuive Chris Ronayne welcomed us into the Fresh Water Insitute as a founding partner, to help fulfill a vital role in getting children equipped with life saving swimming skills. Thank you to Jenita McGowan, Amanda Dempsey, and the team at Cuyahoga County for including us in this ‘watershed’ moment! For those who haven’t heard about the Fresh Water Institute, its aim is to advocate for this region, in the realms of safety and education, advocacy and economic development, while preserving vital water resources in the region. #LakeErie #Sustainability #Learntoswim

Making waves, indeed! So pleased about our partnership with Cleveland State University College of Health, made possible by Dean Stephanie Brooks, Judy Ausherman, and Desiree Powell from Cleveland Metropolitan School District! Lynne Nagy #SwimAtSchool #SwimmingIsALifeSkill #LearnToSwim

AquaMissions and Cleveland State University, along with Dean Stephanie Brooks, Professor Judy Ausherman, and the CSU College of Health are teaming up to bring water safety education and swim instruction to 2,500 Cleveland Metropolitan School District 4th graders this school year. This groundbreaking initiative, using CSU's state-of-the-art aquatics center, integrates life-saving skills into students' education. Key Highlights: -2,500 CMSD students will receive water safety and swim instruction. -CSU will conduct research on the impact of school-based swim education in urban communities. -This initiative addresses drowning risks, especially in underserved communities where Black and LatinX youth face a disproportionately higher risk. 💬 "This collaboration is essential in breaking down barriers to swimming proficiency and saving lives." - Dr. Lynne Nagy, Founder & CEO, AquaMissions Let's work together to build safer, stronger communities! #Cleveland #WaterSafety #SwimEducation #Equity

Today is International Drowning Prevention Day. This opinion piece by Olympic medalist Cullen Jones highlights the vast cultural, economic and social barriers to learning to swim. These barriers are as prevalent today as they were in the 1950’s. Swimming is a basic AND essential life skill. AquaMissions aims to close the gap on inequitable access and provide water safety education and basic swim instruction to all children — and we are starting right here in #Cleveland. We are preparing to kick off a program for all 4th graders this fall with Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and finalizing some world class partnerships to make it happen. AquaMissions is building the standard for school-based swimming instruction. Anyone can drown, no one should. #DrowningPrevention #LearntoSwim #Swimming #SwimTheGap

Today is World Drowning Prevention Day. Drowning is a preventable tragedy. Let's take a moment to recognize the importance of water safety and the steps we can take to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Here are the five things we can do to prevent drownings: 🌊 Teach Swimming Skills Early: Enroll children in swimming lessons to build their confidence and competence in the water. Understanding basic swimming skills can significantly reduce the risk of drowning. 🌊 Learn CPR & Basic Rescue Skills: Knowing how to perform CPR and basic rescue techniques can save lives in emergencies. Take a class and be prepared to act quickly and confidently. 🌊 Supervise Children Closely: Never leave children unattended around water. Active supervision is key, whether they're in a pool, at the beach, or near any body of water. Assign a dedicated water watcher to ensure their safety. 🌊 Install Barriers & Use Life Jackets: Use barriers like pool fences with self-latching gates to prevent unsupervised access. Ensure that everyone wears properly fitting life jackets when boating or participating in water activities. 🌊 Be Aware of Water Conditions: Always check the conditions before entering an open body of water. Be mindful of currents, tides, and weather changes. Follow safety signs and warnings, and avoid swimming alone. AquaMissions exists to save lives through life saving water safety education and swimming instruction. Every child is deserving of these basic life skills. We are building a model for school-based instruction to reach and teach students. AquaMissions advocates for school-based swim instruction in grade school. #DrowningPrevention #WaterSafety #WorldDrowningPreventionDay #LearntoSwim

As summer heats up, lifeguard shortages are a growing concern, impacting the safety of our local pools and natural water resources. It's crucial for everyone to stay vigilant and practice water safety. Always swim with a buddy, keep a close eye on children (and dress them in bright colors!) and follow local guidelines. And remember, in a water emergency, "reach and throw - don't go!" Throw a floatation device and call for help. A distressed or panicked person will attempt to use you as a flotation device to save themselves. As an adult capable of swimming and saving yourself, do not jump in unless you have a flotation device in your possession. #WaterSafety #SummerSafety #LifeguardShortage

Class is in session! Thanks to Taylor Bruck at Spectrum 1 for visiting us at the Cleveland YMCA earlier this month during a swim lesson with students from Cleveland Metropolitan School District. AquaMissions' Learn to Swim Pilot with Cleveland Schools and YMCA aims to teach children an essential life skill in swimming and water safety. Generations of inequitable access leave Black and LatinX children ages 10-14 at an almost 8 times greater risk of drowning. With a groundswell of public and private support, AquaMissions aims to bring this Learn to Swim program to all 2,500 Cleveland 4th graders in the coming school year. Donate at aquamissions.org. #LearnToSwim #WaterSafety #Equity #Swimming #LifeSkills

AquaMissions, Lynne Nagy, Cleveland Metropolitan Schools and YMCA of Greater Cleveland were featured today on WEWS-TV! We are delighted to share the impact of this program with the #Cleveland community! #SwimLessons #DrowningPrevention #WaterSafetyAwarenessMonth