Helping Children To Be Safe In And Around Water
The Issue
In April 2008, USA Swimming commissioned the first national research study through the University of Memphis that found:
- Nearly 60 percent of African-American children are unable to swim, nearly twice as many as their Caucasian counterparts.
- Fifty-six percent of Hispanic and Latino children are unable to swim.
- Children in households where parents are non-swimmers are typically not encouraged to learn to swim.
- The youth drowning rate in ethnically-diverse communities is two to three times higher than the national average.
A Solution
Moved by these statistics and several tragic youth drowning deaths, the Memphis community has come together to change the numbers and save lives. Make a Splash Mid-South, was organized by Safe Kids Mid-South, part of an international campaign to prevent accidental injury to children and led locally by Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center. Consisting of representatives of area aquatic facilities, swim clubs and other organizations committed to child safety and wellness, the group’s mission is to increase water safety awareness and expand learn-to-swim programs in our community.
Goals
- Offer free or reduced cost swimming lessons to under-served children
- Improve lifeguard training
- Encourage diversity in swimming
Learn to Swim Programs were launched in February 2009 at the Bickford Aquatics Center.
Help us achieve our goals of saving lives, improving fitness and bridging cultural differences!
Become a Make A Splash Mid-South sponsor. Help provide free swimming lessons, education and swimming scholarships.
Teach your children the importance of helping others by asking birthday party guests to bring swim suits, goggles and towels for economically disadvantaged new swimmers.
To be a part of Make a Splash Mid-South, contact:
Make a Splash Mid-South
C.O. Safe Kids Mid-South
Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center
850 Poplar Avenue, Building One
Memphis, Tennessee 38105
For questions, please contact Susan Helms at helmss@lebonheur.org or 901.287.6730.
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