Learn To Swim On Land

Community safety

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

The SoCal Swim Project, a Swim Up Hill Foundation initiative, tackles high child drowning incidences in Los Angeles County for children aged 6-12 living in African-American, Hispanic-American, and Asian-American low-income communities. In 2022, the County of Los Angeles Public Health Authority states, "drownings are a leading cause of injury death for young children ages 1 to 14.” Our program provides free culturally sensitive swimming lessons. Learning water safety skills reduces childhood drowning tragedies. Meet Chase: Generational trauma blocked Chase's path to water enjoyment—his mom's fear passed down to him from her own lack of swim lessons and limited pool access. Chase inherited his mom's fear of the water. But the SoCal Swim Project changed everything for him. Through free lessons and a supportive learning environment, Chase conquered his fear. Now, he swims confidently alongside his friends, a testament to our program's ability to foster a love of swimming.

Drowning prevention starts here! Paralympic swimming champion Jamal Hill brings swim education and disability awareness to Los Angeles County with the SoCal Swim Project, a Swim Up Hill Foundation initiative. We aim to visit 100 elementary schools, offering free presentations and resources to children ages 6-12 through swim education, disability awareness, and self-confidence building. At the program's core is the innovative "A Bowl, A Bench, And A Bucket: Learn To Swim In Under 5 Hours” Method. This culturally sensitive curriculum uses an engaging approach to teach essential water safety skills in a fun and safe environment. Teacher's curriculum guides and free coloring books further reinforce instruction. Enrolling in the free Swim Up Hill Jr. Academy program benefits all students. Jamal will share his inspiring story and the importance of perseverance. Students will also receive a colorful children's book, “Sammy Swims,” authored by Jamal Hill. Beyond immediate instruction, the SoCal Swim Project creates a lasting impact. The program partners with local schools to certify teachers in the "A Bowl, A Bench, And A Bucket: Learn To Swim In Under 5 Hours” Method, transforming teachers into community water safety champions. This ensures future generations learn critical swim skills to become confident swimmers. Hope floats! Equipping children with water safety skills and a love for swimming creates a wave of confidence, safety, and stronger communities.

Imagine transforming Los Angeles County's waterways from sources of fear to joyful playgrounds. With 529,902 children enrolled in the Los Angeles Unified School District during 2023-2024 school year, the SoCal Swim Project's success story can be replicated on a massive scale. Our program equips children with essential water safety skills, especially those in underserved communities. Picture confident graduates ready to embrace aquatic activities, schools brimming with water safety education, and entire generations learning these life-saving skills. The "Sammy Swims" book extends this impact beyond the pool, fostering a water safety culture within families. Our local impact is merely the first ripple. The SoCal Swim Project envisions a national wave of awareness, collaborating with elementary school districts nationwide to ensure every child enjoys the water safely. Become a wave maker! Partner with us to turn fear into joyful splashes.

The SoCal Swim Project tackles childhood drownings in minority communities by tracking its impact through multiple methods. Methods include skill assessments measuring children's water safety knowledge before, during, and after the program. Parental surveys gauge parents' confidence in their child's water safety skills. Additionally, partnerships with schools ensure program continuation and teacher certification, building a lasting infrastructure for water safety education in these communities. Finally, the SoCal Swim Project monitors overall childhood drowning rates, aiming for a decrease over time. The program's success is evident in measurable skill improvement, increased parental confidence, and our commitment to long-term impact. Learning to swim can open up job opportunities in industries such as lifeguarding, certified swim instruction, and aquatic recreation, providing participants with employment options to support themselves and their families.