Johnnie Means Aquatics has received grant funding from the USA Swimming Foundation Grant this year. This funding will go toward its aim to offer swimming lessons for free or at a reduced fee.
The USA Swimming Foundation chose the organization from its network of swim lesson providers to receive this grant. From 400 applications, 124 youth and 38 adult programs received funding.
In its initial round of funding, the USA Swimming Foundation awarded a total of $780,000 to programs across the country.
“We are deeply thankful for this grant, as it will significantly enhance our learn-to-swim efforts in the community, empowering more individuals with essential water safety skills and fostering a lifelong love for swimming,” said Dominique Hamilton, a coach of Johnnie Means Aquatics Learn to Swim Program. “The money we received will be put toward our year-end goal of graduating new swimmers from our learn to swim program.”
Moreover, the Johnnie Means 3rd Annual International Water Safety Day Festival will be held on May 18, 2024, at the Texas Southern University Recreation Center. The festival aims to “raise awareness about water safety measures and equip individuals with skills and knowledge to prevent drowning tragedies.”
The Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated, represented by the Gamma Phi Sigma Alumni Chapter, will host the festival as part of its Swim 1922 service project.
Maritza Correia McClendon will be the guest speaker for the event. In 2004, she became the first African American female to make the U.S. Olympic swim team and earn a medal. By the time she concluded her competitive swimming career, she had amassed 12 international medals. She is also the spokesperson for the USA Swimming Foundation/Swim 1922.
What the event will include
The event promises activities such as:
- Drowning prevention workshops, during which experts will discuss risk factors, early warning signs, and interventions to prevent drowning,
- Learn-to-Swim demonstrations, where certified instructors will display swimming techniques and basic survival skills for participants,
- Lifeguard Training Session, in which lifeguards will show rescue techniques and talk about their role,
There will also be interactive stations, such as:
- Safe equipment showcase, demonstrating the proper use of life jackets, flotation devices, and other safety equipment for various water activities.
- Pool safety zone, in which participants can learn about pool deck maintenance, among other things,
- Open water awareness, including precautions for boating, kayaking, and exploring beaches safely.
- First aid and CPR training for water emergencies, and
- Family fun zone comprising water-themed games and educational resources.
How it all started
Johnnie Means Aquatics was established in 2022 as a response to curb high rates of drownings in Harris County, especially among children. It was named after the local swimming advocate Johnnie Means, who in 1961 launched an AAU swim team at the South Central YMCA, appealing to AAU to desegregate the sport of swimming in Texas.
The organization, which focuses on making swimming lessons accessible, especially to underserved communities, says drowning is preventable with education and skills.
Deaths by drowning have decreased by a third since 1990 but rose by 16.8% from 2019 to 2020. More than 4,000 such mishaps still occur in the country annually, and almost one in four of them are children. A CDC analysis says that death rates for Black people are 1.5 times higher than for white people. Moreover, rates for Black children aged 5-9 are 2.6 times higher, while those aged 10-14 are 3.6 times higher to drown. Such disparities exist among Asian and Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Native American, and Alaska Native children.
“The USA Swimming Foundation is proud to continue providing Learn-to-Swim opportunities at the local level for both adults and youth,” said Elaine Calip, the executive director of the USA Swimming Foundation. “With the excitement surrounding U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming and the Olympic Games, we anticipate an increased interest in our sport.”
