Swim Safety Corps Program Launched
The Public Housing Community Fund, in partnership with non-profit organization Rising Tide Effect and the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), has launched a first-of-its kind NYCHA Swim Safety Corps program.
Launched on July 11, the six-week program is part of the city’s SYEP program, engaging up to 40 youth ages 16 to 24 living in NYCHA communities. The program prepares participants for the NYC Parks’ Lifeguard Training Program, providing lifesaving and swimming skills as well as exposure to career pathways in the “blue” (aquatic) economy.
Kaitlin Krause, Founder and Executive Director of Rising Tide Effect, developed the program curriculum and explained that it aims to “give young New Yorkers the opportunity to build awareness and understanding of their mind, body, and soul, while unlocking their potential to create a life of wholeness where they can share their greatness with the world.”
Participants in the NYCHA Swim Safety Corps meet three days a week at an indoor pool in Brooklyn as a project-based learning experience. During the paid workday, participants learn a range of water-based activities, such as swimming, treading water, surfing, and kayaking. The program also introduces participants to workforce partners who will help them identify opportunities in water-based careers, develop leadership skills, train for and receive CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) certification, and improve their mental and physical health and overall well-being. They will also learn how to update their resumes and use LinkedIn to create a professional online presence.
“This pilot program is more than just a learn-to-swim program,” Executive Director of the Public Housing Community Fund Alex Zablocki said. “Over the course of six weeks, NYCHA youth will not only learn how to swim and become better swimmers, but learn leadership development skills, explore career pathways in the blue economy, and ready themselves for the NYC Parks’ Lifeguard Training Program in 2024. As an earn-while-you-learn, project-based experience, NYCHA youth will learn lifesaving skills while earning a paycheck and gaining valuable experience in the pool, and on the beach and bay.”
“DYCD is proud that Rising Tide Effect, in partnership with NYCHA and the Fund for Public Housing hosted for the first time more than 20 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) participants living in coastal developments from communities like the Rockaways, East New York, Gowanus, and Downtown Brooklyn,” said NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Deputy Commissioner Valerie Mulligan. “Young people become proficient in swimming, receive CPR and First Aid certification, and are exposed to career opportunities in recreation and green industries. Through this NYCHA partnership and others with the Parks Department and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, DYCD is helping young people dive into safety and aquatic-related careers.”
The Public Housing Community Fund provided a laptop to each participant and a swim kit. Free lunch is offered daily, and participants also receive MetroCards to help them participate in the program.
On July 20, participants met with a professional mermaid, Mermaid Chè Monique, star of the new Netflix docuseries, MerPeople. She spoke about body positivity, inclusivity, and water safety awareness. The participants also met with Andréanna Seymore, Executive Producer of the docuseries.
Rising Tide Effect and the Public Housing Community Fund are looking to expand the program after its pilot run this summer to reach more NYCHA youth.
“Ultimately, our mission is to prevent drownings by imparting life-saving abilities to our participants while also sharing the incredible life skills that swimming allows you to refine,” Ms. Krause said.