Fort Worth Drowning Prevention Coalition

Our Impact: 5096 non-swimmers now safer in and around water. Increased accessibility to water safety & swim lessons in Fort Worth. Program ethnicity: 57% Hispanic, 23% African-American, 14% Caucasian, 2% Asian, 4% Other. 82% of students demonstrate comfort in the water by the conclusion of class. Over 1000 learn-to-swim scholarships awarded following successful completion of drowning prevention classes. Over 5000 life jackets distributed. 6-month post survey revealed 100% retention of PFDs and 90% of recipients had had reason to use the life jackets. Parent/caregiver education to over 1200 community members who have now become our ambassadors for water safety within their own network of family & friends. Drowning is a community problem requiring a community response. Our grassroots efforts to date have engaged 1200 volunteers for >15000 hours on deck and approximately 3500 board hours. 99.7% of volunteers reported in a post-survey the desire to volunteer in the future. Roughly 1/3 of the volunteers we have trained are young adults who have learned life-long teaching skills and were seen as role models by young students. United States Swimming Association, National Hero Award 2017. National Drowning Prevention Alliance, National Community Lifesaver Award 2015. Certificate of Recognition from Fort Worth Mayor & City Council, Sept 2015.

Our Needs

The Fort Worth Drowning Prevention Coalition is a grassroots, volunteer-driven community collaboration that provides no-to-low-cost drowning prevention lessons to at-risk community members as well as educates adults on issues of water safety and supervision. Because program revenue is minimal, funding is needed for program delivery, marketing, participant, volunteer, and parent/caregiver incentives, and the non-sexy but essential liability insurance. Program expansion to year-round programming depends on a glut of volunteer resources. And, finally, in-kind donations in the form of Coast Guard-approved life jackets, swimsuits, caps & goggles, and printed material are critical to our mission.