HOUSTON – When summer arrives in Houston, the water is calling — but for too many children, it can turn deadly in an instant. A string of drownings in Harris County over the weekend has renewed urgency around a critical question: do kids have the water safety skills they need to survive? The YMCA of Greater Houston and Reliant are answering that call Wednesday, July 8, bringing free swim lessons and hands-on water safety education to 320 underserved children through the Safety Around Water program.
Recommended Videos
The event runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Weekley Family YMCA, located at 7101 Stella Link Rd. in Houston. Children will receive instruction in essential water survival skills, including floating, the front crawl, CPR and other lifesaving techniques designed to build confidence and prevent drownings.
Why water safety education matters
The need for programs like this one is stark. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4. The American Red Cross reports that 64% of African American, 45% of Hispanic/Latino and 40% of Caucasian children have few to no swimming skills — a disparity that disproportionately impacts underserved communities.
The Safety Around Water program was built specifically to close that gap, bringing swim instruction and water safety education directly to apartment complexes, schools and partner organizations across Texas.
A partnership eight years in the making
Reliant has supported the Safety Around Water program for eight years, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to local youth. This year’s event will include remarks from Stephen Ives, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Houston, and Sidney Evans, director of community engagement at Reliant, both of whom will speak to the importance of drowning prevention and swim education.
A goal bigger than one event
Wednesday’s event is part of a broader mission. Across the Greater Houston area, the YMCA of Greater Houston has set a goal of reaching more than 18,000 children through its comprehensive aquatics programs — offered at YMCA centers, community outreach locations and apartment communities throughout the region. Together, the organizations are working to equip children with the skills they need to stay safe around water while building healthier, stronger and more connected communities.