The Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego and San Diego Gas & Electric kicked off an important swim lesson program for kids at Barrio Station Pool on Monday.
For the past 5 years, PDFSan Diego and SDG&E have partnered to bring the program teaching the life skill of swimming to the underserved community. This summer, thanks to support and funding of $15,000 from SDG&E, approximately 1,000 kids will have the opportunity to learn to swim.
In addition, PDFSanDiego has contributed additional funding of $20,000 to keep the Barrio Station pool open to provide these services during the summer months from July 1st – August 30th.
According to “Buc” Buchanan, President of the Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego, “No child is ever water safe. The goal of swim lessons is to make children SAFER in, on and around the water. We need to do more to provide this life skill opportunity to all children in San Diego County.”
Some key stats include:
- Among children 1-14, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death.
- Formal swimming lessons reduces the likelihood of childhood drowning by 88%.
- 79% of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have little-to-no swimming ability.
Barrio Station Pool is located at 2175 Newton Ave. in San Diego.