About the YWCA Swim for Change Campaign
- Minnesota is one of the healthiest states, but has one of the highest drowning rates in the nation for communities of color.
- According to the Minnesota Department of Health, over the past five years, people of color have been nearly twice as likely to drown as white people in Hennepin County.
The YWCA believes it can break this cycle by increasing access to swimming instruction opportunities for communities of color.
This past summer, two relay teams - on of eight youth, and one of five adults - and their swim coach took on the YWCA Channel Challenge to raise awareness of these health and swimming disparities in Minnesota. They acceppted the challenge to cross the English Channel and Swim for Change!
Not only did these dedicated athletes trained physically and mentally to swim but they also worked together to raise over $70,000 for the Swim for Change campaign. These funds will help support YWCA programs that provide swimming opportunities for underserved children and youth including swim instruction, swim team participation and job training as lifeguards, instructors and coaches.
Becky Roloff, CEO of the YWCA of Minneapolis:
- A big part of the YWCA's mission is to provide equal access to wellness and fitness programs
to people of color in order to improve the health of the entire community. I'm so proud of these swimmers, and
I'm truly inspired by their work to help advance our mission.
Priscilla Zee, member of the YWCA Channel Challenge adult relay team:
- Growing up, swimming was a sport for families with
higher socio-economic status. The Swim for Change campaign will create opportunity for more children
and youth to learn how to swim - not just those who can already afford the lessons. My hope is that
more people get an opportunity to share my love for swimming.
To support the YWCA Swim for Change programs, donate now!
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Donate Now!
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