YWCA Minneapolis Promotes Water Safety During World Drowning Prevention Day
Organization addresses racial disparities in water safety through accessible programming and scholarships.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2025, MINNEAPOLIS – Drowning is swift, silent and most importantly—preventable. On World Drowning Awareness Day (July 25), YWCA Minneapolis is raising awareness about the importance of water safety and swimming education, especially in communities that face the greatest barriers to access.
According to the World Health Organization, every year, roughly 300,000 people worldwide lose their lives to drowning; nearly one in four are children under five, and 92 percent of deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
In Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resouces reported 46 drowning deaths in 2024.
"With more than 10,000 lakes, water is a big part of life in Minnesota, which is why it’s important that everyone feels confident and safe in and around the water,” says Andrew Hossalla, General Manager of Health and Wellness. “Swimming isn’t just a recreational skill—it’s a life-saving one. Our goal is to make it accessible for all, no matter your income, age, background or experience.”
Breaking Down Barriers to Water Safety
While swimming should be for everyone, not all communities have equal access. Factors like cost, cultural stigma and lack of facilities keep many children from ever learning to swim.
Findings from a survey completed by the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago found that, fewer than fifty percent of Black and Latinx children had swim lessons, compared to 76% of white children. And, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), black youth are seven times more likely to drown than white youth.
YWCA Minneapolis is working to change the narrative by providing affordable, culturally inclusive swim programs.
Building A Water-Safe Community
From a six-lane, 25-yard lap pool to a zero-depth-entry leisure pool, YWCA Minneapolis offers a wide range of aquatic programming designed to be safe, welcoming and empowering. In 2024 alone, more than 1,000 people participated in swim lessons at YWCA Minneapolis, including 221 preschoolers and over 100 youth program participants who received free lessons.
YWCA Minneapolis’ Girls Inc. Eureka! program also integrates water safety into its broader mission of empowering girls—especially from marginalized communities—to explore STEM fields and develop lifelong skills.
“Part of what our program encourages is for our participants to take risks, safely.” Said Claire Allen, YWCA Minneapolis, Girls Inc. manager. “Swimming can bring up fears or insecurities, which is why YWCA Minneapolis is the perfect place to face these fears while they are safe and supported.”
Swim Lessons for All Ages
YWCA Minneapolis offers year-round swimming lessons, including the current Late Summer Swim Sessions running through August 14. Lessons range from six months to adulthood, ensuring that no matter what age and skill level one is, learning to swim is for everyone.
Every swim lesson is designed to:
Build water safety skills
Increase confidence in and around water
Improve technique and endurance
Why This Work Matters
By offering affordable, inclusive swim programs, YWCA Minneapolis is working toward a future where all children and families, regardless of race or income, have the knowledge and skills to stay safe in the water.
About YWCA Minneapolis
YWCA Minneapolis is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women and girls. For more than 130 years, YWCA Minneapolis has led initiatives to challenge social injustices, particularly at the intersections of race and gender. Each year, the organization serves more than 15,000 people through high-quality programs and advocacy focused on racial justice, early learning, youth development and wellness.