Community Support Needed
It may be bitterly cold outside, and swimming may be the last thing on many Long Islanders’ minds, yet according to the American Red Cross there is no better time to get youth into the water.
“In many ways, we dread the beginning of summer because as soon as the weather gets nice, we know that a child will drown because they find themselves falling into or going too deep into a backyard pool—and into trouble—because they don’t know how to swim,” said Frank Cassano, chief executive officer of the Nassau County Red Cross.
Sadly, the drowning rate is three-times higher in low-income communities where, according to USA Swimming, the issue is access to facilities or the ability to afford lessons.
To help turn the tide, the Nassau Red Cross created Project End—End Needless Drowning. Geared for children ages 6-8, the program consists of sixteen 50-minute lessons to instill confidence and teach children how to manage themselves when in the water—all at no cost.
“While it makes perfect sense, pulling it all together has been a challenge,” said Cassano. “When you look at the costs involved with instructors, pools, equipment, it costs an average of $300 per child. In this economy, we are all hurting.”
So, last spring, the Red Cross sought to enlist the aid of other Long Island nonprofits to get Project END off the ground. Among them were the Glen Cove Boys and Girls Club who saw that the program could serve several purposes.
“In addition to learning to swim, we saw that Project END could help our young people be more responsible and safe in water settings and set a good example for their younger siblings and peers,” said Melissa Tierney, executive director of the Glen Cove Boys and Girls Club. “Programs like this can teach youth about goal-setting and the value of hard work and commitment—helping them gain an inner confidence that they can achieve their goals if they just listen, learn and try.”
The agencies then turned to the Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center, in East Hills, for use of their indoor pool under the direction of Marshall Kurland, JCC aquatics supervisor, and Diana Price, aquatics director for the Nassau Red Cross.
“We are extremely proud to be able to host Project END; teaching kids the importance of water safety is an investment in our future,” said Kurland.
While many generous donors threw their support behind the program, it took a grant from the United Way of Long Island to cover the bulk of the expenses. Still, one more challenge stood in the way.
“We had the kids, the pool and the instructors but sadly, most of the kids had no means to get from Glen Cove to East Hills,” said Cassano. “Fortunately, when I told Pierce Coach Lines of our dilemma, they offered the service of their buses at a significantly reduced fee.”
Based in Roslyn, Pierce Coach Lines, and the Pierce Country Day Camp and School, have long been supportive of Red Cross efforts to bring preparedness training to youth on Long Island.
Now, with summer passed and most people waving goodbye to their pools, Project END was finally underway. Twenty children participated in the first class which graduated Nov. 30. A second group from the Boys and Girls Club is now in the water.
“We have all heard the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and in the case of Project END, several agencies have united in order to provide youth with an opportunity to gain a vital life skill,” said Tierney. “This program is a true reflection of pure collaboration and cooperation.”
And more importantly, it’s saving—and changing—lives.
“My director of operations, Franca Trunzo, likes to tell me a story about a child named Frank,” relayed Tierney. “Well, he could not swim at all and was afraid to let go of the wall or his instructor, Carolyn. Sixteen weeks later, he is confident and able to swim independently— and now enjoys the water tremendously!”
Of course, money does not last forever and now the Red Cross is desperately seeking additional funding to continue Project END not only in Glen Cove, but throughout Nassau County.
“Many of us take swimming for granted because, simply put, we can afford to,” said Cassano. “However, what we cannot afford is to open the newspaper or turn on the television each June and hear another story about a child who has drowned and scream ‘why’ when we know why and we can do something about it.”
To support Project END, make a secure donation online at www.nassauredcross.org or mail a check to American Red Cross, 195 Willis Avenue, Mineola, NY 11501. For more information, call (516) 747-3500.
