The Josh Project is to teach inner-city youth how to swim

[Moorbey]

"shelley@oldupaigorge.com
The purpose of The Josh Project is to teach inner-city youth how to swim at no cost! Minorities drown 2.8 more times than white youth. Our mission is to stop the drowning!
The Josh Project

Minority Disparity
Minorities make up a disproportionate number of drownings in the United States every year. In 2002, the most recent year for which statistics are available, nearly 650 children between the ages of 5 and 19 drowned. More than 40 percent of the victims were minorities.
The problem is even worse among black children between the ages of 5 and 19, who are 2.6 times more likely to drown than whites.
Such high rates among minorities, who make up less than a quarter of the U.S. population, signal a systemic problem in the aquatics industry. Experts say minority kids are not learning to swim as often or as well as their white counterparts. They blame a number of thorny issues surrounding the problem - race, class, culture, privilege, poverty - that make it difficult for the industry and minority groups to attack the problem head on.
Meanwhile, few lifeguards, leaders or role models of color exist in the world of swimming. Though some aquatics professionals have taken steps to address the minority drowning problem, experts say the industry has not done enough. And every year, children such as Josh suffer the deadly consequences.
Safe Kids Worldwide, an accident prevention effort, says that low-income children are at greater risk for non-swimming pool drownings. That agency also says black males from ages 5 to 9 have a swimming-pool related drowning rate of 4.5 times that of whites that age, and that black males from 10 to 14 have a pool-related drowning rate 15 times that of whites in that age group.
"Swimming is not a priority with our people," Ms. Butts said. The statistics support her point. "It's a life skill. We really need to know how to swim."
Before the young charges of the Josh Project are labeled competent swimmers, they must first become comfortable enough to jump into water 12 feet deep and swim to the other pool side, at least 10 yards away. That may not happen in four lessons, which is why the Josh Project and GTAC are willing to give swim students the time they need.
In the meantime, Ms. Butts has her hands full. She's visiting churches to tell her heart-breaking story and to plead with parents to see that their children learn to swim.Minority Disparity
Minorities make up a disproportionate number of drownings in the United States every year. In 2002, the most recent year for which statistics are available, nearly 650 children between the ages of 5 and 19 drowned. More than 40 percent of the victims were minorities.
The problem is even worse among black children between the ages of 5 and 19, who are 2.6 times more likely to drown than whites.
Such high rates among minorities, who make up less than a quarter of the U.S. population, signal a systemic problem in the aquatics industry. Experts say minority kids are not learning to swim as often or as well as their white counterparts. They blame a number of thorny issues surrounding the problem - race, class, culture, privilege, poverty - that make it difficult for the industry and minority groups to attack the problem head on.
Meanwhile, few lifeguards, leaders or role models of color exist in the world of swimming. Though some aquatics professionals have taken steps to address the minority drowning problem, experts say the industry has not done enough. And every year, children such as Josh suffer the deadly consequences.
Safe Kids Worldwide, an accident prevention effort, says that low-income children are at greater risk for non-swimming pool drownings. That agency also says black males from ages 5 to 9 have a swimming-pool related drowning rate of 4.5 times that of whites that age, and that black males from 10 to 14 have a pool-related drowning rate 15 times that of whites in that age group.
"Swimming is not a priority with our people," Ms. Butts said. The statistics support her point. "It's a life skill. We really need to know how to swim."
Before the young charges of the Josh Project are labeled competent swimmers, they must first become comfortable enough to jump into water 12 feet deep and swim to the other pool side, at least 10 yards away. That may not happen in four lessons, which is why the Josh Project and GTAC are willing to give swim students the time they need.
In the meantime, Ms. Butts has her hands full. She's visiting churches to tell her heart-breaking story and to plead with parents to see that their children learn to swim.

[Sourakhata]

Swimming is an aptitude of an utmost importance that Afrikan youth as grown up as well have to master wherever they dwell..!
It's astonishing, 'cause even in some littoral Afrikan countries people can't swim. In my homeland, almost 9 out 10 women no matter their age can't swim and are affraid of the sea..!! A real effort to teach has to be made on that field also..!!