skip navigation
Community Matters

Carolina Swims Foundation

Carolina Swims Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) health organization that provides sponsored swim lessons and aqua-therapy to underserved children and children in foster care to prevent drownings.

 

Vision: To prevent fatal and non fatal drownings by "Giving the Gift of Swim"  to all children.

 

Mission:  To safeguard underserved children and children in foster care from drowning by equipping children with the survival life skill of swimming, and through the medium of swim lessons help children  build mastery in their own lives for preservation and actualization both mentally and physically.


Drowning


Giving the Gift of Swim to All Children

Definition of Drowning:

Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment during submersion in a liquid medium, results are either fatal (death) or non fatal (can have permanent life long damage)

 

Drowning Numbers in the USA per the CDC:

#1 cause of unintentional injury death in children 0-4 yrs

#2 cause of unintentional injury death in children 5-14 yrs

#6 cause of unintentional injury death for all ages

11 Fatal drowning deaths occur each day in the USA (includes boating)

22 Non Fatal drownings occur each day in the USA

African American children 5-19 yrs of age drown in swimming pools at rates 5.5 times higher than White children, and rates 10 times higher for children 11-12 yrs

• For every child that dies from fatal drowning, another 8 children receive medical care for non fatal drownings

40% of the non fatal drownings require Emergency Department and Tertiary Care (severe outcomes include: brain damage, long term disability, permanent loss of basic function) 

Carolina Swims Foundation has "Given the Gift of Swim" to over 500 children in North Carolina.  By giving children the opportunity to learn how to swim, children advance their sensory tools for cognition, physical and mental health development.  The children build physical strength, confidence in their ability to problem solve and knowledge of water safety.  Water is a calming stimulate for individuals with sensory needs.  Many children in the foster care system would never otherwise have the opportunity to learn how to swim.  Giving children the survival life skill of swimming will safeguard their life.  Sadly, many children have survived early neglect and/or abuse, and as a result have sensory processing issues.  Swimming/Aqua-therapy can help to heal and advance a child's sensory processing abilities, improve cognition, improve gross and fine motor skills empowering them with the survival life skill that can save their life.  Carolina Swims Foundation combats the rates of drowning by "Giving the Gift of Swim" to underserved children and children in foster care. We are passionate about saving future lives and helping children through the medium of swimming to develop mastery in their own lives.  


DONATE NOW

Please DONATE TO HELP "GIVE THE GIFT OF SWIMto underserved children and children in foster care.  


To Register Children for Swim Lessons - Please Click on the Registration Link in the Geographic Location that is Most Convenient For You.

Survival Life Skill - Drown Proofing the Next Generation

We are passionate about helping children.  Every child is deserving of the survival life skill of swimming. Please register below with pool location in the geographic location that is most convenient for you.

 

If you have any questions please call (919)593-4974 or email children@carolinaswimsfoundation.org

Charlotte, NC

DURHAM, NC - REGISTRATION LOCATIONS

APEX, NC - REGISTRATION LOCATIONS:

CARY, NC - REGISTRATION LOCATIONS:

WAKE FOREST, NC - REGISTRATION LOCATIONS:

CHAPEL HILL, NC - REGISTRATION LOCATIONS:

GREESNBORO, NC - REGISTRATION LOCATIONS:

Address:
924 Pinehurst Drive
Chapel Hill, NC, 27517

Email:
children@carolinaswimsfoundation.org

Phone:
919-593-4974


Facebook Feed

Mailing list

MailChimp is currently unavailable. Please check back later.


Sponsors & Partners in Giving the Gift of Swim to Children

These fine organizations make what we do possible. Please show your support to these amazing sponsors and thank them for their commitment to our organization. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Click here to learn more about our sponsorship opportunities.

Sponsored by Children's Home Society

Children's Home Society

Visit Website

The Power of Family

Family is our safety net, our refuge, our light in the dark. We give more children the opportunity to experience the transformative effects of a loving home … and give families the resources they need to thrive.


Sponsored by The Michael Curran Foundation

The Michael Curran Foundation

Visit Website

Our Mission

To Positively Impact The Lives of Children and Young Adults

 

“We are pleased to partner with Carolina Swims Foundation to save lives in the Triangle.  Providing life saving swim lessons is in alignment with our mission to positively impact the lives of children and young adults," stated Michael Curran, President.


Sponsored by National Drowning Prevention Alliance

National Drowning Prevention Alliance

Visit Website

Tortora Family Fund


Sponsored by Best Love Family Foundation

Best Love Family Foundation

Visit Website

This non profit organization provides supplies and funding to foster families and children


Giving Tree Reality


Sponsored by Kingdom Word Ministries, Inc

Kingdom Word Ministries, Inc

Visit Website

We are excited about this great privilege to partner with Carolina Swims foundation. We, Kingdom Word Ministries and SAY(Save Another Youth mentoring program) together with your organization have the youth at heart. It makes us happy to see love manifested in such a unique and great way to the youth. The smiles on their faces because of your organization will make the difference one child at a time. We are ecstatic that we have been afforded the opportunity to benefit from your services and look forward to magnifying the overall VISION to impact, empower and educate our youth together. 

Sponsored by F.M. Kirby Foundaion

F.M. Kirby Foundaion

Visit Website

Philosophy And Mission

The F. M. Kirby Foundation is a family foundation which aims effectively to manage and utilize that which has been entrusted to it over multiple generations of the Kirby family. It strives to make thoughtful and prudent philanthropic commitments to highly selective grantee partners. The goal of the foundation is to invest in opportunities that foster self-reliance or otherwise create strong, healthy communities. The Board of Directors recognizes that achieving its philanthropic aspirations takes time, effort, and perseverance that often result in sustained funding relationships.

Sponsored by Jack and Jill of America, Inc

Jack and Jill of America, Inc

Visit Website

The Durham Chapter of Jack and Jill is excited to partner with Carolina Swims Foundation to provide free swim lessons and swim equipment for children in the foster care system in North Carolina. The Durham Chapter was selected as a 2020 recipient of the Red Cross NADPA Swim Sponsorship in the amount of $2000.  This grant is being used to provide greater water safety awareness, swim instruction, and swimming gear.  Each child will be provided a ‘survival pack’ which includes items such as bathing suits, goggles, towels, swim caps, swim toys, and water bottles.

 

Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated was founded in 1938, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of African-American leaders. The organization continues to encourage dedicating its resources to improving the quality of life for all African-American children. The Durham Chapter of Jack and Jill celebrated its 75th Anniversary in October, and continues to serve communities in Durham, Orange, Chatham and Granville Counties.  

 

 

 


Sponsored by Dr. Jeffrey Brown

Dr. Jeffrey Brown

Visit Website

"In the absence of North Carolina swimming laws requiring lifeguard standards for all kids, Carolina Swims is setting new standards when it comes to guarding against the waste and terror of drowning.  Carolina Swims is reducing the risk of drowning by increasing the number of qualified guards around the water.  If you know a child—any child—then you have a reason for being invested in Carolina Swims," stated Dr. Jeffrey Brown.



Sponsored by Swim For Charlie

Swim For Charlie

Visit Website

Non profit organization that provides free swim lessons with partnership of Orange County schools at the Orange County Sportsplex



Sponsored by Frogglez

Frogglez

Visit Website

Adjustable Goggles - Autism Certified Resource

Frogglez Goggles were invented by Christian Hahn after watching his daughter struggle with leaking swim goggles that pulled her hair. She wasn’t alone, all of the kids in her swim lesson lacked the motor skills to get their goggles to fit. Frogglez have a patented goggle strap that is easy for kids to manage independently. Our innovative swimming goggle design is used in adaptive swim programs around the world.

Sponsored by Goldfish Swim School

Goldfish Swim School

Visit Website

"Kids Swim Lessons - Using Fun to Boost Cognitive Growth

 

While swimming is a valuable life skill in and of itself, our lessons also work to boost your child’s cognitive growth in a fun, social and safe environment. Our premier swim schools keep class sizes small and use The Science of SwimPlay® to propel children’s potential so they can succeed both in and out of the water. We offer a wide variety of swim lesson plans, including infant and toddler swim lessons!"

 


Sponsored by The Triangle Aquatic Center

The Triangle Aquatic Center

Visit Website

Our Mission

To build and operate public aquatic facilities for the health, safety, recreation and competition needs of Triangle citizens and aquatic organizations.


Sponsored by Michael & Laura Brader-Araje Foundation

Michael & Laura Brader-Araje Foundation

Visit Website

Mission

The Michael & Laura Brader-Araje Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the people of North Carolina. In an ongoing effort to enrich lives and expand opportunities, the Foundation supports innovative programs in North Carolina dedicated to children, education, health care, women's rights, and the natural environment.

Empowerment, education, and entrepreneurship-these values are at the core of the Michael & Laura Brader-Araje Foundation.

Sponsored by Strowd Roses

Strowd Roses

Visit Website

Strowd Roses, Inc. is a private charitable foundation established in 2001 under the will of Mrs. Irene Harrison Strowd of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. We fund local nonprofitsand projects that improve the quality of life for residents of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. We also provide for the on-going maintenance and care of the Gene Strowd Community Rose Garden, a free and public space in Chapel Hill.