Dr. Charles van der Horst Water Safety Initiative
Providing an opportunity for every child to be safe in and around water
Swim for Charlie is teaching second-grade North Carolina students life-saving water safety skills.
During the 2022-2023 school year, Swim for Charlie had 788 students participate, bringing the total number of students served since the program’s inception in spring 2020 to 985. The Orange County Sportsplex hosted seven Orange County Schools, while North Carolina Central University, along with Hollow Rock Racquet and Swim Club, hosted eight Durham Public Schools. In the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year, Swim for Charlie plans to expand to other aquatic centers, enabling more Durham Public Schools to participate.
Swim for Charlie hopes to expand to other North Carolina school districts to provide water safety education to more second graders.
A FORCE FOR GOOD
In his actions as a social justice activist, caring clinician, medical researcher, Public Health crusader, and philanthropist, Charlie was involved in many activities benefiting vulnerable populations.
In keeping with Charlie’s values, his love for swimming, and interest with youth, Charlie’s fellow swimmers and friends, inspired by his actions, have formed a nonprofit charitable organization in his name to make children safer in and around the water.
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children
No child is ever water safe. The goal of swim lessons is to make children SAFER in, on, and around water.
- 10 people drown each day in the United States
- 80-100 near drownings occur daily in the United States
- 79% of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have little-to-no swimming ability
- 64% of African-American, 45% of Hispanic/Latino, and 40% of Caucasian children have little to no swimming ability.
- 88% of childhood drownings can be prevented with formal swimming lessons
Partnership
