our Mission
Aquatics pathways
Our Aquatics Pathways mission is to raise awareness and reduce barriers to aquatics accessibility for all ages and abilities so that everyone, especially our Black, African American, Asian American, Indigenous, Latinx, Hispanic, new American/immigrant, refugee communities, and people with disabilities can be water safe and enjoy healthier lives.
Goals and pillars
The goals and pillars below guide us in setting our objectives and measures of success.
Partnerships
We are committed to building the partnerships to form pathways that reduce the risk of drowning in our community for those who have little to no swimming ability due to fears and barriers to access.
Conversation
We invite community conversation to identify barriers, opportunities, and cultivate lasting relationships around access to aquatics.
Culturally Relevant Programming
Collaborate with community partners and service providers to reduce costs and create intentional culturally relevant aquatic programs that reduce barriers and create accessible pathways
Restore Access
Seek to restore access to communities which historically suffer systemic racism and other barriers, preventing access to swimming and becoming water safe.
Engagement
Seek engagement from end users, partners, government entities, stakeholders, community organizations, corporations and businesses, aquatics organizations and water safety organizations.
Where you are
We aim to meet people where they are and facilitate a progression along the continuum of water safety and water competency so that everyone can benefit from opportunities around water.
our values
Respect
Showing respect to listen, learn, and build trust
Equity Inclusion Diversity
Reaching out and including our community's diverse voices
Community
Building community through our efforts
Collaboration
Engaging and working with individuals and organizations
Partnership
Participation, engagement, and diverse voices as part of the process
Supportive / Nurturing
Understanding starting points and building pathways together
Leadership
Guiding and facilitating the discussion to create successful outcomes
Advocacy
Educating, creating awareness, and sharing knowledge
Best In Class
Striving for excellence and learning from others
SPLASHForward established an Aquatics Pathways initiative to create greater equity in access to aquatic opportunities.
We are laying the foundation now so that future programming can be envisioned once the new Bellevue Aquatic Center opens its doors.
SPLASHForward’s role will be ongoing after a new public aquatics facility is built. We aim to be a sustainable programming partner through water safety and learn to swim educational initiatives.
Learn our HISTORY
POOL Art Exhibit
A new powerful exhibit illuminates our country's social history of racial segregation was launched in September 2021 in Philadelphia at a former 1960's pool. Ironically, water was a factor in the opening of the exhibit. Hurricane Ida flooded the space before it could officially open, but you can view it online. It is due to open up in December.
Today's Reality
"In the U.S., 64% of African American, 45% of Hispanic/Latino, and $40% of Caucasian children have little to no swimming ability."
USA Swimming Foundation, 2017 study by Univ. of Memphis
"African American children are 5.5 times more likely to drown in a swimming pool than white children."
CDC Study, May 2014
Making Change
We share a vision where the barriers around access to aquatics are reduced and everyone regardless of their race, age, or ability can celebrate all the benefits that being safe in and around water bring such as the simple joy of being weightless, feeling at peace, improving physical and mental health, growing new skills, gaining confidence, feeling connected to the community, and perhaps achieving success aquatic sports.
We are stronger together!
