Ripple Effects Make Waves of Change

Ripple Effects Make Waves of Change

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Ripple Effects Makes Waves of Change in Olmsted Country by Providing Water Safety and Nutrition Education to Our Neighbors

Written by Shelley Klahs, RN and Photography by Benjamin Zastrow

Earth is covered by 71% water. Nearly every human, regardless of age, is intrigued by water. Water is soothing to us and provokes mystery enticing us to explore it.

The CDC confirms that each year in the United States, there is an average of at least 4000 fatal unintentional drownings. After motor vehicle crashes, drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 5-14. Across the nation, the highest incidence of unintentional drowning occurs in Native American and African American cultural groups.

Due to the fact that swimming lessons are expensive and often not engaged by low-income populations it has become the main reason why learning to swim is greatly limited in our communities.

“Offering the opportunity to learn how to swim to our little ones should be fundamental in any community and must be pronounced as a human right” says Jose Cruz, Fishes ‘n Apples Swimming Program founder, operation coordinator and water instructor.

Historically, some cultures have experienced restrictions and limitations in the use and enjoyment of aquatics facilities and even today certain communities are living that reality. Although the reason may apparently be different, the negative impact is so evident.

It is important to discover and understand the barriers experienced by groups in the highest incidence of drowning victims. Fishes ’n Apples swimming program is very aware of the different and basic needs of each community group such as cultural adaptation, effective communication and the availability of resources.

The CDC Vital Signs report reveals that youth participating in structured swimming and water safety instruction programs can save lives. Fishes ‘n Apples offers swimming lessons and resources to build and promote better health habits through inclusive education/instruction programs for swimming/water safety in local communities.

The University of Minnesota SNAP-Education program recognized a need for swimming and nutrition education for young people in our communities. Development of the Fishes ‘n Apples program was initially funded by an RNeighbors Neighborhood Project Grant in 2019 in Oak Terrace/Parkside neighborhood, a mobile home park with a pool in SE Rochester.

Between 2019 and 2023, approximately 75 students in a high-risk population for drowning were offered the opportunity to participate in learning basic swimming and water safety skill training and an additional benefit for nutritional education. This interaction also supported growth in community connection and engagement of participant’s families, resulting in a tested and proven program.

As shared in an April edition of the Post Bulletin, community partnerships between the SNAP – Education program at the University of Minnesota’s Extension, Rochester Parks and Recreation, Rochester Swim Club and RNeighbors received a Minnesota Youth Water Safety Grant from the Department of Education in late 2023 with the intention to replicate the previously successful program initiated in 2019; allowing to support further water safety education opportunities for 80-100 low-income and at-risk children ages 5-18. The grant supported 8-week sessions of training; the most recent session was completed on June 30th.

Jose Cruz, points out that participants and their families have experienced positive changes because of this program. He shares that being patient with each participant and their families, getting to know them in their neighborhoods and producing a positive life experience, has allowed for successful participation in the program that has spilled over into each family’s daily life.

Milena Nunez Garcia, SNAP-Ed Health and Wellness Coordinator shares that after each swimming lesson, each participant attended a nutritional lesson and enjoyed a healthy snack. They were eager to learn the lessons and participant family members indicated to her that they also appreciated the nutritional lessons as the participants educate their families and go forward to request and suggest health snacks in their home environment.

Recognized ripple effects:

  • By opening the door to new learning and social opportunities to participants, this has impacted their families to also experience community beyond the pool.
  • This program has created a sense of belonging in community, entire families learn trust, honesty, respect that go beyond the family unit.
  • Participants and their families have developed trust in relationships to strengthen community bonds. Also, program developers have a better understanding of cultural barriers for education and wellness.
  • Participants have had the opportunity to develop life skills such as increased confidence, self-esteem, self-motivation to keep learning new things that go beyond water education.
  • The first step in integrating diversity within the community is to hire aquatic staff from different cultural backgrounds so that appositive and lasting interaction takes place. Recognizing these individuals as examples for role models promoting diversity in the greater community.
  • Diverse aquatic staff can participate in a plan to keep the community service going so that more participants have this educative experience.
  • Participants and their families have developed a new awareness of an overall general need for improved health that promotes interest to actively seek more knowledge regarding nutrition, activity and safety.

Jose Cruz shares that he has recognized that planting a seed for kind and respectful behaviors in participants has resulted in appropriate behaviors to listen and learn from authority figures while also having fun. He calls this behavioral “Freedom with Direction”.

Inside the local cultural community this program has focused efforts on, participants and their families have shared by word of mouth about the wonderful experience the Fishes ‘n Apples program has been.

There are plans to continue with the Fishes ‘n Apples Swimming and nutrition program in March 2025. Swimming lessons for children and Lifeguard Training for teenagers will be offered.

If you believe that your community, neighborhood or your local school may benefit from this program, do not hesitate to contact the outreach department for more information.

OUTREACH CONTACTS

Moving forward, the hope is for an ability to receive ongoing financial support to sustain the program toward growth as there remains many communities that can benefit from this program.

These details and more can be viewed at the following:

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