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impact 2025

Changing lives Aquati

is the work. is the medium.Aquatics

Dear Friends and Supporters,

The 2024–2025 year at SwimRVA was nothing short of extraordinary—and it was made possible by you. Within these pages, you’ll find only a glimpse of what your generosity set in motion.

Because of your belief in our mission, SwimRVA continues to turn compassion into measurable impact—saving lives, strengthening health, and building a safer, more resilient community for all.

This year, we reached a powerful milestone with the launch of the SwimRVA Aquatics Continuum, a first-of-its-kind model in our region that weaves aquatics into youth development across the entire school journey. From cost-free swim lessons for second graders to workforce development opportunities that train young people to become professional rescuers in service to their own neighborhoods, the Continuum creates a self-sustaining cycle of safety, leadership, and economic opportunity. It doesn’t just teach skills—it opens doors to purpose, confidence, and livablewage careers of service.

What began as a pilot in 2023 in Richmond’s East End — through partnerships with The Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Center, Peter Paul Development Center, Anna Julia Cooper School, and Richmond

Public Schools — has grown rapidly and impactfully. Today, more than 700 young people across the City of Richmond have access to life-saving water safety skills, water fitness, and workforce pathways — all at no cost to participants and with lasting benefits for our region. With your continued partnership, we are poised to expand this transformative model across every jurisdiction we serve.

Alongside this innovation, we achieved tremendous growth in financial access. Over the past three years, we have tripled our annual financial aid investment because we know this truth to be unwavering: access is everything.This year alone, SwimRVA provided more than $190,000 in financial aid, serving families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level — a level of access virtually unheard of in our region.

None of this happens without you. Your generosity fuels opportunity, equity, and safety — one swimmer, one family, and one community at a time.

Thank you for standing with SwimRVA and for believing in what’s possible when passion meets purpose.

Keep Charging, Executive Director

Introducing SwimRVA’s

continuum model

PRIMARY SCHOOL

INTRODUCING FUNDAMENTAL WATER SAFETY IN THE PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

SECONDARY SCHOOL

BUILDING HEALTH AND RECREATION IN THE AFTER-SCHOOL HOURS

PREPARING STUDENTS TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE AS PROFESSIONAL RESCUERS

SAFETY EDUCATION

HEALTH OPPORTUNITIES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

The need is

Swimming is a truly vital life skill—one that safeguards lives, strengthens public health, and supports local economies. Yet across our region, too many communities lack access to affordable swim instruction, fueling preventable drownings, widening health inequities, and placing unnecessary strain on families and systems alike. Together, we can change this.

lives Saving

Our program is more than swim lessons. It’s empowerment. And for many children in our community, it’s a lifeline — possibly their only chance to acquire these skills.

SwimRVA is leading the charge to drownproof the entire Richmond region. We remove barriers that prevent many families from accessing local pools or swim education.

We bring a free program to public schools across six jurisdictions which has been proven effective with more than 20,000 youth across our region. We developed

a distinct Autism Swims program to turn a dangerous relationship with water into a positive, therapeutic one that lasts a lifetime. And we are rewriting generational histories of non-swimming as we teach youth and adults alike, filling a basic human need for safety. With your support, we can make sure everyone in our community has the chance to navigate life’s waters, both literally and figuratively.

I love the water. Thanks to SwimRVA, I have confidence now.

- Pearl, Swim School Participant

2,815

second graders participated in free Learn-to-Swim lessons in partnership with 32 public schools across 6 jurisdictions

72,419

total swim lessons provided, teaching 5,136 children and adults how to be safe in the water through our SwimRVA Swim School, Autism Swims Program, and collaboration with 12 partner agencies including the Salvation Army Red Shield Center, Peter Paul Development Center, Anna Julia Cooper School, and more.

Building health

Across generations, SwimRVA uses water to break down isolation and build up communities by offering opportunities for young and old alike to move their bodies, nurture their minds and discover new possibilities for themselves and others.

health

From a first introduction to aquatics to a competitive swimmer, from youth to senior — we offer a channel for everyone.We create foundations for a lifetime of good physical health while fostering mental health benefits like self-esteem and teamwork. Through our Rapids and Hammerheads programs we are leaders in swimming for sport because we always put connection first, improving not only technique but relationships with peers and coaches. 42% of all USA-Swimming outreach members (qualifying for free/reduced school lunch) in Virginia were part of SwimRVA Rapids. Through financial aid and philanthropically funded programming, we prioritize making our offerings the most accessible, diverse and inclusive in the region.

Fitness is for everybody. You don’t have to be a star athlete to enjoy moving your body. Physical activity can inspire happiness and longevity in all people.

- Suzanne, Wellness Participant

32,023

wellness visits made to our pools to exercise, including 8,984 therapy sessions in the Weinstein Properties Therapy Pool at our flagship location.

2,366

youth participated in competitive sports, out-ofschool time programs and camp offerings

1,191

seniors discovered connection through our programs

SwimRVA bolsters the economic potential of both the individual and the community.

Creating

opportunity

I was afraid of very deep water. I worked hard and it got easier and easier. You learn a lot about yourself; how hard you can push yourself, how to work in the workforce, and ultimately how to save peoples lives.

- Zyaire, Carver College and Lifeguard School Graduate

736 Aquatics Professional Certifications earned, reducing community risk; 143 Lifeguard School students participated at no cost in partnership with 5 high schools across 3 jurisdictions.

SwimRVA is the Central Virginia hub for professional aquatics industry training — as career starting points or advancement as lifeguard instructors or certified pool operators. We are revolutionizing the industry to reverse alarming national shortages of lifeguards and reduce emergency response and healthcare costs related to drownings. Our pioneering workforce development program takes high school students from little swim ability to certified lifeguards, removing obstacles that prevent young people from getting jobs and pools from being protected. This means more jobs filled and more lives saved.

It also means increased usage of community recreation centers and bolstered sports tourism which boosts local revenue. We not only have hosted every major competition east of the Ohio Valley, we have also achieved the ultra-rare feat of creating our own events with regional and national draw, because where athletes compete, communities prosper. From workforce development to sports tourism, it’s a clear win-win.

$6,881,400 in economic impact, through tourism generating events that welcomed 19,893 visitors to the Richmond region.

through Together, we change lives

aquatics

access difference is The SwimRVA

Philanthropy makes it possible

We proudly champion community health throughout the region, building partnerships and advocating to make aquatic facilities and health resources more acccessible so that everyone can have the opportunity to be safe and

healthy. From senior wellness to summer camps to record-setting meets, we are a unique hub for connection. Together we build much more than better swimmers, we build better communities. Thank you for joining us.

$190,411 in financial aid provided to enable participation across all our programs and facilities

520,130 community members and visitors entered our doors.

It feels nice to have him participate with other neurotypical children— to see him included with everyone else and participate where he can thrive lifelong. This is something he can enjoy for the rest of his life.

- SwimRVA Autism Swims Parent