News

"Swimming should be a right, not a privilege," says Rishona Hyman, Owner of Aqua Essence, and Director of Swim With Me!. "Everyone needs to learn how to swim, and there shouldn't be barriers for young people to do so." 

Thanks to a Women's Endowment Fund (WEF) grant, Hyman's belief was put into action for a group of girls who otherwise wouldn't have had the opportunity to learn.

The WEF grant funded a 10–12 week swimming and water safety program, which saw Swim With Me! partner with a school in a high-risk community for girls aged 10–13, taught by Aqua Essence's instructors.  

"These girls never had access to formal lessons," says Hyman.  "For some, this was their very first time in a pool. Many had never worn a bathing suit or been swimming in anything other than everyday clothing."

To navigate sensitivity and barriers around body image and cultural comfort, Swim With Me! utilized part of the grant to purchase rash guards for the girls, creating a private, welcoming environment where they could feel safe and confident.

The girls in the program received bathing suits, hygiene products, and transportation to and from lessons. The consistency of the same instructors every week helped build trust and meaningful relationships for the students, creating connections with role models in the process.

The program's impact was felt both in and out of the water, with their school reporting improvements in attendance, confidence, and social engagement. For many of these students, extracurricular activities are not accessible. This program gave them something to look forward to, providing structure and skill-building they had not felt before. 

Beyond learning to swim, the girls practiced life-saving techniques, became comfortable in the water, and gained basic safety awareness.

"The drowning rate in Canada is quite high," says Hyman.  "But it is also very preventable. Very basic swimming experience and water safety can have a huge impact."