Stages of Freedom has big plans to put you in the swim, save lives… a new public swimming pool

Stages of Freedom has announced plans to build a new public swimming pool in Providence. The pool would be free for the public to use year-round. Stages of Freedom is a nonprofit organization in Providence focused on raising funds and promoting the importance of learning to swim for all, and particularly for children of color. They have sponsored FREE lessons for thousands of children from throughout Rhode Island.

In the photo, above, are: Ray Rickman, CEO of Stages of Freedom, and Swimming Pool Coordinator Ben Balint-Kurti (right). They met last Thursday with Albert Garcia (center) of KITE Architects to discuss plans for the pool project. Garcia is Principal and co-owner of KITE Architects.

Rickman said, “We are excited to get this project started and hope it will improve people’s lives, especially those of children that we can teach how to swim.”

Rickman’s group announced the new plans in their internal news blog yesterday.

Stages of Freedom’s programs include “Swim Empowerment“. They subsidize swimming lessons at the following “Y’s”, as space allows:

This year the goal is to teach 400 children to swim. According to Stages of Freedom, “We believe that in order to reintroduce swimming into African American communities, it is important to begin with children. Every year, Stages of Freedom provides the funds for an increasing number of RI youth of color to take FREE swimming lessons through 7 partnering YMCAs. Last year, Stages put 311 children in swimming lessons.

Swim Empowerment exploded into activity in Rhode Island after the publishing of its 2013 report, “Removing Barriers to Swimming Proficiency in the Rhode Island African American Community – A Model for the Nation“.

To join the mailing list, learn more, or donate, contact Ray Rickman at: rickman@stagesoffreedom.org.