Community Launches SWIM Racine Nonprofit to Enhance Water Safety

Community members in Racine, Wisconsin, have established a new nonprofit organization, SWIM Racine, aimed at enhancing water safety and increasing access to swimming education. The initiative follows the tragic drownings of 15-year-old Shaylani Williams and 12-year-old Marquee Haynes Jr. in August 2023. Williams was swept away from shore at Carre Hogle Park, while Haynes drowned near the Pershing Park boat launch just days later.

The chair of SWIM Racine, Paul Woodward, highlighted the dangers posed by local currents, stating, “The strongest swimmers can run into problems with some of the way the currents work out here.” The organization aims to tackle water safety through a strategic approach focusing on education, infrastructure, and community outreach.

One of the primary goals of SWIM Racine is to eliminate financial barriers to swimming lessons. The organization plans to provide free or low-cost lessons and improve transportation options for families. They are also preparing for a kickoff event at North Beach to celebrate the upcoming swimming season.

“Just come, have fun in the process, and learn how to swim,” said Tyler Townsend, vice chair of SWIM Racine and a City of Racine alderman. Townsend emphasized that his involvement in the nonprofit is as a community member rather than an official.

Beyond swimming lessons, SWIM Racine has ambitious plans to enhance safety measures. This includes increasing the availability of lifeguards and life rings at local swimming areas. “We have a long list of things that we want to do. I mean, we want more friends, we want more signage,” Townsend added.

The organization remains active in discussions with local first responders and other organizations to brainstorm further improvements to water safety. Woodward mentioned that many existing resources are underutilized, stating, “There are a lot of resources that exist currently a lot of people don’t know about.”

In addition to Woodward and Townsend, Cory Sebastian has played a crucial role in establishing SWIM Racine. As a member-at-large on the board, she contributes to the organization’s vision and initiatives.

To encourage community involvement, SWIM Racine is hosting an introductory event at the Racine Public Library on Tuesday, March 15, 2024, from 17:30 to 19:30 in the library’s Community Room. The public is invited to provide feedback and sign up to volunteer.

Both Woodward and Townsend have engaged with various stakeholders, including public officials, law enforcement, and the families of Shaylani and Marquee. “They don’t want any other families to go through that, and neither do we,” Woodward stated, underscoring the organization’s commitment to preventing future tragedies.

As SWIM Racine embarks on this crucial mission, the community rallies around a shared goal: to enhance water safety and ensure that all individuals in Racine have the opportunity to learn how to swim safely.