I enjoy being active. Running and biking are at the top of my list but there is one activity that really takes the cake for me. I cannot imagine a life without swimming! I don’t actually remember the first time I jumped in a pool and I certainly don’t remember being frightened of the water. I grew up in the water; my teammates, my practices and my coaches helped make me into the person I am today. I never want any child to miss out on that wonderful experience of jumping in the water and feeling completely at home. Unfortunately many kids do, especially kids in urban areas. Luckily for Detroit there is a program helping to make sure every child can swim.

Detroit Swims was started at the Boll Family YMCA and was founded in the summer of 2010 by Nikole Saffle, Senior Program Director at the YMCA. Nikole, like so many other Detroiters, saw a void she knew she needed to fill. Fast forward to last week, March 6th, 2013, where myself and 11 other volunteers gathered at the YMCA to get involved, and do what it takes to ensure that every child that wants to learn will learn to swim. Volunteers ranged in age, background and experience in the water but the thing we all had in common was love of the water and the desire to give the gift of swimming to kids in Detroit.

I am excited to do more volunteering both in the water and on deck with Detroit Swims. Swimming is something that is close to my heart and always will be. I want to be a part of something that included my passion for the water as well as giving back to the youth of the city and that is exactly why I have chosen to dedicate my personal time to Detroit Swims. I will be a part of teaching 1,500 Detroit children to swim in 2013.