ATLANTA — An Atlanta nonprofit is working to set students up for success, not only in the classroom, but in the water as well.
Horizons Atlanta is celebrating its 10th year this summer and its mission to provide academic enrichment in underserved communities. The 6-week summer program focuses on literacy, mathematics and swim skills for K-8 public school students in the metro Atlanta area.
"One of the integral parts of our summer program is the swim lessons," Alex Wan, executive director of Horizons Atlanta, explained. "Our rising first graders, nearly two thirds, of them this is the first time they've been in the pool. So it is a big thing to overcome for them."
Beginning with the first week of the program, students receive math and literacy support as well as daily swim instruction. Younger students or those new to swimming ease in by getting their heads wet and learning life-saving skills like floating, Wan, who also serves as an Atlanta City Council member representing District 6, said. The goals are two-fold and focus on swim safety and confidence-building, with the hope kids return for nine summers at Horizons.
"That awareness of 'I can do this. I'll be ok,'" Wan added. "And even the times I feel a little scared there will be other people around me to help. Not just in the water, but in life as well."
Nine-year-old Brittney spoke on the fear she first felt in the beginning, but now she envisions a future on the swim team.
"I don't panic," she said. "I don't put myself against the wall anymore. I feel like a super hero, and I'm getting better and better."
11Alive got a chance to check in on swimmers' progress during the program's swim meet for rising 4th graders at Georgia Tech. The meet was a "milestone" moment for Horizon participants, marking both the midway point for the k-8 program and a chance to celebrate students' progress in the water.
"It's amazing because I did so good, and I was brave enough," 9-year-old Yusif shared after swimming the freestyle. "It's so good I can experience this."