-When Chezik Tsunoda looks out on a pool full of kids
swimming, she sees joy,
[water splashing]
laughter,
and a parent's ultimate sorrow.
(NEWS BROADCASTER) Disbelief after a four-year-old
drowned in a neighbor's swimming pool.
-There was a parent present at the time of the incident.
-It was truly a case of someone thought someone was watching
and that someone thought someone else was watching.
Kids were playing in the pool.
Yori was on the steps
and at some point Yori was floating in the pool.
We attempted CPR.
First responders came, we got him to the hospital.
But ultimately, he did not make it.
[melancholy music]
-As Chezik grieved the loss of her four-year-old
son, Yori, she learned she was far from alone.
CDC figures show drowning is the number one
cause of death in our country for 1 to 4 year olds.
-My initial
thing was just to scream, “Hey, don't let your kids drown!”
And then you realize
no one thinks their kids are going to drown.
-And that's when her grief turned into action.
-We've done a really great job this week.
-Chezik founded a nonprofit called No More Under that
offers free
swim lessons for children who may have never
had the opportunity to swim.
Like these kids
at an apartment complex pool just outside of Renton.
-You're doing it!
I'm so proud.
-Studies show the challenges
they're up against in the water
run deeper than you might think.
-When you dig in a little further,
you realize that Black and brown
children are drowning 4 to 5 times more.
-That led Chezik to team up with a new city program called
Swim Seattle.
-And go!
-A drowning prevention initiative,
which is offering 250 local kids free swim classes
this summer
and bringing to the surface
a life or death matter of equity
when it comes to water safety.
-We're focusing on under-resourced families
and those most at need because there is a lack of access.
There's so many barriers:
time, money, cultural differences.
As much as we can do to break down
barriers and stigmas and misunderstandings,
that's the goal.
-But keeping
kids safe in the water is just part of the story.
Swim instructors with No More Under say parents
have a lot to learn too.
-So what's the question that we ask an adult
when we want to go swimming?
Will you...? -(kids saying together) Watch me?
-Will you...? -(kids saying together) Watch me?
-Noelle Singleton facilitates these classes,
which are sometimes just a week long,
to encourage as many people as possible to join in.
-If you see that somebody needs
help, never, ever, ever get in the water.
-The lessons are more about survival
and less about learning different swimming strokes,
and they're truly a community effort.
-We've had children
who had to translate for their parents,
but it's
been an amazing opportunity
because we're still having a conversation,
even if they're asking me
questions in a different language.
We're activating the children to activate the adults.
When the child learns water safety,
the whole family learns water safety,
and that really is a game changer.
-Singleton, who runs a group called AfroSwimmers,
says she's passing along another important lesson, too.
-That is excellent.
-She's giving these kids the confidence they need
in the water to challenge the stereotype
that Black people don't swim.
-We’re sowing a seed.
These are our future swim coaches.
These are our future water safety instructors.
This is how it starts.
And it starts with giving them
a happy memory associated around water.
♪♪
-Happy memories aren't always what Yolanda Weems
thinks about when she went swimming growing up.
-There was not a lot of people that looked like me
that swam.
-But Weems is intent on changing that story for her
grandkids, Liberty and Lyric, and for other kids, too.
-It's very important to be able to know that safety
and be able to swim.
It's fine, is healthy,
and I want my grandbabies and everybody to learn.
-Why can't I swim alone?
-Because you might drown in the water.
-That is a very strong possibility
if you decide to go swimming solo.
That could happen. Yes.
-Turning a drowning that could happen
into something that won't happen
is now up to these young students
and they say they're ready for the task.
-When I say water, you say safety!
Water! -(kids shouting) Safety!
-Very good.
-My favorite part is like having fun in the water and
and learning how to swim.
-I appreciate you all being here.
-And for Chezik Tsunoda, each lesson is bittersweet.
A reminder of the child she lost and a connection
to the children her work could save.
-I really believe that Yori has guided me to this
place, and it's been everything
to stay close to him in this way.
There are some days that are way harder than others,
and then you have days where you see and hear the kids,
and it really does...
You know, you're making a difference.
[water splashing and children playing]
♪♪
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or find us any time online at SeattleChannel.org.
♪♪