21 & Change Partners with New Life Village to Create Swim Safety Program

Tampa, FLA. (Sept. 14, 2023)  – 21 & Change, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and young adults with developmental disabilities through Individualized Education Program (IEP) scholarships and advocacy, is thrilled to announce its partnership with New Life Village to create a swimming safety program.

21 & Change is awarding a grant of $6,000 to New Life Village, a pioneering residential community that provides a safe and stable intergenerational village for families seeking permanency for children impacted by foster care or trauma.

This grant will sponsor a new swimming program to support the children within the affordable housing community located in Hillsborough County. Drowning is a significant concern for children, especially children with disabilities, and this program’s objective aims to address this issue head-on. The grant will fund swim safety and swim lesson scholarships for 18 children at New Life Village; these children range in ages from one to 10-years-old and while only some are on 504 plans and IEPs, all have experienced various types of trauma.

The swim lessons will be facilitated in collaboration with another valued community partner, Hudson Valley Swim Northwest Tampa, , and will span an eight-week period. By promoting swim safety and providing essential swim lessons, 21 & Change and New Life Village aim to enhance the safety and well-being of children residing in the Village and across Tampa Bay.

Clayton Clemens, President of 21 & Change, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are honored to work alongside New Life Village and Hudson Valley Swim Northwest Tampa to provide these vital resources for children in our community. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn essential life skills like swimming, and we are committed to making that a reality.”

Mariah Hayden, Executive Director of New Life Village, shared her excitement, saying, “New Life Village is grateful for 21 & Change’s support in our mission to create a nurturing environment for children who have experienced trauma. This grant will enable us to prioritize the safety and well-being of our Village’s youngest members. We are excited to partner with Hudson Valley Swim Northwest Tampa to bring swim safety to our campus.”

Mindi and Alan Gartner, owners of Hudson Valley Swim School, are excited to contribute their expertise to this important initiative. “We are dedicated to making swim safety accessible to all children, and we are thrilled to partner with 21 & Change and New Life Village to achieve this goal,” they said.