Ep. 66 Drowning is Preventable: The Y’s Call to Action

Please note that this episode contains mentions of fatal drownings. Listen with care. 

Today, we’re diving into one of the most vital—and lifesaving—initiatives at the Y: water safety. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children, and the Y is on a mission to change that. Joining us today are three passionate changemakers who are helping the Y turn the tide on drowning prevention: Megan Benvenuto, Group Vice President and Executive Director of the Northwest Cobb Family YMCA who oversees the YMCA’s association-wide aquatics program; Shannon Atty, Aquatics Director at the Northwest Family YMCA; and Ryan Greenstein, the Y’s Advocacy Program Manager and lead for the Atlanta Water Safety Coalition. Together, we’ll explore how the Y is teaching thousands of children to be safe around water—especially in under-resourced communities—and how partnerships, policy, and passion are driving this work forward.

IN THIS EPISODE:   

• (00:00) Intro: Catch up with Zarinah, Robert, and Allison

• (02:48) Today’s focus: water safety to prevent drownings

• (03:54) What sparked the guests’ interest in water safety and drowning prevention 

• (09:08) Metro Atlanta faces challenges due to rising drowning rates, and Megan details the plan to teach 10,000 children to swim safely in 2025

• (15:14) The focus of the Atlanta Water Safety Coalition

• (21:16) Shannon recounts a story illustrating the program’s transformative effect

• (23:05) Engaging policymakers to secure funding and support initiatives 

• (30:02) The importance of dedicated watchers, accessible safety skills, and online resources for drowning prevention

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Drowning prevention is critical and is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children, particularly ages 1-4, with rising rates in Georgia, emphasizing the need for water safety initiatives.

• The YMCA, through the Atlanta Water Safety Coalition, collaborates with community partners, secures grants, and advocates for policy changes, such as offering lifeguard training as physical education (PE) credit. Additionally, the organization provides scholarships to deliver swim lessons to under-resourced youth. 

• Having a designated watcher and teaching accessible, memorable water safety skills (e.g., life jacket use, "reach and throw, don’t go") are crucial to preventing drownings.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook:  YMCA Metro Atlanta

LinkedIn: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Atlanta Water Safety Coalition and Atlanta City Council Join Forces to Proclaim May 2024 as Water Safety Month in Atlanta | Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

BIOGRAPHIES:

Megan Benvenuto, Group VP & Executive Director at Northwest Family YMCA, leads Metro Atlanta YMCA efforts to promote equity. As Aquatics Cabinet Lead, she oversees 16 locations and 23 pools, expanding Safety Around Water to deliver thousands of swim lessons yearly to underserved kids. With 25 years at the YMCA, she doubled giving at Twin Rivers YMCA, boosted membership via Pound Plunge at YMCA Cape Cod, and restored pre-pandemic levels at Northwest Family Y. She earned an MBA from Springfield College (4.0 GPA) and YMCA Organizational Leader certification. A Leadership Cobb 2023 member, she also served on the United Way board.

Shannon Atty, with a Physical Education degree from SUNY Cortland, taught for 13 years before focusing on aquatics at Greenbush Area YMCA as a lifeguard, swim ins