Zero Drownings Miami-Dade Expands Its Reach

The Zero Drownings Miami-Dade Partnership continues to grow its lifesaving reach. In May 2026, the initiative announced $350,000 in new support from Bloomberg Philanthropies and Griffin Catalyst to expand free swim and water-safety instruction and help advance the program’s transition to year-round service.

Since launching in 2024, Zero Drownings Miami-Dade has provided 38,150 water-safety and swim lessons to 5,234 children from 130 schools and child-care centers, using 25 pools throughout the community. The collaborative initiative brings the Parks Foundation together with The Children’s Trust, Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the American Red Cross, The Miami Foundation, United Way Miami and other public, private and philanthropic partners.

The Parks Foundation continues to facilitate the innovative technology platform that helps power the initiative, providing an all-in-one system for online registration, partner enrollment, class scheduling, student progress tracking, data sharing and instructor reporting.

“The Parks Foundation is proud to support the Zero Drownings initiative in partnership with Miami-Dade County Parks and fellow collaborators who share its lifesaving mission,” said Caroline O’Connor, President of the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade. “By teaching children essential swimming skills, we’re giving them the foundation for a lifetime of safety and confidence around water.”

Zero Drownings Miami-Dade received national recognition in 2025, earning Best in Category: Children and Youth in the National Association of Counties Achievement Awards.

Learn more at ZeroDrowningsMiamiDade.org