With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Kaiser, LA launch summer swim program for disadvantaged
In this file photo, kids cool off at the Glassell Park Pool in June 2013. A program sponsored by the city of L.A. and Kaiser Permanente that kicked off Monday provides free swimming lessons to low-income children and adults.
(
Mae Ryan/KPCC
)
The summertime "Operation Splash" was set to kick off on Wednesday in Los Angeles.
This is the ninth year in a row Kaiser Permanente Southern California is sponsoring the program, which provides free swimming lessons for low-income children and adults at city pools.
Kaiser spokeswoman Sandra Hernandez-Millet estimated about 6,000 people will take advantage of the program.
"We want the kids to be more active. We want them to sit less, move more, and what better way for them to be active than during the summer. And if they don't know how to swim, this program is there to help not only the children but their parents learn to swim," Hernandez-Millet said.
Sponsored message
Kaiser partnered with the L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks, giving the city a 265,000 grant this year to run it.
Kaiser also sponsors "Operation Splash" programs in other Southern California counties, including Riverside and San Bernardino.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
