Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to BRIDGET MCKINNEY . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, BRIDGET thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’re complete cheeseballs and so we love asking folks to share the most heartwarming moment from their career – do you have a touching moment you can share with us?
Being the first Black Female Lifeguard in My community. This passion extended years later when learning about two drownings on the same day, 5 min apart. My program was birth vowing to never have another unintentional drowning among our children. 13 years Later, we have serviced over 4000 children during Summer.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
She is a mother of 3 beauties Ivory, Rose, and Jewel. She has been married to Stacey McKinney for 16 years. Currently, she serves as principal of The Great Scott Lake Elementary School with over 400 children. During the summer months, Bridget devotes her vacation time to teaching. The program has reached over 4000 children. To date, there has not been one reported incident of near drowning or drowning among students who have been part of this life-saving exchange. Bridget hopes this program continues to serve as the nexus for parents and their children to always be safe in or around bodies of water.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start?
This program is offered at no cost, so finding funding sources is often challenging. 18 Staff members include lifeguards, swim instructors and CPR trainers, junior lifeguards, office assistants, and volunteers. The program has private donors and funding from the American Red Cross Centennial Campaign and The Children’s Trust to stay afloat.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
To maintain the team’s morale because there is constant turnover because many of the staff go off to college or move into careers. The program grooms students taught through the swimming pool program by training them to become lifeguards and swim instructors. This has been the best practice to sustain the program over the 13 years.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.p-swap.org
- Instagram: Mckinneybridget1
- Facebook: Bridget Washington -McKinney
- Linkedin: Dr. Bridget McKinney
- Twitter: Lisabridget1
- Youtube: Bridget McKinney
- Other: https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/video/miami-proud-fun-and-free-opa-locka-swim-program-aims-to-save-lives-1/ https://www.today.com/video/water-safety-tips-to-follow-while-enjoying-a-summer-swim-115828805766
Image Credits
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