In a move to honor the memories of two teenagers who died in the waters off Riis Beach, Mayor Eric Adams has announced an expansion of the city’s youth swimming program. The newly named Elyjha Chandler and Christian Perkins Swim for Life classes are part of a $5.5 million initiative focused on enhancing water safety and preventing future drowning incidents.
The investment aims to teach some 18,000 second graders across the city how to swim each year - for free. This number is a notable increase from previous capacities, and the lessons do more than just save the students' parents $1.3 million; they save lives. Adams, embracing the dire importance of the program, stated in the press release, "This is a city that's surrounded by water. And you can say as much as you want to tell us not to go to the beach." He added, "Children will be children, and we want them to explore."
The initiative has received attention from the community, including the families of the two boys. In a statement, Kibret Perkins addressed his loss, told the Mayor's office, "Identifying your child is an experience I wish for no mother to have." Through the program, Deputy Mayor Jeff Roth emphasized the city's commitment to swim safety, focusing not only on infrastructure but also on building confidence and skills in the water.
The mothers of Elyjha and Christian, Aminata Noah and Ms. Perkins, have become advocates for water safety as they cope with their loss. Working with the city, they aim to honor their sons' legacy while promoting the safety of other families’ children. According to statements from Noah to the Mayor's office, she finds solace in knowing "their names will be associated with water safety and protecting other families from experiencing the kind of loss."
Commissioner Sue Donoghue of the Department of Parks and Recreation highlighted the critical and continuous need for swim education in a city with extensive shorelines and rising temperatures. She emphasized that the department’s mission extends beyond recreation to focus on saving lives. With this expansion, swim lessons will be available to a wider range of people, including adults, offering more opportunities to acquire essential water safety skills in a city defined by its waterways.
