named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Ocean Park Swim Program
Free swimming lessons and water safety education for residents of Ocean Park Apartments in Far Rockaway, Queens, a public housing community. Program launched after Hurricane Sandy damaged the pool and aims to increase water competence among all age groups.
PS9 Sarah Smith Garnet School Program
In-school water safety and swimming program integrated into the third-grade physical education curriculum at a Brooklyn Title I public school, in partnership with Chelsea Piers Foundation.
Swim Corps
Paid summer employment program for youth aged 16–24 that combines swimming lessons, water safety training, CPR/AED certification, mindfulness practices, and career exploration in the blue economy. Operates as part of NYC’s SYEP and includes 150 hours of training over six weeks.
The Rockaway Hotel Swim Program
Swimming and water safety initiative at Rockaway Beach targeting youth in a high-risk rip current zone. Provides lessons in the hotel pool to combat local drowning trends, especially among teens.
Water Wise™
Public safety education campaign focused on rip current awareness and drowning prevention. Delivers resources, workshops, and outreach in NYC schools, beaches, and community centers, reaching over 4 million people since 2025.
activities · 2 groups
What they do
-
Competitive and Learn-to-Swim Programs 2 activities
- Deliver swim lessons and water safety education to underserved youth and communitiesProvides free swimming lessons and water safety education to underserved communities, including youth in public housing (e.g., Ocean Park Apartments, NYCHA), students at PS9 The Sarah Smith Garnet School, and participants at St. John's Residence for Boys. Programs include in-school integration, seasonal summer programming, and site-specific instruction at locations such as The Rockaway Hotel and Ocean Park in Far Rockaway, Queens. Evidence indicates over 430 youth served at The Rockaway Hotel, 148 individuals completing lessons through targeted programs, and continuous programming since 2023 with plans through 2026.
- Operate youth development and career readiness program in water safetyOffers a paid, hands-on learning program for youth focused on water safety, personal development, and career pathways in the blue economy. The annual summer program (July–August) includes 150 hours of training combining classroom instruction, pool sessions, and off-site excursions. Participants receive CPR/AED and First Aid certifications and free daily lunch to support engagement, culminating in a graduation ceremony.
-
-
Marine and Coastal Education Programs 1 activity
- Conduct public water safety education campaignsRuns the Water Wise™ public safety education campaign and other outreach initiatives to raise awareness about water safety and rip current risks. Activities include distributing printable guides, sharing personal testimonial videos (e.g., Ms. Noah’s story), conducting workshops (reaching over 600 participants), providing rip current safety education across NYC’s 520 miles of coastline, and engaging over 4 million people since 2025 through media and community events such as the Jamaica Bay Festival.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$540K
Contributions & grants$540K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$547K
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$288K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$144K
Cash$101K
Investments$0
Liabilities$219K
Net assets$-75K
Liquid reserves2.2 mo
3 years on record · 2022–2024 · YoY revenue +68.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAITLIN KRAUSE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $114K |
board members · 7
- CAMESHA GRANT — BOARD MEMBER
- GEORGIA HARRELL — BOARD MEMBER
- JOELLE BYRER — BOARD MEMBER
- JP RORECH — CHAIRPERSON
- LUCY RORECH — BOARD MEMBER
- MELISSA GRIFFITHS — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHI JIGARJIAN — VICE CHAIRPERSON
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- +POOL Partner — Collaborates with +POOL to provide swim classes and promote water safety in local communities.
- 7G Group Partner — Partner organization supporting the St. John's swim lesson program.
- Chelsea Piers Foundation Partner — Collaborates on the pilot program to deliver water safety and swimming instruction at PS9 The Sarah Smith Garnet School.
- Chelsea Piers Foundation Partner — Collaborating organization in the delivery of water safety education and swimming lessons at PS9.
- Jamaica Bay Festival Partner — Participated in the festival to provide water safety education
- Ms. Noah Partner — Collaborates with Ms. Noah, a mother who lost her son to a rip current, to share her story for public education on rip current dangers.
- NYC Department of Youth and Community Development Partner — Collaborates on the NYCHA Swim Safety Corps Summer Youth Employment Program pilot.
- NYC Parks Department Partner — Collaborates by promoting NYC Parks Department's free swim lessons as part of broader safe swimming initiatives.
- PS9 The Sarah Smith Garnet School Partner — Hosts integrated water safety and swimming lessons for third-grade students during the school day.
- PS9 The Sarah Smith Garnet School Partner — Pilot program partner for integrating water safety education into third-grade curriculum.
- Public Housing Community Fund Partner — Collaborates on the NYCHA Swim Safety Corps Summer Youth Employment Program pilot.
- Public Housing Community Fund Partner — Partner organization that supports the Swim Corps program
- Rockaway Hotel Partner — Provides location and support for the St. John's swim lesson program.
- Speedo USA Partner — Provides high-quality swimming equipment to support Rising Tide Effect's water safety and swimming instruction programs.
- Swim Strong Foundation Partner — Partners with Swim Strong Foundation to expand access to swim education in New York City communities.
- TRH Partner — Collaborated to initiate a swimming program providing water safety training in the Rockaway Beach community.
- The Rockaway Hotel Partner — Collaborates to provide water safety training and swimming lessons to the Rockaway Beach community.
- Tredway Partner — Property owner partner that collaborates with Rising Tide Effect to deliver aquatic programming at Ocean Park Apartments.
- Tredway Property Management Partner — Partners to provide free swimming lessons and water safety education at Ocean Park Apartments in Far Rockaway.
- USA Swimming Foundation Partner — Cites study by USA Swimming Foundation on drowning risk among low-income children.
- YMCA Partner — Refers community members to YMCA swim classes as part of its safe swimming resource network.
- instructors Partner — Collaborates with local instructors to deliver beginner-friendly swim programs.
- local pools Partner — Partners with local pools to deliver swim programs.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Combined Skill and Career Development Through Earn-While-You-Learn Model 21 orgsmethodology: earn-while-you-learnBy combining paid employment with swimming and life-safety training, we build both physical safety and career readiness among youth in public housing because financial incentives increase engagement and connect skill-building to long-term economic opportunity.shared approach: Progressive Skill Building →
- Localized, Environmentally-Tailored Water Safety Curriculum 21 orgsmethodology: localized-safety-educationBy tailoring water safety education to local geographic risks—such as rip currents—we improve community preparedness because instruction addresses the most common and immediate causes of drowning in a given area.shared approach: Progressive Skill Building →
- School-Day Integration for Equitable Access to Aquatic Education 21 orgsmethodology: school-integrated aquatic educationBy integrating swimming and water safety instruction into the formal school day, we ensure universal access for underserved students because it removes logistical and financial barriers that would otherwise prevent participation.shared approach: Progressive Skill Building →
- Water Safety Education and Swim Instruction as Preventive Intervention 21 orgsmethodology: water-safety-educationBy providing water safety education and swim instruction, we reduce drowning incidents in underserved communities because knowledge of survival techniques and access to swimming skills directly increase individual safety and preparedness in aquatic environments.shared approach: Progressive Skill Building →
- Peer-Led Skill Transfer to Amplify Community Impactmethodology: peer-led-skill-transferBy training participants to become instructors themselves, we create a ripple effect that expands water safety knowledge across communities because peer-to-peer teaching increases trust, accessibility, and cultural relevance of the instruction.