On National Healthy Kids Day, State Senator Kevin Parker, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, INC., and The Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA Host “SWIM 1922” Dry Clinic

BROOKLYN, NY – On Saturday, April 26, 2025, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., in partnership with New York State Senator Kevin Parker and the Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA, hosted a “Swim 1922” Dry Clinic as part of National Healthy Kids Day - a free, family-friendly event aimed at promoting life-saving water safety education and celebrating the YMCA's annual initiative focused on youth wellness. 

Held at the Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA, the event sought to raise awareness about drowning prevention, encourage safe swimming practices, and equip families with essential water safety knowledge as summer approaches. Activities included CPR basics, proper swim gear demonstrations, and vital safety tips for pools, beaches, and open water environments. 

The “Swim 1922” program, a signature initiative of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., addresses the racial disparities in swimming ability and drowning rates, particularly within communities of color. Statistics from USA Swimming show that 64% of African Americans lack requisite swimming skills, and Black youth are more likely to experience drowning, with rates nearly five times higher than their white peers. 

Hosting this clinic in partnership with the YMCA, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Senator Kevin Parker aims to provide communities of color with culturally relevant and accessible water safety education. The dry clinic offered a unique experience to help participants gain confidence and better prepare for safe swimming practices during the summer months. 

Senator Kevin Parker, who has been a consistent advocate for public health and youth development, expressed his continued support for the program: “Equipping our children and families with the tools they need to stay safe in and around water is not just a seasonal concern— it’s a year-round responsibility. I’m proud to partner once again with Sigma Gamma Rho and the YMCA to bring these life-saving resources to the heart of our community.” Senator Parker’s dedication to water safety is personal, as he learned to swim as an adult at the YMCA and understands firsthand the importance of aquatics education. This event is part of the YMCA’s National Healthy Kids Day, an annual initiative encouraging kids and families to stay active, healthy, and safe during summer.

About State Senator Kevin S. Parker

Senator Kevin S. Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse Brooklyn district comprising sections of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Kensington, Ditmas Park, Midwood, Flatlands, Canarsie, Georgetown, Old Mill Basin, Mill Basin, Marine Park, and Bergen Beach. A lifelong Brooklyn resident, he is the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee and sits on the Senate Finance; Rules; Banks; Internet and Technology; and Budget and Revenue.