Learn to Swim
Learn to Swim is a structured class offered in both Spanish and English and taught by certified swim instructors who teach Latinx youth how to swim.
A world where every child can dream
Swim lessons, after school, outdoor and wellness programs for kids and families in Denver and surrounding cities.
Many programs are taught in Spanish and English.
Over 60% of Latino & African American children do not know how to swim, increasing the drowning risk in our community.
5800 children & their families learned to swim. Every year ViVe teaches over 500 kids & their families how to swim through our After School & Learn to Swim programs.
Our programs
Programs for kids, teens, families and older adults.
Out of School Time Program
After school programs include swim training, martial arts, science projects and other various activities which focus on physical, emotional and social wellness of students.
Ways to join in
Mission
Foster social justice, health and gender equity through culturally relevant physical, mental and social wellness programs.
- Social justice
- Mental health
- Physical wellness
- Health equity
- Gender equity
Vision
We envision a world where gender, race, ethnicity, disability, education, income, origin and sexual orientation are no longer predictors of life and health outcomes.
Story
Founded in 2017, ViVe advances equity by addressing systemic barriers faced by low-income, racially, and ethnically diverse communities in Denver and surrounding cities. Primarily serving underserved Latino migrants and other marginalized communities, ViVe provides programs that foster health equity through culturally relevant wellness activities.
Through partnerships with local organizations and donations secured through grants and private funding, ViVe Wellness promotes physical and mental health, leadership, and social well-being to children and adults across Denver and surrounding cities.
Our impact
Fact
Minority children lack the access & opportunity of outdoor nature activities as well as physical wellness. These are essential to the mental health, cognitive development & the physical, social & emotional well-being of children.
Our impact
4900 children enrolled in After School and outdoor recreation programs. Movement, social emotional and wellness & Youth Workforce development.
Fact
30,000 newcomers arrived in Denver Colorado in 2023. Most of them from Venezuela without permit to work while they waited for their Immigration appointment.
Our impact
15,000 newcomers assisted. VIVE has supported through resources such as Food bags, Phones, Bus passes, Mental health resources, Children's school and has housed over 4500 people a total of 1000 leases.
In their words
Felix has been in the Karate program for 3 years and despite the fact that in his first year he hardly spoke, due to his shyness. Today, in addition to being the most constant and consistent in his karate classes, he serves as an example for any demonstration I ask him, and any question I ask. In fact, he is the one who has achieved the highest rank of the 80 karate students in the after school.
Khloé has benefited greatly from swimming in many ways. She has lost her fear of submerging in the water and floating. Khloé is a very shy girl and this program helped her to get along well with her coaches. She even practices Spanish a little more since that language has been more difficult for her in environments with other people outside of her family circle.
Shirley, 15 year old in 9th grade of High School. When Shirley came to our swimming classes at VIVE WELLNESS she arrived with very low self-esteem thinking that she was not capable of anything and feeling inferior.
When we started working I realized that she needed swimming instructor her age at VIVE WELLNESS. Shirley's mother tells us that before coming to the our Swimming Program she suffered a lot seeing her daughter with no desire for anything, no confidence in herself, thinking she would never learn to swim. But now with the help of her instructors Shirley showed a radical change. Swimming classes have helped her have confidence and believe in herself. Now she says that everything can be achieved with effort and discipline. Her mother is very proud of her.
Awards
Our Commitment to Excellence at Vive Wellness
Rose Community Foundation2024 Sheila Bugdanowitz Leadership Development Award, Yoli Casas
Read about the award
The Women's Foundation of ColoradoColorado Sheroes 2020
Read about the award