Our Mission
Indoor public pools are lifesaving infrastructure
"Our mission is to promote access and equity in swimming and indoor public pools, with a special focus on strengthening public indoor pool infrastructure to ensure year-round access."
Friends of Philly Aquatics advances water safety education, swim instruction, financial aid, and professional development opportunities in aquatics, particularly for historically marginalized populations experiencing disproportionate drowning risks and limited swimming proficiency.
We believe public pools are more than recreation. They are anchors of community life, sites of healing, workforce pipelines, and one of the clearest ways a city can prove that every neighborhood deserves safety, joy, and access.
Our Priorities
Year-Round Indoor Pool Access
Strengthening Philadelphia's indoor public pool infrastructure so neighborhoods are not limited to short summer seasons.
Water Safety Education
Teaching children, adults, and caregivers the skills to stay safe in and around water.
Swim Instruction
Building confidence and competence for people who have been locked out of lessons for generations.
Financial Aid
Removing cost as a barrier through free public access, scholarships, and paid training opportunities.
Aquatics Career Pathways
Helping young people and parents move from basic swim skills to lifeguard, instructor, and workforce credentials.
Equity and Community Care
Centering Black and Brown communities most affected by pool closures, drowning disparities, and disinvestment.