Teaching children about water safety is important, but not all children have access to public pools or lessons to make that happen. The Josh Project is committed to changing that by helping children in the Toledo community learn to swim.
“The Josh Project is a drowning prevention and swim safety program which offers low cost swimming lessons and water safety education to youth ages 5 to 17 years of age,” said Lawrence Butts, executive director. “We aim to prevent drowning and other water-related injuries.”
Butts and his family know the tragic outcomes of childhood drownings personally.
“The Josh Project was founded in March of 2007 by my aunt, Wanda J. Butts, due to the drowning death of her 16 year old son, Joshua, on August 6, 2006. He never had swimming lessons, nor did he know anything about water safety. The goal is to ensure that kids in every school and church in our community know how to swim,” Butts said.
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Low-cost lessons
The project has partnered with Greater Toledo Aquatics Club and St. Francis de Sales High School to offer low-cost water safety programs throughout the year. The sessions, which cost $45, consist of six thirty minute lessons. A limited number of scholarships are also available. While participants are learning to swim, their parents are also participating in water-safety lessons.
“The parents also benefit from our sessions. While their children are learning how to swim, they are learning valuable life-saving skills like CPR. Not only are our youth learning how to swim, but we are also helping them to develop self-confidence and resilience, while providing a space to build healthy relationships,” Butts said.
A life of service
Butts has a long history of public service in the community. After graduating from Libbey High School, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving in Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, Darmstadt, Germany, Belgium, and Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He also served in Afghanistan, and worked for a decade as a government contractor in the Middle East.
Today, Butts is an active volunteer, working with the Cherry Street Mission Ministries, Winterfield Venture Academy and the Canaan Manifested Word Church. He also serves as a behavior coach for New Leaf Group’s after school and summer basketball programs at the Wayman Palmer YMCA.
“I am a proud father of three children aged 22, 19 and 11. I bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion for service to the Josh Project, where I will continue to make a positive impact on the community,” he said.
Butts continues to be a role model for so many of the youth that he serves.
“In addition to my professional and volunteer work, I am dedicated to personal growth. I hold an Associates degree in sociology, and I am on track to complete my Bachelor’s degree in spring of 2025.”
Community support
The Josh Project has received support from many local businesses and community groups, who have helped fund scholarships for students.
“We are extremely grateful for our funders, collaborators and supporters like Groth and Associates, the City of Toledo, Toledo Fire and Rescue Department the Toledo Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Canaan Manifested Word Church, CC419 Initiative, Safe Kids of Greater Toledo and The New Leaf Group.”
“Our ultimate goal is to have affordable, year-round swim lessons,” he said.
For more information, visit The Josh Project on Facebook.
