Tuesday nights are about to get a lot more inclusive in Portage la Prairie, thanks to a brand-new swim program designed especially for children with special needs and their families.
SwimPossible, the brainchild of local parent and advocate Tara-Marie Hall, is diving into its first season tonight, bringing together children, families, and volunteers in a fun, supportive environment where every swimmer is celebrated for who they are.
"It's a program where special needs children have a fun and safe environment to either swim with their families or with a volunteer," Hall explains. "Some of the kids will be just getting used to the water, while some are more experienced and love playing on the slide and with their friends."
The program goes beyond physical activity. It’s also about creating connections for children and their parents.
"Sometimes, special needs families get judged a lot, and in this environment, everybody is in the same boat as you are," she says. "It gives these kids a chance to make friends. It's also beneficial for adults because you're out and about, with parents who understand. They want to talk, listen, and help. Everybody is supportive."
The inspiration for SwimPossible came from Hall’s own experience with her son, Austin, who is autistic. After participating in a previous swim program, Hall saw the need for something more personal and community-focused.
“This is more than just a swim program to me,” she continues. “I put my heart into it because I know how much the special needs community helped our family. It got me out of the house and gave me the chance to interact with other parents who understood what I was going through, and helped my son make friends. I wanted other families to have that same kind of safe and fun environment."
The program will run weekly on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. until August 26th. July sessions will be held at Splash Island, with August moving to Stride Place, giving families a variety of pool settings to enjoy. Interest in the program has already exceeded expectations.
"I was pleasantly surprised by how well this has been received. We've had a lot more registrations than I thought, and it has been nice to see," she adds.
Volunteers will play a big role in the program. Hall says they’re looking for helpers aged 16 and up with swimming experience, as well as 'junior volunteers', which are younger kids who are already comfortable in the water and want to lend a hand. Some volunteers swim alongside the children, while others may help with lifting or provide support from the pool deck.
Registration costs $30 per child, with no additional fee for family members assisting in the water. The program is proudly sponsored by Styled with Meraki, and Hall hopes that additional sponsorships will help lower the cost for families even further.
"I know first-hand that there are usually extra costs with special needs children, and everything is so expensive these days. I want to help out as much as I can to bring that price down," she says. "Other sponsors would help cover the fee for renting the pool. We also want to make the final day a celebration where the kids receive a certificate for what they've accomplished. We're hoping to have a pizza party and little goodie bags for all the kids to take home."
If this season goes well, Hall hopes the program could expand to other communities.
“We’ve had families register from Winnipeg, Brandon, and Gladstone, and many families also couldn't register because of the distance. I've been asked at least 25 times if we could expand to other areas," she explains. "If things go well, maybe we can start similar programs in other communities too. I'd love to make that happen for other families out there."
With its heartwarming mission and growing support, SwimPossible is already making waves, offering more than swim time, but a sense of community and belonging.
“Thank you to my friend Terri Clark, who has been helping me, and to all our amazing volunteers. Also, to the community for taking a chance on me with this,” Hall says. “I’m excited to get started, and I hope the kids and families enjoy it.
SwimPossible kicks off tonight at 5:30 p.m. To register, volunteer, or become a sponsor, contact Tara-Marie Hall at (204) 595-8007 or email tmhillman@hotmail.com.
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