(Above): The Broward YMCA Annual Meeting: Dr. Harvey Barnett, Jo Ann Barnett, President of Safe Start USA, April Vail, Executive Director of the Greater Hollywood, YMCA and Steve Cooney, Member, Broward County YMCA Board of Directors.
SAFE START Awarded Broward County YMCA Partner of the Year:
(Left): Dr. Harvey Barnett accepting the "Partner of the Year" from Sheryl Woods,
President and CEO of the Greater Broward County YMCA.
On December 6, 2007 Safe Start USA was awarded the prestigious "PARTNER OF THE YEAR AWARD" by the Greater Hollywood YMCA Family Center in Broward County, Florida. This was a critical step for our drowning prevention efforts in South Florida since Broward County leads the State of Florida in the number of children under 5 years of age. In fact, Broward County leads the United States in this tragedy. Safe Start began at the Central Florida YMCAs in Orlando Florida at one YMCA facility in January of 2001. Now there are 22 YMCA facilities that have the SAFE START program in Florida. Much of that expansion occurred when some administrative staff accepted promotions and positions at other YMCAs. They took their passion for drowning prevention and the SAFE START mission with them. Such was the case with The Greater Hollywood YMCA. The President and CEO, Sheryl Woods was formerly an executive in Central Florida and April Vail, the Executive Director at the Greater Hollywood YMCA was the first YMCA SAFE START Family Center Director.
The award citation was delivered by Dick Blattner, City Commissioner, Hollywood, Florida and a Broward County YMCA Board of Director. He told the hundreds in attendance, "Children learn a swim-float-swim sequence both in swimwear and in everyday clothes. These skills serve as a layer of defense, should a child escape adult supervision while near the water. One child has actually used the skills to protect himself from the dangers of the waters. It is our pleasure to recognize Safe Start and Harvey Barnett as our Partner of the Year".
This award was accepted by Dr. Harvey Barnett, Founder of SAFE START on behalf of Jo Ann Barnett, President of Safe Start USA.
Having the Broward County YMCA, under the strong leadership of Sheryl Woods, SAFE START will undoubtedly have a major and positive impact on the tragic drowning problem for the families of Broward County and South Florida.
