Press Releases: Southern California
June 19, 2009
City of Los Angeles Kicks Off Kaiser Permanente’s $1.7 Million Operation Splash
Fun and Free Summer Program to Benefit 6,600 Youth at 48 City Pools
PASADENA, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente and the City of Los Angeles kicked-off “Operation Splash,” a healthy lifestyles partnership that provides learn-to-swim scholarships and junior lifeguard programs to over 6,600 youth, age 7 – 17, and their parents, at 48 pools in lower-income communities citywide.
By the end of this fourth year, Kaiser Permanente will have donated a cumulative $1.7 million in community benefit funds to the City, providing 31,000 swim scholarships to kids and their parents; 1,300 junior lifeguard scholarships; one-week and two-week September extensions for four summers at selected pools; and a new water slide at both the Jackie Tatum/Harvard Pool and also at the Northridge Recreation Center.
Operation Splash has also expanded to six other locations throughout Southern California, and by the end of the year, the cumulative funding will have grown to $2.1 million.
“The opening of the Jackie Tatum/Harvard Pool and Water Slide in South Los Angeles kicks off the summer pool season with a splash,” said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “Through the City’s partnership with Kaiser Permanente, there will be a multitude of pools open this summer across Los Angeles that will create a safe oasis for children and encourage families to be active together.”
The president of Kaiser Permanente’s Southern California region, Benjamin Chu, MD, MPH, MACP, said, “Kids and adults today need to exercise more. Operation Splash pulls more young people into a healthy activity in a fun way. By getting into the water regularly, they will improve their total health, something Kaiser Permanente wants for everyone.”
Operation Splash also aims to decrease the frequency of drowning, one of the leading causes of accidental death among young people, especially for African American and Latino kids, who historically have low aquatics participation rates. For example, nearly 60 percent of African American and Latino youth cannot swim, according to USA Swimming, the sport’s governing body. Operation Splash’s junior lifeguard program is the first step towards training for the possibility of future jobs as lifeguards at beaches and pools.
The kick-off at the Jackie Tatum/Harvard Pool was especially significant to many City staff and the surrounding community. “I am pleased that the Jackie Tatum/Harvard Pool is the site for the Operation Splash kick-off,” said City Councilman Bernard C. Parks, whose district includes the new pool. “Ms. Tatum, who worked for the City of Los Angeles for over 40 years, would be elated that her legacy is being carried out in such a dramatic fashion. She would be proud that this modernized facility will provide new and improved services for our youth.” Jackie Tatum was the first female and African American general manager of the City Department of Recreation and Parks.
Mr. Jon Kirk Mukri, the current general manager, said, “She was a great lady. We are still saddened that Jackie passed away this year. I’m sure that if she were here today, she would be delighted that young people are benefiting from this swimming partnership and wonderful outlet.” The grand opening is also special since the neighborhood has not had an operating pool for nine years.
The swim program opens on Saturday, June 20th, the day before the start of summer and runs through Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 7), with an additional eight days extended run to mid-September at seven of the city pools. To learn more about Operation Splash and eligibility requirements, individuals can visit the City Recreation and Parks Department website or call the Aquatics Office at 323-906-7953. Registration is on-site at participating pool locations.
Individuals interested in participating in any of the following six areas can contact their department of parks and recreation.
- City of Fontana
- City of Riverside
- City of Chula Vista
- City of Ventura
- The Desert Recreation District (formerly Coachella Valley Recreation and Park District)
- North of the River Recreation and Park District (in Kern County)
About the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks, Aquatics Division
The Aquatics Division operates the Department’s 59 year-round and seasonal swimming pools, including five pools located at Department camping sites. The Division also operates 10 lakes and Cabrillo Beach. Year-round pools offer afternoon and evening sessions and operate throughout the year. Seasonal pools are open from the end of June through Labor Day. In addition to recreational swimming, the Division focuses on water safety for beginners to adults, group and private swimming lessons, and parent/child classes.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is one of the nation’s leading integrated health plans. Founded in 1945, it is a nonprofit, group practice prepayment program with Southern California headquarters in Pasadena, California. Kaiser Permanente serves the health care needs of 3.3 million members in Southern California. Today, it encompasses the nonprofit Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries, and the for-profit Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Kaiser Permanente’s Southern California Region includes more than 55,800 technical, administrative and clerical employees and caregivers, and more than 6,400 physicians representing all specialties. More information about Kaiser Permanente can be found at kp.org.
