The Josh Project

06/01/2026

🌟 Swimmer Spotlight: Daymien

Three sessions ago, Daymien came to The Josh Project with little to no swimming experience. Like many children, he was starting from the very beginning, learning water comfort, safety, and the basic fundamentals of swimming.

Today, Daymien is swimming the full length of the pool, jumping from the diving board, building endurance, and continuing to improve his technique each and every week.

His growth is a powerful reminder that learning to swim is a journey. With consistency, courage, and the right instruction, confidence begins to replace fear and skills begin to save lives.

A special thank you to Coach Brent Ransom of the Greater Toledo Aquatic Club (GTAC) for his patience, encouragement, technical instruction, and unwavering commitment to helping our swimmers reach their full potential. These photos capture what coaching is all about, teaching, mentoring, correcting technique, building confidence, and celebrating progress.

We are also grateful for our continued partnership with St. Francis de Sales School for providing access to their outstanding natatorium and supporting our mission of drowning prevention and water safety education.

We would also like to thank Step Into Swim for their continued investment in learn-to-swim programs and for helping provide opportunities for children like Daymien to develop life-saving swimming skills.

Daymien, we are incredibly proud of you. Your hard work, dedication, and willingness to trust the process are paying off. Keep pushing forward and keep making waves!

💙🏊‍♂️

06/01/2026

🚨 REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR WATER SAFETY WEDNESDAY! 💦

The Josh Project is excited to announce that registration is now open for our FREE Water Safety Wednesday program at Roosevelt Pool, presented in partnership with the City of Toledo Department of Parks and Recreation.

Water Safety Wednesday is designed to help children build confidence around water while learning critical drowning prevention and water safety skills in a fun, engaging, and supervised environment.

📍 Roosevelt Pool
910 Dorr Street
Toledo, OH 43607

📅 Program Dates
• Wednesday, June 10, 2026
• Wednesday, June 17, 2026
• Wednesday, June 24, 2026
• Wednesday, July 1, 2026

🕐 Program Hours
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Participants will learn:
✅ Basic water safety skills
✅ How to recognize water hazards
✅ Safe pool behaviors
✅ The importance of life jackets
✅ Emergency preparedness and water awareness
✅ Drowning prevention strategies

This is a water safety education program and is not a formal swim lesson program. Activities will be conducted both in and around the water and are designed to help children become safer and more confident around aquatic environments.

⚠️ Important Registration Information:
• Registration is required.
• Space is limited to 40 participants.
• Each child must be registered individually.
• A parent or guardian must complete the registration form and waiver.
• Participants will be assigned a specific 30-minute time slot.
• Assigned time slots will be provided in the confirmation email after registration.
• Participation is free of charge.

🔗 Register here:
https://forms.gle/sXWd5TaWzx45fbV66

We encourage families to register early as spaces are expected to fill quickly.

Special thanks to the City of Toledo Department of Parks and Recreation for partnering with The Josh Project to help educate and empower the next generation of safer swimmers.

Water Safety Wednesday is a FREE water safety education program presented by The Josh Project in partnership with the City of Toledo Department of Parks and Recreation. Participants will learn essential water safety skills, drowning prevention strategies, safe behaviors around pools and open water,....

06/01/2026

🚨 REMINDER 🚨

Registration for Water Safety Wednesday opens today at 9:00 AM!

⚠️ Please note: Water Safety Wednesday is NOT swim lessons. This FREE program focuses on water safety education, drowning prevention, and building confidence around water.

📍 Roosevelt Pool
📅 June 10, 17, 24 & July 1
🕐 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Space is limited to 40 participants. Each child must be registered individually and will receive a 30-minute time slot in their confirmation email.

Watch our page at 9:00 AM for the registration link! 💦

06/01/2026

💙💦 NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MONTH 2026 RECAP 💦💙

As Water Safety Month comes to a close, we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to educate, engage, and empower children and families throughout our community.

Throughout the month of May, The Josh Project participated in and hosted numerous events focused on drowning prevention, swim education, and water safety awareness, reaching hundreds of children and families across Northwest Ohio.

Highlights included:

✅ Safe Kids Day

✅ Splash Into Safety Day at St. Francis de Sales School

✅ Water safety presentations at Bennett Venture Academy and Leverette Elementary

✅ Community outreach at Superior Made RV Resort

✅ Television and media appearances promoting water safety awareness

✅ Partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for Kayak Day and the launch of a new life jacket loaner station

✅ Continued swim instruction and water safety education through The Josh Project and our community partners

Throughout the month, children and families learned about life jacket safety, the importance of swim lessons, active supervision, boating safety, emergency preparedness, and the critical role water competency plays in preventing drowning.

We are thankful for our incredible partners, including Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Toledo Fire & Rescue Department, Oregon Fire & Rescue Department, Jerusalem Township Fire Department, Safe Kids Greater Toledo, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, City of Toledo Parks & Recreation, St. Francis de Sales School, SafeSplash Swim School, Greater Toledo Aquatic Club, local schools, community organizations, volunteers, and supporters who helped make this month a success.

Most importantly, we thank the families who continue to trust us with their children and support our mission.

Water Safety Month may be over, but drowning prevention is a year-round effort. Together, we will continue working to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn how to swim and stay safe around water.

💙 Saving lives, one swimmer at a time.

🛟🏊‍♀️💙

06/01/2026

It only takes seconds. Most drownings happen when no one planned to swim.

Tips & Tricks for Caregivers 🛟
• Designate a Water Watcher—even when no one is swimming.
• Keep gates locked and doors alarmed at all times.
• Empty kiddie pools immediately after use.
• Stay within arm’s reach of young children near water.
• Avoid distractions (phones, chores, conversations).
• Teach kids water safety early, but never rely on skills alone.
• Learn CPR—it saves lives during those critical minutes.

06/01/2026

🛶🌊 We are honored to have our Kayaking & Water Safety Celebration featured by 13ABC!

Thank you to Brianna Weaver TV and 13abc for helping share the important message of water safety and drowning prevention throughout Northwest Ohio.

This event was the result of an incredible partnership between The Josh Project and Ohio Department of Natural Resources, bringing together families, first responders, and community partners to promote life jacket use, boating safety, and safe recreation around open water.

We are especially proud of TJP swimmer Zola Jones, who did an outstanding job during her interview and represented our program so well.

A special thank you to Lt. Sarah Genzman, Ohio State Parks & Watercraft, Toledo Fire & Rescue, Oregon Fire & Rescue, Jerusalem Township Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Safe Kids Greater Toledo, Dem Ryders, Vito’s Pizza, our volunteers, and all of the families who came out to support this event.

As we close out National Water Safety Month, we remain committed to our mission of drowning prevention, swim education, and water safety awareness throughout our community.

📺 Check out the story below and help us spread the message of water safety!

Toledo nonprofit teaches kids water safety through kayaking >> https://www.13abc.com/2026/05/31/toledo-nonprofit-teaches-kids-water-safety-through-kayaking/

05/31/2026

🛶🌊 WHAT AN INCREDIBLE WAY TO CLOSE OUT NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MONTH! 💙

Yesterday, The Josh Project partnered with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources(ODNR) for our Kayaking & Water Safety Celebration at Maumee Bay State Park, and what a tremendous success it was!

With beautiful weather, strong participation from TJP families, and great support from the community, families had the opportunity to experience kayaking, learn life jacket safety, connect with first responders, and enjoy a day centered around water safety and drowning prevention.

As our final event of National Water Safety Month, it was the perfect reminder that water safety education saves lives and that drowning prevention is a responsibility we all share.

A special thank you to Lt. Sarah Genzman and the entire ODNR team for their outstanding leadership and planning. Sarah did a phenomenal job coordinating this event and creating an unforgettable experience for our families.

We were honored to welcome:

🚒 Toledo Fire & Rescue Department
🚒 Oregon Ohio Fire and Rescue Department
🚒 Jerusalem Township Fire-Rescue
⚓ U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary- Toledo Flotilla 16-13
🦺 Safe Kids Greater Toledo
🌲 Ohio State Parks & Watercraft

Children had the opportunity to meet first responders, explore emergency vehicles, learn important water safety skills, and experience kayaking in a safe and supervised environment.

A special thank you to Brianna Weaver TV and 13abc for coming out to cover the event and helping us share the important message of water safety and drowning prevention throughout Northwest Ohio. We are especially proud of TJP swimmer Zola, who did an outstanding job representing our program and sharing her experience during the interview.

A huge thank you to Aaron Green Sr. and Dem Ryders for showing up deep and volunteering throughout the day. Your support, presence, and willingness to serve our families helped make this event a success. We also appreciate the group bringing their Slingshots, which were a big hit with the kids and families and added to the excitement of the day.

Special recognition goes to Laticia Holmes and Alyssa Sepulveda for holding down the registration table and helping ensure everything ran smoothly from start to finish.

Thank you to Vito's Pizza and Subs - Oregon for delivering lunch and helping keep our families, volunteers, first responders, and partners fed throughout the day.

We are grateful for the many community organizations, volunteers, and supporters who came together to make this event possible. It truly takes a village to keep our children safe around water.

From Splash Into Safety Day, Water Safety Wednesday, school presentations, community outreach events, swim lessons, and now our Kayaking & Water Safety Celebration, May has been an incredible month of impact for The Josh Project.

Most importantly, thank you to every family who came out and participated. Together, we are building a safer community and creating more confident young swimmers.

Together, we are truly Saving lives, one swimmer at a time. 💙

05/30/2026

05/30/2026

Fun, fun, and more fun!

05/30/2026

The fun has started…….Come on out to Maumee Bay State Park for some kayaking