Rose Bowl Aquatics Center to Get $50,000 Grant Check For Water Safety Program During Presentation Next Week

Southern California Gas’ Community Investment Fund has awarded a $50,000 grant to the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center in Pasadena to support the center’s Water Safety Program. The check will be presented on Monday, Sept. 18. 

Through the program, the RBAC provides swimming lessons and water safety education for every 3rd-grade student enrolled in the Pasadena Unified School District. Over 25,000 students have participated in this program since its inception.

At any given school year, the RBAC’s Water Safety Program engages over 1,000 third-grade students within PUSD. 

The RBAC said the grant will enable the RBAC to include over 200 fifth graders who have not been able to participate because of COVID-19. 

SoCalGas said it recognizes the importance of investing in initiatives that help protect the community’s health and well-being. 

“SoCalGas is committed to supporting local communities and driving positive change,” Andy Carrasco, Vice President of Communications, Local Government & Community Affairs at SoCalGas, said. “Through this grant, we can help support the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center’s important work in providing access to life-saving skills and water safety education.” 

Under the Water Safety Program, students receive 15 swim lessons, transportation to and from the RBAC, all necessary teaching equipment such as swimsuits, goggles, and towels, water safety workbooks, family swim passes, and an invitation to a celebration event

“We are grateful for SoCalGas’s support, which helps us continue providing water safety and learn to swim programming to the Pasadena and surrounding communities we serve,” Jimmy Francis, Rose Bowl Aquatics Center President and Executive Director, said. “Together, we can work towards ensuring that everyone in our community has access to water safety.”

The grant is part of SoCalGas’ ASPIRE 2045 commitment to supporting initiatives that benefit the communities it serves. The company has a long history of investing in programs that promote environmental sustainability, education, and community development in underserved communities.