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Swim school offers scholarships to reduce drowning disparities
Foss Swim School is teaming up with Winnebago Industries and Outdoor Afro to make swim lessons more accessible to Black families.
RICHFIELD, Minnesota — Minnesota may be the land of 10,000 lakes, but not every resident gets to enjoy those lakes.
“The purpose of Foss is to build confidence and provide a lifetime of safety around water,” said Jenia Strom, a community engagement specialist with Foss Swim School.
CDC statistics show that disparities for drowning deaths are highest among Black children. Receiving swim lessons from a qualified instructor can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children ages 1-4, Children’s Minnesota reports.
However, some families do not have the means to pay for professional swim lessons. So Foss Swim School got involved in a collaboration that seeks to help out families.
“Outdoor Afro [and] their Making Waves program aims to be able to help every Black child and their caregivers be able to swim,” said Allison Viets, a Corporate Responsible Lead with Winnebago Industries. “Winnebago Industries is really proud to be able to sponsor and help with this program.”
Outdoor Afro is a non-profit dedicated to reconnecting the Black community to nature. With the help of Winnebago, they’re offering scholarships at Foss Swim Schools for free or reduced-cost lessons for families in need.
“When we look at what makes a healthy life, a good life, we need to be providing safety for as many people as possible,” Strom said.
It’s not just the children who are benefiting from scholarships. Foss Swim School reported that parents are jumping into the program to feel confident in their swimming skills.
“Adults who are learning how to swim as well and being a role model for their kids, it’s been an amazing opportunity getting to connect with those folks,” Strom said.
Scholarships will be available for this summer quarter. You can apply starting May 23.
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Police are investigating after three men were shot early on Saturday morning.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police are investigating after three men were shot in the Ventura Village neighborhood early Saturday morning.
According to Minneapolis police, officers were called to the area around East 21st Street and South 15th Avenue around 5 a.m. Saturday.
Officers found three men had been shot. One of the men died and the two others were taken to the hospital with what police described as life-threatening injuries.
Officials said the shooting happened at a small homeless encampment.
Police have not announced any arrests as of Saturday morning.
KARE 11 will update this story as more information is made available.
This Halloween the chocolate shop is getting very festive.
MARINE ON SAINT CROIX, Minn. — A small sweet shop in a Minnesota river town has won some BIG awards for its chocolates.
St. Croix Chocolate Company in Marine on St. Croix has won national and international awards including Best of Show in this year’s America’s Division of the International Chocolate Awards.
Their chocolates are available at the St. Croix Chocolate Company kitchen or online.
This Halloween they are selling a Halloween Countdown Calendar that features 14 prize-winning recipes made into ghosts, bats, skulls and other spooky configurations. They also have a Boo Bag-handled tote that comes with their “best of” Halloween assortment.
Owner and Chocolatier, Robyn Dochterman, joined KARE 11 Saturday to share what St. Croix Chocolate Company has to offer.
MINNEAPOLIS — Making pasta at home is relatively simple, as long as you have the right tools.
October is National Pasta Month and Red Rabbit‘s Corporate Chef, Adam Lerner, joined KARE 11 Saturday to show us how to make homemade noodles in the confines of your own kitchen.
