In 2017 the South Chicago YMCA announced the closing of its doors. Claretian Associates and Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) created a partnership to purchase the building and redevelop community space (to be called the Salud Center).
While a majority of the community center space will be reopened, there are not enough funds to open the pool.
Our capital aim for campaign is for the reopening of the community pool.
Generations of South Chicagoans and residents from the Southeast Side have learned how to swim at the community pool. The pool has served the community in numerous ways, starting with water aerobics classes for senior citizens, and swimming lessons for children and adults.
The reopening of the pool is vital to the community. South Chicago is a minority community made up of African Americans and Latinos. In the minority community, it is not common for children to learn how to swim. It has been reported that 70% of African American children and 58% of Hispanic children had low to no swimming ability. The reopening of the pool would not only provide exercise to the community but also offer a life skill for generations to come.
The pool would serve the residents, but also students from James H. Bowen High School and local Bessemer Park. The principal at Bowen High School expressed that their pool is also in disrepair and would love to partner in order to have a local swim team. Bessemer Park has an outdoor swimming pool, which closes at the end of the summer. The park has to refer their clients to other park districts during the fall and winter seasons. The reopening of the pool would bring back an asset that is vitally needed for the health of the community
Please donate to Claretian Associates to help South Chicago Swim!
