Serving children from the New Haven, CT community on the campus of The Foote School

Blog

Kiefer Aquatics Partners with Horizons at Foote To Support Swimming Education And Equity

Courtesy: Kiefer Aquatics

Bloomington IL – Kiefer Aquatics, a leader in the aquatics industry, is proud to announce its partnership with Horizons at Foote, an affiliate of Horizons National, to support their mission of providing swim training, athletics and academic support to New Haven CT public school students during the summer. This partnership underscores Kiefer Aquatics’ commitment to swimming safety, education, and equity.

Horizons at Foote, based in New Haven, CT, serves 170 students each summer, with swimming training being a core component of their program. The organization is dedicated to offering students from under-resourced communities the opportunity to develop their swimming skills, which is crucial for safety and opens doors to athletic pursuits. The Foote School, home to Horizons at Foote, has a long-standing connection with the Kiefer family, making this partnership especially meaningful.

In an exciting development, Horizons at Foote is hosting a panel conversation featuring Olympic gold-medalist Cullen Jones alongside Olympians Janelle Atkinson and Adriana Marmolejo. The discussion will focus on the importance of swimming education and the pursuit of equity in aquatic sports. This event reaffirms the legacy of Adolph Kiefer, the founder of Kiefer Aquatics, who was not only a champion swimmer but also a passionate advocate for swimming safety and accessibility. Adolph Kiefer’s contributions to the sport, including his efforts alongside Jesse Owens to promote the development of community pools in inner-city Chicago, continue to inspire today’s initiatives.

Kiefer Aquatics will be supporting Horizons at Foote by placing a sponsorship ad in the program for the upcoming panel discussion and by sponsoring the event. This collaboration honors the memory of Adolph Kiefer, who frequently spoke at the school about the importance of swimming safety and the need for equity in learning to swim.

“We are thrilled to partner with Horizons at Foote in their admirable work to teach and inspire young swimmers,” said Amy Johnson VP of Sales at Kiefer Aquatics. “Supporting initiatives that promote swimming education and equity is at the heart of our mission. We are proud to contribute to this cause and to honor Adolph Kiefer’s enduring legacy.”

“Swimming isn’t just about technique – it’s about instilling confidence and resilience,” said Rashana Graham, Horizons at Foote Executive Director. “Learning to swim is a life-saving skill, empowering our students to navigate water safely and confidently, discover their strength, and realize that anything is possible with perseverance and support.”

For more information about the event and how to support Horizons at Foote, please visit horizonsatfoote.cbo.io.

About Kiefer Aquatics

Kiefer Aquatics is dedicated to enhancing the aquatic journey for everyone – serving competitive swimmers, lifeguards, aquatic facilities, water fitness and learn to swim programs. Kiefer has pioneered innovations and custom product services over our 75-year history including the first nylon material swimsuit, the kickboard, the lifeguard rescue can, starting blocks, lane lines, pace clocks, soft-gasket goggles, and learn to swim products.

Kiefer was founded in 1947 by Adolph Kiefer – US Olympic Gold Medalist, WWII Navy Instructor, and aquatics industry Pioneer.  Kiefer’s legacy of service, selection and value continues to propel us today.

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.KIEFER.COM

Laura Altshul Joy of Learning Fund

 

 

Dear friends,

Laura once said that the true heart of education is “fostering a lifelong love of learning, inquiry and questioning, logical thinking and imagination.” 

We embrace her words and spirit in our work every day, and so it is with affection that we announce the Laura Altshul Joy of Learning Fund. Over the past weeks, many of Laura’s friends, family, neighbors, students, colleagues and allies have chosen to honor her legacy by supporting Horizons at Foote. These gifts, and those given in her honor before, establish this multi-year restricted fund.

Laura saw potential in every child, and joy in every classroom. She was strong, and fought for what she believed in. The Laura Altshul Joy of Learning Fund celebrates her legacy by providing our Horizons students with equitable learning opportunities, while ensuring the Horizons community Laura so lovingly nurtured continues to grow and thrive.

Our students will raise caterpillars to butterflies, cultivating stewardship of nature’s small wonders. They will explore New Haven, hiking up East Rock and through Edgerton Park. They will write poems and stories to publish in our student magazine. They will read and read and read - some even building their home libraries with books from Laura’s own collections. They will paddle, then swim, then confidently dive - into the pool, and into learning about themselves and the world we share. 

We are grateful for your kind words, your time and gifts, and to everyone who joins us on the path to educational equity that Laura forged years ago. Thank you for believing in us.

With deep gratitude,

Francie Irvine
Board Chair
Horizons at Foote

To view a list of donors to the Laura Altshul Joy of Learning Fund, follow this link.