Swim Up Hill Brings First Trauma-Informed Swim Program to Compton in Historic City Partnership
The Californer/10320708

COMPTON, Calif. - Californer -- Four years of persistence have delivered a historic breakthrough: Swim Up Hill and the Swimmable Pill Foundation have partnered with the City of Compton to train municipal staff in the Swimmable Pill Light Program and deliver culturally tailored, trauma‑informed swim education at the Gonzales Park pool. Backed by community ally One with the Ocean and equipment partner Aqua by Delfino, the initiative launches a full summer season of instruction while preparing more than 10 City of Compton staff to lead long-term aquatics transformation.

"This moment is historic—not because it took four years to build, but because the City of Compton said yes to doing aquatics differently," said Paralympic medalist and Swim Up Hill founder Jamal Hill. "Together, we're proving that swimming isn't just a skill. It's a pathway to healing, to jobs, to community power."

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A New Standard in Culturally Competent Aquatics

Swimmable Pill Light was created as a deliberate alternative to outdated, exclusionary national programs like the Red Cross. Its curriculum centers cultural humility and trauma‑informed pedagogy for BIPOC communities historically excluded from aquatics. With equipment donated by Aqua by Delfino, newly trained Compton instructors are teaching in an environment built for dignity, safety, and success.

"This partnership is about rewriting the narrative around swimming in our community," said the City of Compton Aquatics Director. "Our community deserves this kind of investment."

Milestones & Momentum

The kickoff event transformed Gonzales Park from an idle facility to an active hub. Program filming is documenting the journey for a national campaign, while upcoming cultural site visits with the Compton Cowboys deepen the bridge between water, identity, and local pride. Part of the All Roads Lead to LA28 campaign, the initiative positions Compton as a replicable model other cities can adopt.

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Long-Term Impact

The partnership sparks jobs and engagement: trained staff gain paid pathways, families access skills, and Gonzales Park emerges as a community anchor. What began as a four‑year pursuit now stands as a scalable blueprint for municipal swim equity nationwide.

Impact at a Glance

• 10+ City of Compton staff trained in Swimmable Pill Light
• Full summer season of trauma‑informed swim lessons launched
• Equipment donation and support from Aqua by Delfino
• Kickoff and site visits filmed for national campaign
• Job creation and community engagement for long-term growth

How to Partner
Sponsor future cohorts, fund swim lessons, or join as a media partner in the national campaign.

To contribute or learn more, visit www.swimuphill.org

MEDIA CONTACT:
pr@swimuphill.com