# @americanredcross on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C0zN2GqulP9
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/72591408-americanredcross-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/176f587969.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-12-13T16:40:16.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** American Red Cross (@americanredcross) — https://gondola.cc/americanredcross

## Caption

‘Miss Angel’ was a well-known and well-loved member of Rebekah Craig’s neighborhood. But one day, when Miss Angel was on a fishing trip with friends, she slipped off the embankment of a pond and drowned. This hit Rebekah - a Red Cross certified swim instructor - particularly hard.

“She didn’t know how to swim and no one that was with her knew either," Rebekah said. "I was heartbroken and frustrated because I knew I could have taught her, even just the basics of how to save yourself.” 

So, Rebekah took action. With the help of her fellow swim instructors, Aqua Angels was born. The program breaks barriers of fear and creates a safe space for adults to learn how to swim for free or low cost. Each class is taught by certified instructors who volunteer their time.

Although the Aqua Angels teach adults of all ages, races and backgrounds, Rebekah says their students are primarily Black and brown adults and individuals on fixed incomes.

"We’re providing a service to a historically marginalized community," Rebekah said. "It feels amazing to help people out, provide a service and meet a need that hasn’t been met. When I ask people why they trust us, they say, ‘It looked like my community.’”

About 130 people signed up for the first summer sessions in 2021, and now, the program has taught more than 15,000 people how to swim and about water safety.

But it doesn’t stop there. Teaching people how to be confident in the water is Rebekah's calling. She has been educating people for about 15 years, and even taught all five of her nieces and nephews how to swim. Rebekah will continue answering the call to serve, teaching more parents and grandparents how to swim, in hopes that they will inspire new generations to learn too.

“It’s not about me at all," said Rebekah. "It’s about making a difference in this community. I feel humbled and super grateful.” ❤️

#StoriesThatInspire #WaterSafety #Lifeguard #SwimInstructor #RedCrossTraining #LifesavingTraining

## Stats

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- **Likes:** 224
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## Tags

redcrosstraining, watersafety, storiesthatinspire, lifesavingtraining, swiminstructor, lifeguard

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