Colin's Hope

Colin’s Hope was formed in 2008 after 4 year old Colin Holst tragically drowned in a public pool, with lifeguards on duty and family members present. Our mission is to raise water safety awareness to prevent children from drowning. Drowning is the number 1 cause of accidental death for children under 5 and a leading cause for ages 1-14. While no-one is drownproof, drowning IS preventable.

Our major programs/initiatives include:

1. Creation and distribution of bilingual Water Safety information to families, schools, water parks, and youth based organizations.
2.  Sponsorship, and co-coordination of a swim safety program for at-risk 4 year olds. This program includes swim lessons plus on land water safety education, and is conducted in partnership with the YMCA and Austin ISD.
3. Global dissemination of water safety information in the form of our online Water Safety Quiz, and our Water Safety Tips & Layers of Protection.
4. Hosting and/or participation in many community based health and safety events.
5. Annual Water Safety Awareness ad campaigns featuring billboards and print ads each year from March-September.

We are a very passionate organization with a small staff, a dedicated Board of Directors and a committed team of community volunteers and strategic partners—sharing a vision of a world where no child drowns.