Darlene Haskins - Executive Director

I have been a Lifeguard & swim instructor since 1995. I studeied Early CHildhood Education and have my teaching Credential. I am of Mom of 4 and moved to NC from CA in 2009. After researching ISR, I applied to become an instructor, was accepted in 2013! I quit my teaching job and trained in 2014. From there, I established Safe Swim NC, now one of the Triad's leading providers of swim lessons and safety training. ​ Through ISR, I became increasingly educated on water safety and drowning statistics and have become a strong advocate for survival swim lessons and educating on the layers of drowning prevention. I soon recognized amongst the families I taught a need for safety training and swim lessons for parents and older siblings and obtained my American Red Cross Instructor Certification for Water Safety/Swim and CPR/First Aid/AED Adult and Pediatric. Wanting to further my efforts in our community and beyond, I launched the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Hand in Hand Water Safety Awareness Foundation, with the mission to equip all people with survival swimming skills and water safety best practices to prevent drowning-related accidents.

Jessi Craver - Marketing /PR Chair

As a young girl I was told that I could go an do extraordinary things in my life, that I could change the world. I have strived for being the best I can my entire life since then. I wear my heart on my sleeve and love deeply which has helped me find the greatest directions in my life. I have been married for ten years, I have five wonderful children who are all brilliantly different in their own ways. I have been inspired from my family through the years. In 2011 I donated my kidney to my step daughters, step dad. I am a living kidney donor. Giving the gift of life gives you a perspective on life many do no not have the privilege of viewing. Sharing and learning drowing statistics is equivalent to me as me being a living kidney donor, how many lives can I save by sharing all the information about childhood drowning with my community? I worked my way through a career locally, I worked my way through to the top, with wonderful colleagues and contacts and in 2017 my world came crashing down when the owner retired and I found the industry was not as honest as I was raised in. In 2019 decided to step away from my Career and focus on my family and myself homeschooling my children. My eyes were open to the world of ISR when I brought my fourth grader to sign up for homeschool swim, I watched as a toddler was swimming and then floating to save her life, one of the layers of protection. I was instantly amazed and knew my 20 month old needed to be a part of this organization and these skills, I also signed my then 4 week old up well for ISR at seven months old as well.

Secretary

After spending 5 years putting my oldest daughter through various types of swim lessons only to have her emerge from each round of lessons without the ability to swim and still terrified of being let go in the water, I knew there had to be a better way. That's how I found Safe Swim NC and Hand in Hand Water Safety Awareness Foundation. Once both of my daughters finished ISR lessons and were able to rescue themselves and swim safely and confidently in the water, I found myself wondering why so many children were missing on out acquiring these life-saving skills. I wanted to spread the word and connect more families to available water safety resources.I've always found joy in helping others, which has fueled my passion for community mental health and my career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and therapist. Volunteering for Hand in Hand Water Safety Awareness Foundation provides me with another means to meet people where they are and help them get the support and resources they need to stay happy and healthy. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to help make a difference in our community!