Spotlight of the Week: Wanda Butts – A Lifesaving Mission
Wanda Butts is a true testament to resilience, turning personal tragedy into a mission that has saved countless lives. Following the devastating loss of her 16-year-old son, Josh, to a drowning accident in 2006, Wanda took action to ensure that no other parent would have to endure such heartbreak. This determination led to the founding of The Josh Project in 2007, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching minority children how to swim and promoting water safety.
Wanda’s fear of water stemmed from childhood, and like many African American families, she had not prioritized swimming education for her son. After learning that African American children are statistically at a much higher risk of drowning, she realized she was not alone. This knowledge fueled her passion to make a difference, inspiring her to create an organization that would provide accessible and affordable swimming lessons for children in the Toledo, Ohio area.
Through The Josh Project, Wanda has created a lasting impact, helping over 2,000 children learn how to swim for a nominal fee. Partnering with the USA Swimming Foundation’s Make-A-Splash initiative, the program offers certified swimming instructors who volunteer their time to teach children in a safe and structured environment. The first water safety session was held in March 2007, and since then, the initiative has expanded, inspiring similar programs in other communities such as Norfolk, Virginia.
Beyond swimming lessons, Wanda has taken her advocacy to schools, churches, and community centers, spreading awareness about the importance of water safety through speaking engagements. Her goal is to continue expanding The Josh Project by training more instructors and eventually acquiring a dedicated facility for the program.
Wanda Butts’ unwavering dedication has not gone unnoticed. She was named a CNN Hero in 2012 and was recognized as one of The Grio’s 100 in 2013. Despite balancing a full-time job with the city of Toledo, she remains committed to her cause, embodying the belief that one person’s pain can be transformed into purpose.
Her message is simple yet profound: “If I could help somebody not to have to go through what I go through every day of my life, and will for the rest of my life, then that’s what I wanted to do.” Through The Josh Project, Wanda Butts continues to create waves of change, ensuring that children gain not only a crucial life skill but also the confidence and security that come with it.
