By Lindsay Peyton

Mary’s Place was in a predicament. 

The nonprofit opened a new shelter for families in need in a former public health building in White Center in June. 

Liz McDaniel, the organization’s family shelter developer, said everything was going without a hitch – except for one thing. 

“What we were lacking was showers,” she said. “We had a plan to build more, but we knew it would take a while. So we started reaching out to our neighbors.”

Just a 10-minute walk away, Mary’s Place found a solution at Evergreen Community Aquatic Center, 606 SW 116th St.

The nine-lane, multi-purpose pool is run by the nonprofit Whitewater Aquatics Management, a group that offers free or subsidized swim lessons to the community. 

“We provide swimming lessons to the folks in White Center who can’t pay,” president Bryan Hastings said. “If they have a free lunch voucher, we honor it with lessons. We recently reached our 12,000 kid mark.”

When Hastings heard about the opportunity to help even more community members, he jumped at the chance. 

Now, the families being served at Mary’s Place can use the locker room and showers at Evergreen Community Aquatic Center – and their children will have access free swim lessons and pool time.  

“The parents can offer this slice of fun to their families,” McDaniel said. “And what a gift that is.”

In the meantime, construction has begun on the new showers at the shelter. 
 

Hastings plans to continue to provide free swim lessons and pool time to residents of Mary’s Place in White Center long after the showers are built. 

“We also want to provide a washer and dryer and towels,” he said. “We want it to be a full package deal.”

Amerigroup Washington contributed $5,000 to the effort, presenting a check to Evergreen Community Aquatic Center and Mary’s Place on Thursday, June 29.

Craig Smith, president of the health care group, said the goal is to improve the health and wellbeing of White Center residents who are going through difficult times. 

“For us, it’s very simple,” he said. “Our philosophy is all about being very involved in the local community. It’s the rule we live by. This is an incredible program, and it’s an honor to partner with the pool.”

Hastings said that donations will support the staff, the lessons, issuing of towels and creation of a voucher system to allow these residents to come to the pool during regular operating hours. 

For more information about Mary’s Place, visit www.marysplaceseattle.org.

For more information about the Evergreen Community Aquatic Center and Whitewater Aquatics Management, visit www.teamunify.com/Home.jsp?team=cmwaecac. 

For more information about Amerigroup, visit www.amerigroup.com .