After 2 Children Drown, Woman Creates Water Safety Program for Youth

Everyday Inspirations is a series that features people in Patch communities who inspire others through their work, or people who have faced extraordinary situations and grown from them. They have been featured by other people in the community that have been inspired by the nominees.

Name: Ashley Morrison
Town: La Canada, CA
Nominated by: Roseanne Morrison

Why is this person an "Everyday Inspiration?" 
Ashley Morrison created a water safety and CPR educational program targeting youth ages 4 to 15. The program, titled “LifeSavers,” empowers youth with lifesaving skills.

The youngest groups learned through interactive role play how to call 911 and what information to give the emergency operator when calling from a cell phone. She also created an activity book to highlight water safety. For older groups, the focus was on CPR. She held six trainings and educated 450 youth.

Participants practiced compressions on inflatable manikins provided by LA County Fire Department, Station 82 while other groups learned infant CPR using Annie dolls while other groups learned infant CPR using Annie dolls. Ashley developed and distributed resource lists that included local Babysitting training classes that would provide a more in-depth course on emergency preparedness and coordinated training for her Girl Scout troop through the American Heart Association so they could become CPR certified.

The drowning of two young children in neighborhood pools just blocks from her home inspired her to conduct this program.

Has the nominee's life been changed in an extraordinary way? 

Ashley Morrison has decided to continue her LifeSavers program beyond completing the necessary hours needed to complete her Girl Scout Gold Award. So through Kids & Teens L.A. -La Canada she'll continue to focus on this program. Kids Care L.A. is a very special group of down to earth kids and moms that have come together to make a difference in the world.

The moms in the group wanted to teach their kids the importance of seeing the bigger picture of the world, as our kids are very fortunate in all the opportunities they have and all the material possessions, etc...it is important that they learn the importance to give back to those in need. Ashley and her friend Desi Dominguez are the co-presidents and will work on projects to continue to help their local community. 

How does this person work to make others' lives better?

The Lifesavers educational program could make La Canada a safer place and even save a life!