In an effort to build strategic alliances that will help eliminate childhood drowning, Meow Meow Foundation principals Doug Forbes and Elena Matyas met with Michael Phelps Foundation Managing Director Marissa Fortier.

“Marissa was an absolute joy to speak with,” Forbes said. “She and Michael have created unique, holistic water safety programming that we want to further explore as as a potential key component of our end-to-end drowning elimination solution.”

Named after Phelp’s signature event the Individual Medley, IM is a water-safety, physical and mental wellness and goal-setting program which, thus far, has been distributed through Boys & Girls Clubs of America members and Special Olympics International athletes.

Forbes and Matyas would like to potentially leverage the program or parts thereof for school-based curriculum which they hope to pilot in the Los Angeles Unified School District and their local Pasadena Unified School District.

“Our core belief is that, even the world’s premier athletes such as Michael need to surround themselves with trusted partners to achieve their lofty goals,” Matyas said. “We want to work with the best to offer the best programs to our children who deserve our absolute best.”

Fortier has been working alongside Michael Phelps since 2003 and with the MPF since it was founded in 2008. She developed the IM Program curriculum in 2009 and piloted the program in 2010. The program, developed in partnership with Nemours KidsHealth.org and Michael Phelps Swimming, includes learn-to-swim lessons, recreational aquatic activities, organized swim training and health, wellness and goal-setting.

Michael Phelps is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. He captured 28 medals, including a record-setting 23 gold medals, and set 39 world records over the course of his career. Phelps utilized his performance bonus for winning eight gold medals in 2008 to establish the Michael Phelps Foundation which promotes water safety, healthy living and the pursuit of dreams.

Forbes and Matyas will meet again with Fortier in the coming weeks to discuss a formalized plan for 2021.