About – The Wet Feet Foundation

Tracy Pack‑White

Tracy Pack‑White is a real estate developer, entrepreneur, and nonprofit leader based in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is the founder of The WET FEET Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the gap in water safety education for underserved youth. Tracy earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from the C.T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston, where she developed a strong foundation in business and community engagement.

Through her leadership, The WET FEET Foundation provides access to swimming lessons, water survival training, and CPR education—essential life skills that are too often unavailable in communities of color and low-income neighborhoods. The foundation’s mission is rooted in empowerment, mentorship, and skill-building, creating safer futures for the next generation.

In addition to her work in the nonprofit sector, Tracy is the owner of GFH Priority Properties, a real estate development firm focused on neighborhood revitalization and sustainable growth. Her work balances economic advancement with social impact, consistently putting community first.

Tracy’s unwavering commitment to service is fueled by both personal experience and professional purpose—making her a passionate advocate for change and a trusted voice in both business and nonprofit spaces.

Founder’s Story: Why I Created The WET FEET Foundation The WET FEET Foundation was born out of a life-altering experience that revealed just how critical water survival skills are—especially in communities where access to such training is rare.

While vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, my husband and I were unexpectedly swept off the beach by a powerful rip current. Neither of us knew how to swim. As we were pulled into the open ocean, panic set in. But in that terrifying moment, I remembered a short lesson a dear friend had given me nearly eight years prior—he had insisted I learn how to float. Thanks to that single lesson, I was able to stay afloat for over seven minutes, waves crashing over me, until a large wave pushed me close enough to shore for bystanders to help pull me to safety.

I was hospitalized in Los Cabos, placed on a ventilator in the CCU for two days, and later transferred to a hospital in Houston, where I was treated for pneumonia in both lungs, pleurisy, and a collapsed lung.

My husband, a disabled veteran with no water training, managed to tread water until he, too, was rescued. The physical trauma was immense—but the emotional clarity that followed was even more powerful.

We realized that our survival shouldn’t have been a miracle—it should have been a matter of preparation. Being from South Louisiana, where water is part of everyday life, these skills should not be optional—they should be mandatory. That’s why we founded The WET FEET Foundation: to provide youth and families in underserved communities with the tools, training, and confidence to survive and thrive around water.

Our mission is personal. Our commitment is lifelong. And our vision is clear: a future where every child, no matter their zip code, can swim confidently and safely.

Tracy Pack-White

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Mental health plays a crucial role in the overall development of youth participating in swim programs, influencing various aspects of their lives and experiences. Here are some key points detailing its impact.

Stress Reduction and Relaxation

Swimming is known to be a soothing activity that helps reduce stress and anxiety. The repetitive nature of swimming strokes and the focus on breathing can create a meditative effect, allowing youth to relax and unwind.

Enhanced Mood and Emotional Wellbeing

Physical activity, including swimming, releases endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that promote feelings of happiness and euphoria. Regular participation in swim programs can lead to improvements in mood and overall emotional health.

Building Self-Esteem and Confidence

Mastering swimming skills fosters a sense of accomplishment and boosts self-esteem. As youth progress through different levels of swimming ability, they gain confidence in their capabilities, which can translate to other areas of their lives.

Social Connections

Swim programs often foster a sense of community and belonging. Engaging with peers and instructors helps youth develop social skills, build friendships, and combat feelings of isolation. Strong social support is vital for mental health.

Discipline and Goal Setting

Participating in swim programs teaches youth discipline, as they learn to commit to practice and work towards specific goals (e.g., improving stroke technique or completing a race). This goal-oriented mindset can enhance resilience and coping skills.

Coping Mechanism

Swimming can serve as a healthy outlet for emotions and frustrations. It provides youth with a constructive way to channel their feelings, helping them develop better coping mechanisms for dealing with life's challenges.

Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle

Regular swimming encourages a healthy lifestyle, which is integral to mental health. Physical fitness is linked to improved cognitive function, reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, and overall better mental wellbeing.

Mindfulness and Focus

Swimming requires concentration and mindfulness, helping youth develop their ability to focus on the present moment. This practice can improve attention span and cognitive skills, which are beneficial in academic and social settings.

In summary, mental health significantly impacts the development of youth in swim programs by enhancing emotional wellbeing, building self-confidence, fostering social connections, and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. By addressing both physical and mental health through swimming, youth can experience holistic growth and development.

Underserved Youth & Drowning Risk

In the past three years, specific statistics detailing deaths among underserved youth in Texas and Louisiana due to hurricanes and flooding, linked to a lack of swimming and water survival skills, are not readily available. However, several key points can be highlighted.

Vulnerability to Drowning

Studies indicate that youth in underserved communities are particularly vulnerable to drowning during flooding events. Lack of access to swimming lessons and water safety education contributes significantly to these risks.

Hurricane Impacts

Hurricanes such as Harvey (2017) and Laura (2020) resulted in numerous fatalities, many related to drowning. While exact figures for youth deaths specifically due to insufficient swimming skills are challenging to quantify, the overarching trend shows that children in low-income areas are disproportionately affected.

General Drowning Statistics

The CDC states that drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children aged 1-4 years and the second leading cause for children aged 5-14 years. The statistics highlight the need for targeted interventions in areas prone to flooding and hurricanes.

Increased Risk Factors

Factors such as socioeconomic status, limited access to resources, and lack of community programs for swimming education contribute to the heightened risk of drowning among underserved youth in these disaster-prone areas.

Call for Action

The reality of climate change, resulting in more frequent and severe flooding, underscores the urgent need for water safety education. Programs aimed at teaching water survival skills can significantly reduce the likelihood of drowning during emergencies.

Addressing these issues through targeted educational programs and community partnerships is essential to mitigate the risks faced by underserved youth in hurricane and flooding-prone areas.