Xander’s volunteer swim program empowers newcomer children
Xander Christian, a Grade 11 student and certified lifeguard, was inspired to make a difference after learning about ISANS through a parent at his school who had once received support. Motivated by ISANS’ impact on newcomers and connected to Swim Space—a welcoming environment for your children to learn to love the water—Xander set out to address a critical need in his community.
Recognizing that water safety is crucial in Nova Scotia, Xander was struck by a survey showing that while four out of five Canadians can swim, only one in five newcomers possess this skill. This disparity, combined with the high cost and limited availability of swim lessons, drove him to action.
“My dream is to establish a lasting partnership that continues to provide free swim lessons to those in need, especially in a province where water safety is crucial,” Xander explains. “I want to teach 30 swimmers the swim lessons before starting university.”
With training from the Nova Scotia Lifesaving Society, Xander volunteers his time to teach these lessons. Working alongside Lani Poce, ISANS’ Coordinator for Community Connections, he helped develop and launch a free swim program for newcomer children. Planning began in October 2024, and the first session launched on January 5, 2025. Over six weeks, groups of six children participated in lessons tailored for ages three to six and five to eight.
“Swimming is such an important skill to have especially living in Nova Scotia, but lessons can be expensive and hard to get into,” shares Lani. “We were very excited about this opportunity at the Swim Space and for Xander’s initiative to create such a great program for some of our newcomer families.”
Xander finds fulfillment in watching children gain confidence in the water. One memorable experience involved siblings who spoke only Spanish; with the help of an ISANS interpreter, Xander was able to communicate effectively, making the lessons accessible and enriching his own teaching experience.
“I love when a child finds they are floating, their faces lighten up,” Xander shares. “This happiness brightness my day seeing them laughing, dancing and it’s just fun.”
Parents have noticed the difference.
“Xander has a real gift with kids. Our 3-year-old Ryan felt comfortable with him right away, and the Swim Space lessons quickly became the highlight of his week,” says Vitali Mishyn, an ISANS client in the current swim group.
Another parent, Illia Bohdanov, adds, “Xander is an amazing instructor who makes every lesson fun and safe, and we really appreciate the time and heart he puts into this program.”
Through his initiative, Xander is not only teaching a life-saving skill but also helping newcomer children and families feel more at home in their new community.