Wanda Butts lost her son in a drowning accident six years ago. In his memory, she <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2012%2F05%2F10%2Fus%2Fcnnheroes-butts-josh-project%2Findex.html">started the Josh Project</a>, a nonprofit that taught nearly 1,200 children, most of them minorities, how to swim.
Portrait of a Hero: Wanda Butts —
Wanda Butts lost her son in a drowning accident six years ago. In his memory, she started the Josh Project, a nonprofit that taught nearly 1,200 children, most of them minorities, how to swim.
Jeff Hutchens for CNN
A photo of Josh hangs from Butts' neck. Josh drowned in 2006 while rafting on a lake with friends. The 16-year-old didn't know how to swim, and he wasn't wearing a life jacket, Butts said.
Portrait of a Hero: Wanda Butts —
A photo of Josh hangs from Butts' neck. Josh drowned in 2006 while rafting on a lake with friends. The 16-year-old didn't know how to swim, and he wasn't wearing a life jacket, Butts said.
Jeff Hutchens for CNN
Butts talks about water safety during an assembly at the Gesu School in Toledo, Ohio. One of her goals is to raise awareness about drowning prevention, especially in communities where statistics indicate drownings are more likely to happen.
Portrait of a Hero: Wanda Butts —
Butts talks about water safety during an assembly at the Gesu School in Toledo, Ohio. One of her goals is to raise awareness about drowning prevention, especially in communities where statistics indicate drownings are more likely to happen.
Jeff Hutchens for CNN
According to USA Swimming, 70% of African-American children cannot swim, compared with nearly 60% for Hispanic children and 42% for white children. African-American children between the ages of 5 and 14 drown at a rate almost three times higher than white children in the same age range.
Portrait of a Hero: Wanda Butts —
According to USA Swimming, 70% of African-American children cannot swim, compared with nearly 60% for Hispanic children and 42% for white children. African-American children between the ages of 5 and 14 drown at a rate almost three times higher than white children in the same age range.
Jeff Hutchens for CNN
Children at the Gesu School learn how to put on a life jacket. "As a child, I never went around water," Butts said. "I never went swimming. I didn't know anything about water or life jackets and water safety."
Portrait of a Hero: Wanda Butts —
Children at the Gesu School learn how to put on a life jacket. "As a child, I never went around water," Butts said. "I never went swimming. I didn't know anything about water or life jackets and water safety."
Jeff Hutchens for CNN
Photographer Jeff Hutchens said, "This whole thing has come out of tragedy within Wanda's life, and you can see how much passion she now has for making sure that kind of thing doesn't happen again to other parents or children."
Portrait of a Hero: Wanda Butts —
Photographer Jeff Hutchens said, "This whole thing has come out of tragedy within Wanda's life, and you can see how much passion she now has for making sure that kind of thing doesn't happen again to other parents or children."
Jeff Hutchens for CNN
Butts said she is now finding positives from her son's tragic death. "His death from drowning gave my life meaning, because I can now share with others the importance of knowing how to swim and the importance of knowing water safety," she said.
Portrait of a Hero: Wanda Butts —
Butts said she is now finding positives from her son's tragic death. "His death from drowning gave my life meaning, because I can now share with others the importance of knowing how to swim and the importance of knowing water safety," she said.
Jeff Hutchens for CNN
Children prepare for swimming lessons at St. Francis de Sales High School in Toledo.
Portrait of a Hero: Wanda Butts —
Children prepare for swimming lessons at St. Francis de Sales High School in Toledo.
Jeff Hutchens for CNN
Children listen to their instructor during lessons at the high school.
Portrait of a Hero: Wanda Butts —
Children listen to their instructor during lessons at the high school.
Jeff Hutchens for CNN
"All children are at risk of drowning," Butts said, "but the majority of the children that the Josh Project serves are minority children, who we have found are more at risk."
Portrait of a Hero: Wanda Butts —
"All children are at risk of drowning," Butts said, "but the majority of the children that the Josh Project serves are minority children, who we have found are more at risk."
Jeff Hutchens for CNN
The lessons take place over four Saturdays for a total cost of $10.
Portrait of a Hero: Wanda Butts —
The lessons take place over four Saturdays for a total cost of $10.
Jeff Hutchens for CNN
"(Butts) makes everybody feel special," photographer Hutchens said. "She goes out of her way to show them that she cares about them."
Portrait of a Hero: Wanda Butts —
"(Butts) makes everybody feel special," photographer Hutchens said. "She goes out of her way to show them that she cares about them."
Jeff Hutchens for CNN
Butts says she wants the Josh Project to eventually have its own swimming facility so students can practice what they learn in their weekly lessons.
Portrait of a Hero: Wanda Butts —
Butts says she wants the Josh Project to eventually have its own swimming facility so students can practice what they learn in their weekly lessons.
Jeff Hutchens for CNN
"Drowning is preventable if you know the rules," Butts said. "Awareness, education and knowledge is key. That was something I did not have."
Portrait of a Hero: Wanda Butts —
"Drowning is preventable if you know the rules," Butts said. "Awareness, education and knowledge is key. That was something I did not have."
Jeff Hutchens for CNN