A young child receives aquatic therapy at Pools of Home. The organization was founded in the 1950s by Evelyn duPont, in her small backyard pool. Today, the organization offers two enclosed pools heated to 91 to 94 degrees. Photo courtesy of Pools of Hope.

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Each year, over 1,500 people receive rehabilitation and wellness services at Pools of Hope, a Long Beach-based nonprofit in its 59th year of service.

While initially created to serve children with disabilities, the Pools of Hope of today serves a wider range of needs and clientele, extending to adults with disabilities, veterans and seniors.

Through its 11 classes offered each week, pool members receive care targeted specifically to them, while experiencing the many benefits of heated pools.

“It affords people empowerment to be active in their quality of life regardless of their abilities,” said Executive Director Patricia Dixon.

“We all have some limitation, being a human being,” she said. “So we serve people with various abilities to live their best life.”

The pools, heated from 91 to 94 degrees, offer a plethora of therapeutic benefits, explained Dixon.

The pools provide minimal stress on joints, while the buoyancy of the water helps to elevate leg muscles, she said.

“Wider movement is made possible for people who are maybe prohibited on land,” said Dixon.

For children with cerebral palsy or autism, the pools also enhance motor skills through sensory integration, said Dixon.

“We have stories where children with autism … they may not have spoken, and because of the interaction with their instructor, they say first words,” said Dixon.

Pools of Hope has also developed a comprehensive veterans program, through partnerships with Veterans Affairs.

Some veterans are able to receive services for free, and their families are sometimes offered access to the pool’s wellness program.

Unlike its therapeutic services, which require a doctor’s referral, Pools of Hope’s wellness component operates similarly to a gym membership, with various exercise classes, ranging from step aerobics, lap swimming, Tai Chi, cardio aqua and more.

In addition to its therapeutic program, Pools of Hope also offers a variety of exercise classes. While a doctor’s referral is needed for the therapeutic program, the wellness program operates similarly to a gym membership. Photo courtesy of Pools of Hope.

The pools are fully accessible, with ramps and water wheelchairs available. With discount services available and sometimes free memberships for veterans, people travel from near and far to Pools of Hope, said Dixon.

“It’s a community,” she said.

As the organization reaches its 59th year, Dixon and Pools of Hope are constantly looking ahead to see how to further meet the needs of the community.

From expanding to offer recreational summer swimming for children, to introducing a “Brown Baggin’ for Health” program to provide lunches and wellness information for seniors waiting hours for public transportation, Dixon hopes that the services don’t stop there.

She hopes to implement mental health services for Pools of Hopes members in need, potentially in July or August of this year.

In addition, Dixon hopes to upgrade the facilities, including two pools that were initially outdoors until they were enclosed in the 1970s, as well as the parking.

“We’re constantly looking at ways how we can make our facility better and nicer for the people we serve,” said Dixon. “We feel they deserve the best.”

Dixon became involved with Pools of Hope around 1998, initially as a board member, during a time of change for the organization, she said.

“Funding was drying out,” said Dixon. “It’s been 24 years, and we’ve grown the organization to where the budget has more than 10 times what it was when I came, and we’re looking to do even greater things because the need is great.”

Over the years, Pools of Hope has witnessed first words, rehabilitations and countless successes among its clients.

“You can stay somewhere for 60 years, but if you’re not making a difference and having an impact, then it doesn’t matter,” said Dixon.

This summer, Pools of Hope’s summer recreation program for youth is returning. For anyone interested in exploring Pools of Hope’s programs, feel free to show up for a free visit of the warm pools, said Dixon.

“I think we were created to serve, I think that’s the whole purpose of humanity,” said Dixon. “That is my greatest joy. When I’m having a stress day, and feel like I can’t do this anymore, I just go look out my (office) window, and it’s not about me, but why I’m here, and I see the impact of how Pools of Hope is helping people to live their best life, and it makes my day good.”

Pools of Hope can be contacted at pools@caaquatictherapy.com or 310-537-2224. The organization is located at 6801 Long Beach Blvd.