Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Leon.
Hi Jessica, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
On July 10, 2018, my father Horacio Leon Jr drowned at 300 South Lakeshore Drive Chicago IL, he subsequently passed away on July 23, 2018. My father was the strongest and smartest man I have ever known and to see him suffering a totally preventable death was the worse thing anyone can experience. I knew that something had to be done and I decided to turn my grief and anger into something productive.
I created a nonprofit organization in my father’s name, geared to promote water safety education and Installation of critical water safety life-saving equipment in the state of Florida and Illinois. I started with Chicago being that my father lost his life in this city and I worked for 4 years to get Chicago Parks District to install water rescue stations throughout the 26-mile shoreline with Lake Michigan. Chicago has finally started installing 105 water rescue stations in all beach locations.
Simultaneously, I worked with Miami (where I was born and raised) I reached out to my local Commissioner Joe Martinez to pass legislation (File #: 210724) in Miami-Dade county requesting that water rescue stations be installed in Miami-Dade-owned waterways. The legislation was presented to the board of commissioners and passed unanimously. Since then Miami-Dade county has begun to place water rescue stations in vital areas. I wanted to donate water rescue stations to locations around my hometown of Miami and Chicago. As a registered nurse, I feel that I have a certain responsibility to advocate for a person’s life and safety as I do in my profession.
2 water rescue stations were donated to Virginia Key, a barrier island North of Key Biscayne in memory of Cristian Burgos, a 17-year-old who jumped into a rip current to save a woman and her child. He tragically lost his life to save total strangers and I want his memory to live on. I also decided on donating 2 water rescue stations to Bahia Honda State Park in Big Pine Key simply because this beach means the world to me and I have the fondest of memories as a little girl in this state park and I want it to be the safest as possible.
The stations were placed on both sides of the old railroad bridge- a popular fishing location.
I have made it my mission to educate the community on water safety by educating the Booker T. Washington High school faculty and staff and local churches. I have gone to a total of 3 Miami Dade school board meetings requesting that water safety education be combined with a physical component to teach middle and high school students how to “Reach or Throw, Don’t Go” an American Red Cross slogan.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been the most challenging, yet worthy cause I have ever set out to do in my life. I have met resistance from both Miami and Chicago local governments. Miami-Dade County public schools have also shown incredible resistance and have yet to initiate a comprehensive program for all middle and high school students.
I have requested a meeting with Governor Ron DeSantis to request these positive life-saving changes for our great state of Florida, and I am awaiting a response from the Governor’s office. I am currently communicating with the Florida education department administration on to see that every public school from Kindergarten to 12 grade recieve water safety education every school year. Good news from Chicago comes in the form of Illinois Governor Pritzker signing the Water Safety equipment act for all publicly owned waterways.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Horacio Leon Jr. Water Safety Project. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The nonprofit organization’s mission encompasses community outreach via water safety education but my mission goes beyond that. I want to make an everlasting change in our communities and states by meeting with lawmakers and requesting that viable common-sense changes be made and enacted into law.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up as an only child, I had to be very creative with how I remained entertained. I loved drawing and coloring. Whenever I had the opportunity to play outdoors, I took it. Whether I was climbing a mango tree or running through the waves at the beach, nature was and continues to be what makes me happiest. Animals were my passion. My grandfather would spoil me with chickens and rabbits and from early on I would say my career choice was to be a veterinarian.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thehoracioleonjrwatersafetyproject.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectwatersafety/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCEptYnpOKzqiBMaGjdoxb4A
