Featured Image: Swim Angelfish co-founders Ailene Tisser, left, and Cindy Freedman with a young swimmer in their aquatic program. (Credit: Photo provided by Swim Angelfish)
Community is more than a concept at The Osborn – it’s a way of life. Through thoughtful partnerships and shared purpose, The Osborn opens its doors in ways that truly make a difference in the lives of its residents, staff and the Rye community.
That spirit is evidenced in its unique collaboration with Swim Angelfish, an organization that teaches children and young adults – particularly those with autism and other special needs – critical, often life-saving water skills. Each Wednesday, The Osborn provides access to its indoor pool, free of charge. What might seem like a nice gesture is, in reality, transformative – creating local access to essential services for families in the area.
“We all feel like part of the community,” said Ailene Tisser, founder of Swim Angelfish. “We’re right there – kids, parents, instructors – interacting with residents, learning from each other. It’s something bigger than just a swim lesson.”
“Opening our doors to Swim Angelfish each week is so meaningful for our entire community,” said Chris Ferreri, Chief Operating Officer of The Osborn. “It’s become one of the highlights of the week for many of our residents. There’s something special about watching these terrific kids build confidence and have such joy in the water. It’s a reminder that connection doesn’t always require words; sometimes, it’s simply about being present and sharing experiences. We’re proud to support Swim Angelfish and have a role in this important program.”
Turning a Passion into a Critical Program
For Tisser, a pediatric physical therapist and certified Autism Specialist, swimming was a passion; she’d been a lifeguard and taught swimming in her youth. That passion evolved into purpose when she reconnected with a colleague and began doing after-hours aquatic therapy.
It quickly “snowballed” into a larger program and, in 2000, Tisser and therapist Cindy Freedman founded Swim Angelfish. “Therapy isn’t always enjoyable for kids,” Tisser explained. “But in the water, that all changes. They’re motivated, engaged, happy – and they are learning to be safer.”
That’s crucial, as one in 31 children is diagnosed with autism and children on the spectrum are more likely to wander and be drawn to water. The program now operates in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with 40 staff, seeing 600 kids a week.
“The work just keeps validating that what we’re doing is necessary and important … but we can’t do the work if we don’t have water,” Tisser said.
A Welcoming Sense of Community at The Osborn
“Pool space is incredibly hard to come by,” Tisser said. “We’ve worked out of hotel pools, YMCAs – wherever we could find a lane. But it’s not always consistent, and it’s rarely enough.”
That’s where The Osborn stepped in. When the partnership began just over two years ago, there were more than 100 families on a waiting list in the Rye area alone. By opening its pool each week, The Osborn has helped meet that demand – bringing critical services closer to home for families who once traveled long distances. Swim Angelfish serves about 30 swimmers (ages 2–28) at The Osborn’s pool, helping participants gain strength, safety skills and confidence in the water. For many, it has been life-changing. One local family had been traveling up to an hour for sessions, and now walks to The Osborn campus. Another shared that their child had been at constant risk around water and now, applying skills learned through the program, safely enjoys time in their own backyard pool.
Beyond access, The Osborn offers a welcoming sense of community, said Tisser, adding that programs like this are not always easily understood. Children may express themselves in ways that feel unfamiliar to others, through sounds, movements or behaviors that draw attention in public spaces. “The reality is, many families don’t feel welcomed in traditional settings,” Tisser said. “They’re used to being stared at, or avoided.”
At The Osborn, the response has been different. “It’s just been such a blessing to be here,” Tisser said. “The residents didn’t just accept us, they embraced us. They ask questions. They want to learn. Some share their own family connections to special needs. They truly welcomed us.”
For Swim Angelfish, the partnership reflects a larger philosophy captured in its tagline: “Transforming Abilities.” Through therapy, adaptive swim instruction and global training programs, the organization is not only helping children gain independence and confidence, it is also reshaping what’s possible for families, professionals and communities alike.
“We get to witness the miracles that these kids are experiencing and these parents are seeing,” said Tisser. “We get to feel it with them. There’s nothing more gratifying than that.”
And at The Osborn, that transformation is happening every week.
Learn more about how The Osborn supports its neighbors here.