Turning Tragedy into Hope: The Mission of the Live Like Jake Foundation
Charity Influencer: Lori Griffith
On November 30, 2013, almost 3-year-old Jake Morrison quietly slipped out a back door while visiting family during the holidays. Tragically, he fell off a dock, and despite every effort to revive him, Jake’s life was heartbreakingly cut short.
The Live Like Jake Foundation is dedicated to the cause of ending childhood drowning. It provides self-rescue swim scholarships and swimming lessons.
“We were in the room with him while they tried so hard to bring him back to us. We still remember every second so clearly, screaming for our baby to come back, all the while knowing he had gone straight to Heaven,” recalls Keri Morrison, Jake’s mother.
Enduring the unimaginable loss of a child is every parent’s worst nightmare. Yet, from this profound grief, Keri found a purpose by creating a legacy for Jake and works tirelessly toward a world where no child drowns.
Keri Morrison founded the Live Like Jake Foundation after the tragic drowning death of her son.
In 2014, Keri founded the Live Like Jake Foundation to raise awareness about childhood drowning prevention and provide life-saving self-rescue swim scholarships for families unable to afford them.
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged one to four, and Keri is determined to change that devastating statistic. The foundation offers financial and emotional support to families affected by drowning accidents, while also providing swimming lessons designed to prevent such tragedies.
At their indoor heated pool, children as young as six months learn ISR (Infant Swimming Resource) self-rescue techniques. These critical skills, such as “Rollback to Float,” teach infants and toddlers how to roll onto their backs, float, rest, and breathe until help arrives.
To date, the Live Like Jake Foundation has awarded over 4,000 ISR scholarships, saving countless lives and creating a ripple effect of safety and awareness. Keri’s mission is unwavering: “We will not stop until we see a day where not one more child drowns.”
Through advocacy, education, and action, the Live Like Jake Foundation honors Jake’s memory while bringing hope and safety to families everywhere. To learn more or support the foundation’s work, visit livelikejake.com.
