Why we exist:
Kourtney’s Story
When I look back on that day, I still find myself questioning…WHY DID I GO?
In June of 2017, I received a Facebook invitation from an old high school friend (now more of an acquaintance through Facebook) to go to her daughter’s annual pool party. The party was held at my old friend’s mom’s house – the same house we spent many weekends at throughout high school. I had never gone before, but for some reason, this year my thought process was a little different. I was making it a point to get out and do more things with the girls. The mom's guilt of being a full-time working parent on top of going to school was weighing heavily on my heart at that time, so the invitation intrigued me more than normal. I would call myself a homebody normally, but this summer, I was going to be different for my girls.
It was Saturday, July 15. The girls had gymnastics that morning. My Photos app outlines the morning for me…continue reading.
We’re working to end childhood drowning.
A young child is more likely to die in a drowning incident than in a car accident. Just as car seats are a necessary measure to protect children, survival swimming lessons and up-to-date water safety information for caregivers are vital for child safety..
Ways to prevent drowning:
Use a layered approach to safety around the pool. Read more.
Be sure your children know how to swim. Learn more.
Change the conversation about water safety. Find out how.
Our Instructors
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Kristina Andrews, RN | Founder, Certified ISR Instructor
After losing my daughter Kourtney at three years old, I felt compelled to prevent other parents from experiencing the same pain, but I was unsure how to contribute. A year after Kourtney's passing, our family welcomed Benjamin, and I came across ISR (Infant Swimming Resource) and I knew I needed my son in ISR. When I sought lessons for him, I discovered a lack of local instructors, which prompted my decision to launch Kourtney’s Kause in 2020 to make survival swim lessons accessible to more families. I got my certification later that year and have been teaching ISR swimming lessons since then.
About me: Originally from Chicago, I moved to the Bay Area as a teenager. As a Registered Nurse with seven years in bedside OB nursing, I transitioned to IT healthcare as an inpatient clinical analyst at a local hospital. At home, I'm blessed with a wonderful husband, an 11-year-old daughter, and two sons, aged 5 and 3. We've lived in many South Bay cities, but have chosen Morgan Hill as our permanent home.
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Kaycee Langer, RN | Administrator, Certified ISR Instructor
After searching tirelessly for swim lessons for my two children, I reached out to Kristina, who went out of her way to ensure my kids got lessons. Within 6 weeks, they transformed into aquatic problem solvers! After the impact our initial session had on my kids, I was hooked on ISR and knew that I wanted to be a part of this organization that is helping to change the statistics around childhood drowning.
I grew up in Morgan Hill (go Acorns!) until I moved to Southern California to attend the University of California, Irvine. I got married, had two beautiful children, and moved back to Morgan Hill in 2021. I quit my job as an operating room nurse to stay home with my kids. I love being with them, but I missed some of the elements of working. That's when I started my journey with Kourtney’s Kause late in 2022, I became certified. After experiencing what Kourtney’s Kause provides for families and young children, I am so excited to be able to help bring these life-saving skills to your homes as well.
More about me: When I am not working for Kourtney’s Kause, I love exploring the Bay Area with my family, traveling, and trying new recipes. I am also a fan of brunch, the local wineries, and happy hour!
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Catherine Reich | Director of Operations, Certified ISR Instructor
When I was 9, my younger sister had a non-fatal drowning accident, which prompted my initial awareness of water safety. I became involved with Kourtney’s Kause through my friendship with Kristina and by designing the logo. The more I learned about Kourtney’s Kause, I came to realize my desire to do more in the drowning prevention sector. Kristina and I were certified together as instructors in October 2020. I’m thrilled that I get to be part of our organization.
More about me: I’m a California native, me and my husband moved to the South Bay Area in 2018 and welcomed our daughter to the world in May 2020, we have a son who was born in 2023, and we love living in this area. When I’m not teaching, I work as a visual designer and spend time with my family.
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Valerie Wass | Social Media Manager, Certified ISR Instructor
I was introduced to ISR and Kourtney’s Kause through my sister Catherine. After meeting Kristina, hearing her story, and witnessing the impact Kourtney’s Kause has, I decided to join the mission of ending childhood drowning. I am a California native from a large family, and I've always been around kids though I have no kids of my own, my nieces and nephews are my world. After college, I lived in North Carolina and became passionate about the importance of child advocacy.
More about me: I’m new(ish) to the South Bay Area, but I love being here. I’m newly married, to my high school best friend. I really look forward to establishing roots here and becoming involved in the community. I’m especially excited to educate your children and teach them life-saving skills.
Board of Directors
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Kavita Ramani | President
Kavita, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, specializes in developmental trauma, couples therapy, family therapy, and traumatic birth. A mother of two, she's dedicated to fostering social-emotional learning. Currently serving as Vice President at Morgan Hill Parent-Child Nursery School, Kavita passionately contributes to social and civic causes. Born shortly after her sister's drowning, she values water safety deeply. A former nonprofit founder, Kavita is also a dog guardian to Piper and Berkeley.
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Gaylynne Sword | Vice President
Gaylynne, a Certified Master Instructor with Infant Swimming Resource since 2009, has taught hundreds of children the life-saving Self-Rescue™ technique in Sonoma County. As a Master Instructor since 2013, she trained 34 ISR instructors, including those at Kourtney’s Kause. Passionate about water safety, she educates families on making their children aquatic problem solvers. Outside the pool, she enjoys family time, her crazy dog Piper, and is a published author of inspirational fiction and memoirs. She is humbled and inspired by being part of the Kourtney’s Kause team.
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Kelly Langer | Treasurer
As the CFO of a $40M manufacturing company, Kelly is a key member of the executive team, driving profit growth and enhancing company valuation. With a background in finance and operations, he's led in various sectors, including hospitality, entertainment, and manufacturing. Kelly's involvement with Kourtney’s Kause is driven by his family's connection, his wife being one of our instructors. He enjoys assisting Kourtney’s Kause financially in a way that can help this organization grow to reach as many families as possible to help keep children in our community safe.
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Cindy Wargocki | Secretary
Cindy is a math educator who was born and raised in Indiana. After fifteen years in Colorado, in 2015, her husband accepted a job in Morgan Hill and they moved with their three children. Cindy was a competitive swimmer through her freshman year of college and grew up with summers spent at lakes and pools. At her mother's insistence, water safety was always an important component of these experiences. Cindy’s passion for Kourtney’s Kause comes from a desire to support families, so those who have experienced loss from drowning know they are not alone and that together we can educate others to prevent future drownings.
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Julee Martinez | Community Education
Julee is a seasoned school teacher who was born in San Jose, CA but grew up in Redding, CA. Julee moved back to the Bay Area in 2003 for a teaching job. That was when she met her husband, Elias, and in 2008 they were married. They have 3 children, Emmalee, Jennalee, and Elisha. Because of Julee’s educational background, she understands the importance of educating parents and children about water safety.
Swim Scholarships
This scholarship recipient was involved in a nonfatal drowning in the summer of 2022. She was pulled out of the water at a community pool and resuscitated by Kristina, our founder, who happened to be walking by at the time the lifeguards’ whistles were blown.
Relieved that she survived and that she had not sustained any long-term injuries, Kristina reached out to the family to offer her a session of survival swim lessons. They were so grateful and proceeded to sign her up for lessons the following week! Through our scholarship program, we were able to provide the entire session to her free of charge. In just six weeks, she was able to learn not only what to do if she were to fall in the pool, but also how to swim across the entire pool on her own. We are incredibly proud of her progress!!
Just look at her sweet smile while she floats confidently!
Instructor Training
“Less than a month after we were married in 2019, my husband and I found out that we were expecting our first child. Fast-forward nine months, and our beautiful daughter was born in May of 2020, just as everything was shutting down with COVID. I had quit my job so I could stay home with her, but with the shelter-in-place, my husband lost his second job.
Through the Kourtney’s Kause instructor training program, my certification was paid for and I was able to become an ISR instructor. I’m so thankful for Kourtney’s Kause and the opportunities that they have provided for me. I can honestly say there’s no way I would be where I am right now if it weren’t for Kourtney’s Kause!”
-Miss Cat
Catherine Reich discusses pool safety following the drowning of two children at a home daycare in San Jose.