BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Learning to swim is exceptionally important for South Florida residents, and now the YMCA of South Palm Beach County is receiving funding to help make that happen for residents who may find learning to swim a financial challenge. The Y shared this announcement with BocaNewsNow.com:
YMCA of South Palm Beach County’s Safety Around the Water Program was chosen as one of 124 youth programs from the USA Swimming Foundation’s nationwide network of swim lesson providers to receive grant money in 2024. The grant award will go toward the Safety Around the Water Program’s continued efforts to provide free or reduced-cost swim lessons. This year, the USA Swimming Foundation has awarded a total of $780,000 in its initial round of funding to programs across the country.
“I am thrilled we have the opportunity to serve 82 youth with life-saving swim lessons in Palm Beach County,” states Associate Director of Water Safety, Libby Moon. “Thank you to USA Swimming for helping make swim lessons a possibility to those with the greatest need in our community.”
The YMCA’s Safety Around Water program is offered year-round to qualified groups at no cost. Based on a foundation of “Safety First, Swim Second”, this program is geared for ages 3-17 and is offered at our YMCA branches or in pre-approved sites throughout Palm Beach County.
The USA Swimming Foundation vetted more than 400 applications through a competitive annual review process and chose 124 youth and 38 adult programs to receive funding.
“The USA Swimming Foundation is proud to continue providing Learn-to-Swim opportunities at the local level for both adults and youth,” said USA Swimming Foundation Executive Director Elaine Calip. “With the excitement surrounding U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming and the Olympic Games, we anticipate an increased interest in our sport. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with lesson providers nationwide to keep kids and adults safe in and around the water.”
For more information on the YMCA’s Safety Around the Water program, visit this page.
