The YMCA is a starting line for individuals to become their best selves. For men and women seeking to improve their fitness, for children experiencing their first goal in soccer or first friend at camp, membership at the Y is a place to belong and grow. Our commitment is to make the Y experience accessible to all.
We believe every child deserves the chance to learn how to swim,— no matter their zip code, background, or family income. But for too many families in our community, swim lessons and access to safe water recreation remain out of reach.
87% of drowning fatalities for children under 5 happen in home pools or hot tubs. 4,000 people die from unintentional drowning every year in the United States.
The Y’s goal is to eliminate drowning by teaching water safety skills through swim lessons and free Safety Around Water programs.
Because of generous supporters and donors, in 2024 we had:
- 560 kids in School Safety Around Water programming.
- 3,267 individuals given discounted lessons at 10 of our YMCAs.
- 777 kids at 4 YMCAs served through swim outreach programming targeting at risk communities.
- 1,210 kids in Go for Green, a program currently offered at 14 YMCA Day Camps which provides lessons to campers who haven’t passed their swim test.
- 21 individuals in our adaptive swim programs.
- 5,835 total individuals that are safer around water because of the generosity of donors supporting our Safety Around Water program.
With your support, we can continue to provide opportunities for kids to have safe, nurturing spaces, working parents reliable childcare options, and life-changing community programs. Regardless of the challenges the future may present, we firmly believe that resilient communities can overcome them collectively.