The Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA was chosen as one of 69 youth programs from the USA Swimming Foundation’s nationwide network of swim lesson providers to receive grant money in early 2023. This grant will go toward the local Y’s continued efforts to provide free or reduced-cost swim lessons. The USA Swimming Foundation has awarded a total of $647,522 to programs across the country.

“We are very pleased to be chosen for this grant,” YMCA Senior Program director Jennifer Helm said. “The money we received will be put toward our goal of reducing the risk of youth drownings in our community.”

Specific programs that will benefit from the grant include the YMCA’s annual Safety Around Water and other local swim initiatives. Drowning is a leading cause of children’s deaths, but it is preventable through programs such as these.

Helm added, “Safety is very important in our region because water recreation provides fun and healthy activity for people of all ages.”

The USA Swimming Foundation vetted more than 340 applications through a competitive annual review process. Sixty-nine youth and 35 adult programs received funding.

“The USA Swimming Foundation is thrilled to provide funding to over one hundred swim lesson providers across twenty-nine states,” USA Swimming Foundation Senior Director of Development Elaine Calip said. “More than 14,000 children will now have the opportunity to learn the lifesaving skill of swimming. We owe a tremendous thank you to our partners and donors who continue to make a difference in our mission of Saving Lives, Building Champions and Impacting Communities.”

Millions of individuals have received the lifesaving gift of swim lessons through the USA Swimming Foundation’s network of swim lesson providers, which is comprised of more than 1,500 qualified lesson providers across the nation. To learn more, visit usaswimming.org/foundation. For details about the Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA, call 856-691-0030 or check ccaymca.org.