What do you do if you or a friend find yourself in a dangerous situation in the water? The Dorchester Family YMCA taught twenty-one kids how to stay above and be safe in the water this past July and August.
When Dorchester Family YMCA Board Member Dr. MaryAnn Moore wanted the Y to reach out to kids who may not be able to afford swim lessons, a partnership was formed. The kids came from the New Beginnings program and were bused over once a week by the Y. Numerous volunteers, including some Cambridge City Police, taught the kids the skills they need in the water at the Y. The volunteers come from all walks of life but are united in their passion for aquatics and safety.
The Y has been involved in this type of class before. Every May the Y teaches third graders Water Safety. Barbara Wheatley, Aquatics Director of the Dorchester Y, said that the new program, Swim for Life, focuses on how to respond if a youth or a friend finds themselves in a position in the water where they are not safe. Also floating in the water, dog paddling and keeping their heads above the water are taught.
Barbara said her favorite part of teaching swimming is “watching the joy on someone’s face when they realize they can do something they once thought impossible. Conquering fear is great for self-esteem and is uplifting for all involved.” The Y hopes to extend the program and teach even more kids in the near future.
About the Y
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits and the largest Human Service organization on the Eastern Shore of Maryland; strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the Shore Ys engage over 35,000 members; men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the shore’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. In 2016, the YMCA of the Chesapeake provided over $1,226,000 in assistance to over 12,422 community members, turning no one away due to inability to pay. www.ymcachesapeake.org
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