Free Swim Lessons for Kids in Need

Woonsocket, Pawtucket YMCAs offer free swim lessons for kids in need


by DANIELLE KENNEDY, NBC 10 NEWS

Friday, May 25th 2018


With beach season in full swing, YMCA is making sure children know to swim this summer even if they can't afford to pay. (WJAR)WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WJAR) — With beach season in full swing, YMCA is making sure children know to swim this summer even if they can't afford to pay.


The Woonsocket and Pawtucket YMCA's are working to prevent drownings with the “Swim for Life” program, which is funded by grants and offers free swims lessons to kids who don’t have access.

"We're teaching these kids basic swim strokes and how to be safe in and around the water,” Ed Rotella, who is an Aquatics Director at the Woonsocket location.


Madison Stewart is one of 100 children who participated.

“Swim is kind of my favorite thing,” she told NBC 10 News. “I learned how to swim and now I'm a deep-ender. I think it's fun for me and it’s fun for friends."

The Centers for Disease Control reported that fatal drownings are the second-leading cause of death for children ages one to 14.

"We want them to have fun in the water, but we want them to respect it,” Rotella said. "If they go to a beach, (we teach them) how to identify the lifeguard, how to properly put on a flotation device, how not to go in and out of the water next to parents. That's very important."

Kristin Quinn, who also works at the Woonsocket YMCA, shared similar sentiments.

"It's also going to educate the families on how to be safe around the water,” she said.

It’s a lesson Rotella said parents need to hear.

"Always watch the kids, stay off the phone,” Rotella said. “Make sure your kids can identify the lifeguards and staff who they help them, in case it gets busy and they get separated."

Roughly 70 scholarships are available to children in Pawtucket and Woonsocket.