"Announced on September 16, the initiative is backed by a catalytic grant from the Heckscher Foundation for Children and brings together the YMCA of Greater New York, the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, and the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation. The pilot program will serve more than 800 second graders during the 2025-26 school year. "Swimming is more than a recreational activity-it's a life-saving skill that builds confidence"
"The program will reach students from 11 public elementary schools in mid-to-north Staten Island. Over eight to 10 weeks, students will receive weekly 45-minute swim lessons during the school day, taught by certified aquatic educators using evidence-based curricula. The YMCA will host students at its Broadway branch. The JCC of Staten Island will provide lessons to local elementary school students."
A public-private pilot will deliver free swim instruction to more than 800 second graders from 11 Staten Island elementary schools during the 2025-26 school year. A catalytic grant from the Heckscher Foundation for Children funds the program and partners include the YMCA of Greater New York, the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, and the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation. Students will receive weekly 45-minute lessons over eight to ten weeks during the school day from certified aquatic educators using evidence-based curricula. The pilot will test shared tracking tools and a YMCA swim skills app, with expectations that 95% of participants will improve and over 80% of lowest-level students will advance.
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