• In partnership with the YMCA, Community Offshore Wind will make swimming lessons accessible to over 100 children from underserved communities throughout downstate New York.
• Teaching children to swim removes blockers for future careers in offshore wind.
• The partnership coincides with the UN’s World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25.

Swimming is not only a vital life skill, but important for future careers in offshore wind. This summer, Community Offshore Wind is partnering with the YMCA of Long Island and the YMCA of Greater New York to make swimming lessons accessible to children in need of financial assistance. Funding from Community Offshore Wind will help offset the cost of swim lessons for over 100 children across Long Island and New York City with lifesaving water safety skills through the YMCA.

Community Offshore Wind is a joint venture between RWE Renewables and National Grid that will develop offshore wind by 2030 in the New York Bight, the area between Long Island and New Jersey. Building a diverse, equitable workforce of the future is just one of the many ways they are working to benefit communities in the Northeast.

“We need to start building a workforce of the future today,” said Doug Perkins, President and Project Director of Community Offshore Wind. “We are helping to equip younger generations with the right skills and education, so they can access careers in offshore wind. The ability to swim, safely and confidently, is a seemingly obvious, but overlooked barrier to entry. Partnering with the YMCAs of Long Island and Greater New York will help provide the necessary building blocks for children to learn water safety. The future workforce rests on preparedness and we will do our part to create a more inclusive, equitable workforce of tomorrow.”

“Every child should have access to high-quality swim instruction,” said Sharon Greenberger, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York. “Thanks to the generous support of Community Offshore Wind, the YMCA of Greater New York will be able to provide dozens more families across New York City with financial assistance to make swim lessons more affordable. As a result of this partnership, their children will develop life-saving swim safety skills, reducing the risk of drowning and increasing their confidence and comfort in the water.”

Participating in formal swim lessons reduces the drowning risk for young children ages 1-4 by 88 percent. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children learn water safety and swimming skills to reduce their risk of drowning and water-related injury.

“One of the Y’s most critical priorities is ensuring our youngest Long Islanders are safe in and around the water. We are grateful for the support of Community Offshore Wind in helping to provide swim lessons to our Long Island families in need, so they can enjoy this lifelong sport and recreational activity,” said Anne N. Brigis, President & CEO, YMCA of Long Island. “The Y teaches children of all ages and backgrounds that water should be fun, not feared, and this practice not only saves lives, but builds confidence.”

Community Offshore Wind supports swimming safety and awareness, especially on the UN’s World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25. According to the World Health Organization, drowning is among the ten leading causes of death for children and youth aged 1-24 years. More than 90 percent of drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells and domestic water storage vessels in low- and middle-income countries, with children and adolescents in rural areas disproportionately affected.

Swim Lessons are available through Aug. 11 at the YMCA of Long Island branches located in Bay Shore, Glen Cove, Huntington and Patchogue. For more information, please visit ymcali.org.

In New York City, residents are encouraged to visit the YMCA of Greater New York website for details and locations on swim lessons and camps.

For more information visit www.CommunityOffshoreWind.com, YMCA of Greater New York or YMCA of Long Island.