WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly 400 children across the District will have the chance to learn a life-saving skill this summer — swimming — thanks to a major donation and a strong community partnership.
The Government Employees Health Association, Inc. (G.E.H.A.), a health benefits provider for federal employees, has donated $35,000 to the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington to support the organization’s “Learn How to Swim” program.
The initiative will give hundreds of children in the D.C. region access to free, daily swim lessons throughout the summer, along with essential swim gear such as towels, bags, and swim caps.
Promoting Safety, Health, and Confidence
“Learning to swim is crucial for children,” said Shira Krebs, Vice President of Product at G.E.H.A. “We’re providing a healthy activity that promotes generational health, confidence, and long-term safety.”
Krebs noted that D.C. is one of 15 cities nationwide participating in the Learn How to Swim initiative this summer, with nearly 5,000 kids expected to benefit by season’s end.
The program, though only two years old, is already making a significant impact by equipping children — especially those from underserved communities — with vital water safety skills.
Addressing a Life-Threatening Disparity
According to the Children’s Safety Network, around 900 children die from drowning each year in the U.S., with boys twice as likely to drown as girls. The risk increases significantly for Black and American Indian/Alaskan Native children, who are statistically more likely to lack access to swim instruction and pools.
That disparity is something the YMCA and G.E.H.A. are working to close through this program.
“Black and Brown kids are the most at-risk,” said David Rodriguez, District Executive Director for the Silver Spring YMCA. “They’re the ones that don’t always have access to swim lessons and often carry a fear of water, not because of choice, but because they’ve never had the opportunity to learn.”
Rodriguez emphasized that the YMCA was intentionally chosen for its ability to reach the largest number of students in the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area.
More Than Just Swim Lessons
While the program focuses on teaching water safety, it offers much more than practical skills. Organizers say the benefits go beyond the pool.
“This collaboration is not only about teaching kids to swim,” said Krebs. “It’s about encouraging a healthy lifestyle, building confidence, and helping them overcome fear. Where a child may have once been afraid of water, now they realize they can conquer that fear and actually have fun.”
The daily lessons at local YMCA branches are taught by certified instructors, and the full set of gear provided ensures that no child is turned away for lack of resources.
A Community Effort with Lifelong Benefits
The impact of this program will extend far beyond the summer. Studies have shown that swimming lessons reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children aged 1 to 4. By starting early and promoting consistent access to pools and instruction, programs like this one offer a lifeline to vulnerable children.
For G.E.H.A., the initiative aligns with its mission to promote wellness and prevent health risks in all communities, particularly among federal families and the communities they live in.
For the YMCA, it’s about continuing a long-standing commitment to equity in health and recreation.
“We want every child to feel safe, included, and empowered,” said Rodriguez. “These lessons are one small way we can help kids stay safe, build strength, and gain confidence — in and out of the water.”
As the summer heat sets in, hundreds of D.C. families can now rest a little easier, knowing their children are getting the tools they need to stay safe, healthy, and strong — thanks to a generous donation and a powerful local partnership.
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