In a move aiming to bolster safety and teach a critical life skill, Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll have unveiled the Safe Water Initiative Massachusetts (SWIM) program, which seeks to provide free swimming lessons to state residents of all ages. As reported by Mass.gov, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, through the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), is setting aside $350,000 for the initiative, reaching out to both nonprofit and private entities for partnership.
"Every summer, DCR provides free swim lessons to more than a thousand children across the state, because we know that swimming is a critical life skill and funding shouldn't be an obstacle," Governor Healey remarked, according to Mass.gov. He added a clear commitment to broadening the scope of services, especially for underserved communities, a point reiterated by Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, who emphasized the importance of residents having safe and enjoyable experiences at state pools and waterfronts.
Groups that can deliver free beginner group swim lessons at non-DCR facilities are the target for this new round of partnerships, although all instructors will be required to hold a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification or its equivalent. The SWIM program is accepting applications on a rolling basis until June 30, 2025, with a focus on proposals that prioritize environmental justice communities, a move that Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper considers paramount as summers intensify due to climate change: "Ensuring people know how to swim as our summers get hotter and hotter is a matter of equity," as noted by Mass.gov.
Beyond the introduction of SWIM, DCR also offers free swimming lessons as part of its Learn to Swim program. Last summer, more than 1,000 young individuals benefited from these offerings at 14 different pools. With the current funding expansion, more residents in more locations across the state will have the opportunity to learn essential water safety skills. The commitment to safety extends to DCR’s maintenance of quality and secure environments at its waterfronts and pools, ensuring clean water, visual safety cues in multiple languages, and employing approximately 700 lifeguards each season to oversee beaches and pools.
Entities capable of meeting the RFR's necessities can submit their bid and any other essential documents through the online platform. More information on how to apply and participate in the SWIM program can be found on the official announcement page.
