The City of Boston has introduced a program aimed at improving water safety for young people. The Office of Human Services and Boston Centers for Youth & Families announced $314,118 in Swim Safe grants to offer free beginner swim lessons across the city. The program is part of a larger effort to expand access to aquatics programming and enhance water safety.
Mayor Michelle Wu recognized the efforts of the Office of Human Services and BCYF in a statement from the City of Boston. The funding offers free swim lessons for young people, and Boston families are invited to enroll, with over 2,500 youth anticipated to complete the programs. The grants, ranging from $2,200 to $100,000, are funded through the City of Boston FY26 Operating Budget and support aquatic learning opportunities for both Boston Public Schools students and the wider community.
Grant recipients include several organizations, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, which operates four locations, and the YMCA of Greater Boston, with nine locations. New grantees this year include school-based programs, including the Ohrenberger School in West Roxbury and Blackstone Elementary School in the South End. The grants will provide free swim lessons during the school year, increasing access to aquatic programs for youth citywide.
Jose F. Massó, Chief of Human Services, outlined the goals of the initiative, stating that the Swim Safe grants are designed to provide children with access to swim instruction. The program includes a variety of grantees to increase the number of providers and expand opportunities for youth to learn to swim. The initiative sets a budget cap of $200 per child to focus funding on swim instruction.
Stephanie Lorfils, Program Director of the Salvation Army Boston Kroc Center and a grant recipient, noted the role of swim education in promoting water safety. She stated that the partnership helps provide children in the community with access to swim instruction. By the end of the grant cycle, more than 2,500 children are expected to develop skills in water safety.
