Project Play WNY Launches Initiative to Expand Access to Swim Instruction in the City of Buffalo

“Project Play Swim” funds free swim lessons at schools & community centers, and lifeguard training courses

Buffalo, N.Y.  – To help address the need for swim and water safety skills development, particularly in low-income and under-resourced communities, Project Play WNY recently launched its Project Play Swim initiative. Project Play Swim encompasses new funding and support for free swim lessons at Buffalo Public School #89, The Belle Center, and the Resource Council of WNY.

The initiative expands on existing Project Play WNY funding for swim lessons with the City Swim Project, the JCC of Greater Buffalo, and funding for the City of Buffalo lifeguard certification and training program offered by the Buffalo Police Athletic League.

“Project Play WNY aims to support programs that open access to sports for all youth. Swim is a lifelong sport all children should have the opportunity to learn, and with Project Play Swim, we convened local partners to explore ways to open access to swimming in some of our city’s historically disadvantaged communities,” said Aaron Hord, Director, Project Play WNY. “Programming supported by Project Play Swim will aim to help break down the barriers that prevent many individuals in our city from participating.”

Learn to Swim Programming with Buffalo Public Schools

A Learn to Swim pilot program, offered through YMCA Buffalo Niagara at Buffalo Public School #89 (Dr. Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence), will enable youth enrolled in after-school programming to take swim lessons. The lessons started in mid-December and will continue to be offered through March for children ages 5 to 13 who previously enrolled.

“Learning to swim is not only fun, but more importantly a lifesaving skill,” Buffalo Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Tonja Williams Knight said. “I am pleased Project Play WNY has partnered with YMCA Buffalo Niagara to offer the Learn to Swim program at the Dr. Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence, so that students can participate in after-school swim lessons and have access to a healthy activity that is also potentially lifesaving.”

Swim Programming at Community Centers

The Resource Council of WNY Learn to Swim program will offer students enrolled in its All STARS after-school program swim lessons twice a week. On Fridays, lessons will be open to community youth ages 5 to 12 from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. Interested families can call 716-783-8259.
“The Resource Council has the only indoor swimming facility located in the heart of the East Side of Buffalo, and we want to ensure that community youth have access to high-quality swim instruction to stop preventable drownings and provide water safety skills that will last a lifetime,” said Catherine Roberts, President and CEO of the Resource Council of WNY. “We’re very grateful to Project Play WNY for addressing the lack of quality swim education programs in Buffalo’s underserved communities. This is a real gamechanger for our kids.”

The Belle Center is also offering free swim lessons, in collaboration with Willie Hutch Jones Educational & Sports Programs, to youth enrolled in after-school care every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Lessons on Fridays are open to the public, for youth ages 5 to 12. Interested families should reach out to Tyler Boehm, Youth Director, or Nadia Feliciano, SACC Director, at (716) 845-0485 for more details.

Project Play WNY will also again help fund free lifeguard training and certification courses offered through the Buffalo Police Athletic League to strengthen the ranks of City of Buffalo lifeguards and help ensure city pools can remain open and fully staffed throughout the summer. This funding is part of a collective impact strategy led by Project Play WNY and supported by WNY sports organizations, community centers and others, to address the lifeguard shortage in the city of Buffalo.

Project Play WNY plans to continue expanding its funding for swim programming and engage additional partners throughout the region.

“We’re excited to continue building a collaborative system that expands swim instruction and programming and helps more youth learn how to swim, enables families to enjoy the sport together, and motivates more individuals to consider lifeguarding,” said Hord. “These efforts will ultimately support happier children, healthier families, and a stronger community.”

To learn more, please visit www.projectplaywny.org/swim/

 

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About Project Play WNY

Project Play Western New York is driven and funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s Youth Sports & Recreation focus area in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program. Project Play Western New York envisions a community in which all children have the opportunity to be active through sports. Every child—regardless of location, income or ability—should have access to fun and fulfilling physical activities that build confidence and set them on a path for lifelong success. For more information, visit www.projectplaywny.org.

 

About the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. Learn more at cfgb.org.

 

About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’s devotion to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his beloved Buffalo Bills NFL team. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson provided that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the Foundation that bears his name. Based in Detroit, the Foundation began with a grantmaking capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the Foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable, and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information visit www.rcwjrf.org.

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