Support Detroit Swims: Free Swim Lessons For Kids In Need

Did you know that drowning is a significant public health concern, especially among children from low-income families who often lack access to swimming lessons? According to a study conducted by USA Swimming and the University of Memphis, 79% of children in families with household incomes below $50,000 have little to no swimming ability, putting these children at significantly higher risk of drowning. Additionally, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that over 4,500 people drown every year in the United States, with children aged 1–4 facing the highest risk.

To tackle this urgent issue, the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit founded Detroit Swims in 2010. Detroit Swims provides free swim lessons to underprivileged children across Detroit, helping them develop crucial water safety and swimming skills. The program covers all necessary expenses for each child, including new swimwear, goggles, swim caps, transportation, pool maintenance, instructor costs, and all required swimming gear. Since the program's inception, more than 5,800 children have gained critical swimming skills, significantly improving their safety around water.

However, there is still so much work to do. Detroit Swims aims to reach 1,500 children every year—children who might not otherwise have access to life-saving swim lessons due to economic hardship, limited transportation, or lack of local pool facilities.

Your contribution today can directly save lives:

$50 Donation: Provides swim gear for one child.

$100 Donation: Covers the full cost for one child’s swimming lessons.

$500 Donation: Funds swim lessons for five children, teaching them valuable lifelong water skills.

$1,000 Donation: Provides transportation to swim lessons for 35 children for eight weeks.

$2,500 Donation: Funds an entire class of 24 children, giving them comprehensive swimming education and significantly reducing their risk of drowning.

Our initial fundraising goal is set at $2,800, which would fund swimming lessons for an entire class plus extra. But we hope to exceed this goal, maximizing the number of children we can support.

Our target date for making this lump-sum donation to Detroit Swims is May 7th, 2025. All donations will be transferred directly toward the Detroit Swims program. Every contribution, big or small, moves us closer to a future where every child in Detroit can safely enjoy the water.

Please consider making a donation today and sharing this campaign with your networks. Together, we can ensure water safety, confidence, and joy for Detroit’s children.

Thank you so much for your generosity and support!

About me: I’ve been a swimmer my whole life, starting in summer league as a kid and later swimming for four years at the University of Notre Dame. These days, I enjoy doing triathlons, work as an engineer, and being a swim coach in the Detroit area. I’m also a proud member of the Detroit Y, and I’m excited to support a cause that brings water safety and swim skills to kids in our community. Thanks for being part of it!