The NY SWIMS initiative has expanded to YMCAs across the state, including the YMCA Buffalo Niagara.
In partnership with the state Department of Health, the state YMCA Foundation Inc. and the State University of New York (SUNY), the program expands access to free learn-to-swim lessons for children ages 0 to 12.
Contact the Lockport YMCA at 716-434-8887 to learn about eligibility requirements and lesson start dates.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn how to swim,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “By expanding NY SWIMS through a partnership with the State Health Department, SUNY and the YMCA, we are delivering more affordable ways for all families to stay safe while enjoying summer — one swim lesson at a time.”
The expansion builds on Hochul’s NY SWIMS initiative, launched in 2024 to make swimming lessons more accessible and improve water safety across New York.
“Learning to swim is more than a recreational activity — it is a lifesaving skill,” Alliance of New York State YMCAs Executive Director Kyle Stewart said. “No child should be denied the opportunity to learn this essential skill because of cost, and this investment will help make our communities safer and stronger for years to come.”