Governor Hochul Expands Free Swim Lessons for Children Across New York
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced an expansion of the NY SWIMS initiative, which provides free learn-to-swim lessons for children aged 0 to 12. This initiative, in partnership with the New York State Department of Health, the YMCA, and the State University of New York (SUNY), aims to improve water safety and accessibility to swimming lessons across the state. The program, initially launched in 2024, has been expanded to include more locations and partnerships, ensuring that more families can benefit from free swimming education. The initiative addresses the critical need for water safety skills, especially in a state with numerous natural swimming areas.