On Friday, May 30, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) welcomed elected officials, community partners, and local supporters to the West Chester Area YMCA for a special Safety Around Water (SAW) Impact Tour, held in recognition of National Water Safety Month.
The event highlighted YGBW’s long-standing commitment to water safety and drowning prevention, with a focus on expanding access to lifesaving swim education for all children, regardless of background or financial ability.
Leslie Seifert, Senior Director of Aquatics, opened the program by offering a detailed overview of the Safety Around Water initiative, which currently serves second graders from schools like Starkweather Elementary.
“Water doesn’t discriminate,” Seifert shared. “Even Olympic pools have lifeguards. Every child deserves to feel confident and safe around water.”
Following the presentation, guests were invited to observe four interactive pool stations demonstrating core lessons from the program:
- Safe Jumping & Diving (with a focus on how to enter water safely);
- Life Jackets (with a focus on the proper use of Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices);
- Treading and Floating (with a focus on key survival skills when swimming becomes difficult); and
- Reach or Throw, Don’t Go (with a focus on safe techniques for assisting someone in water distress).
State Representative Chrissy Houlahan, a longtime supporter of the YMCA, shared her thoughts on the program:
“I am so pleased that kids can learn about water safety and how to swim thanks to the YMCA’s program. My own children learned to swim at a Y in our district, and their confidence in the water helped to keep them safe as young swimmers. I applaud the YMCA’s commitment to prevent accidental drownings and give all children the opportunity to enjoy water activities safely through this program.”
The tour provided attendees with a firsthand look at how the Y identifies young students without basic swim skills and works with school districts to offer free lessons that build water confidence and save lives.
Senator John Kane also offered his full support of the program, stating:
“The YMCA’s water safety program isn’t just teaching skills — it’s saving lives. Watching these dedicated instructors work with our children was powerful. They’re teaching our community’s youngest swimmers while building their confidence and ensuring they know how to stay safe around water. I’m proud to support the YMCA’s commitment to making these essential lessons available to every child in our community. Water safety is for everyone, and this program is truly saving lives in our community.”
The Safety Around Water program is free of charge and is made possible through the support of generous donors and local partners. With their help, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine is working to ensure that every child has the chance to become a safe, confident swimmer. Donate to support water safety here.
Learn more at YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW), an association of nine YMCAs and Program Centers serving Chester County. YGBW is a leading non-profit organization committed to building a community that strives to nurture the potential of every child, promote healthy living, and foster social responsibility through life-changing programs for all. YGBW raises funds to provide financial assistance to those unable to pay the standard rates. In 2024, $2.6 million was provided to more than 11,000 individuals to ensure they had access to childcare, summer camp, programs, and memberships at YGBW. Nearly 87,000 people are members of YGBW.
