Dear Community Partners,

As summer approaches, many families begin thinking about how their children will spend the months ahead. Safe, enriching summer activities help children grow stronger academically, socially, emotionally, and physically — and those benefits extend far beyond the season itself.


That is why we are proud to announce a new grant initiative in partnership with the YMCA focused on comprehensive water safety for children and families. This funding opportunity will provide lifesaving swimming lessons, water safety education, and lifeguard certification training. Teaching children how to be safe in and around water is especially critical here in Florida, where we are surrounded by bodies of water, be it pools, retention ponds, canals, or at the beach.
 
In addition, communities across the country have faced ongoing lifeguard shortages for years. By investing in lifeguard certifications, we are not only strengthening an important component in water safety, but also creating opportunities for leadership, workforce development, and community service.


Summer also presents another important challenge for children; the risk of “summer slide.” Without access to quality, structured activities during summer break, many students experience learning loss that can impact academic progress when they return to the classroom in the fall. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing funding for safe, enriching summer programming for children. Our dedicated funding for summer activities allow children to remain safe around water, prevent “summer slide” and ultimately create stronger communities, and brighter futures for the children and families of Hillsborough County.



Rebecca