Area YMCAs offering free swimming lessons

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By Jessica Simms Record-Journal staff

Through $1.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding administered by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 14 Connecticut YMCA sites are offering free swimming lessonsto qualifying children.

The free lessons are offered to children 17 and under who are “living in Qualified Census Tracts and/or receiving SNAP benefits, or recommended to the program, are eligible to register for the free swimming lessons at participating YMCAs,” according to a statement announcing the program.

Locally, the SouthingtonCheshire YMCA, the Wallingford Family YMCAand the Meriden YMCAare among the 14 participating Ys. Swim lessons are “ something that they wouldn’t have been able to afford and they really are happy the children are going to have some knowledge of swimming and they feel safer because that is a huge fear that they are going to go swimming and they don’t know how to swim and the potential for drowning,” said Cathy Lewis, aquatics director at the Meriden YMCA.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death for children between 1 and 4. For children 5 to 14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death. Lewis said through swim lessons, kids not only learn the skill of swimming, but also water safety. “I’m hoping that (swim lessons) bring them to the water to learn, rather than being afraid of it, to learn how to protect themselves, to prevent drowning for themselves and their family members,” Lewis said. “If we give them the skill set to know what to do when they are in trouble, but also to know how to help somebody else that’s in trouble without endangering

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Energize CT

The Energize Connecticut Community Partnership Initiative is accepting applications for its second round of funding supporting energy efficiency outreach in Connecticut communities. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 3. The Community Partnership Initiative assists communitybased and nonprofit organizations in their efforts to raise awareness and educate residents about Energize Connecticut’s energy efficiency programs. Visit energizect.com.

Mentoring

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut is an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the 119-year-old national youth mentoring organization. Based in Hartford, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut offers life-changing programs to at- risk children in all of the state’s 169 municipalities. Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters by visiting ctbigs.org.

Ballpark jobs

The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, will hold its annual job fair at Dunkin’ Donuts Park, 1214 Main St., Hartford, Saturday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Yard Goats are seeking applicants to fill a wide range of game day positions and are looking for upbeat, fan-friendly individuals to help make the upcoming season a success.

Crisis prep

Masonicare will host the program “Planning Before a Crisis” Wednesday, March 15, 3 to 4 p.m., in the Knapp Auditorium at Masonicare at Ashlar Village, 74 Cheshire Road, Wallingford.

Attorney Steven L. Rubin will discuss the legal aspects of having a plan for your future care vs. making decisions at the time of a health crisis. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP by calling 203-679-6460.

Wellness expo

Exhibitors and speakers are sought for the 10th Bi-Annual Passport to Health & Wellness Expo, which will be held April 23 at The Bristol DoubleTree by Hilton. Also, vendors are sought for expos taking place May 21 and Sept. 17 at the VFW in Plainville. Contact Shirley Bloethe at 860-989-0033 or yourholisticevents@ gmail.com, or visit yourholisticevents.com.

Alert system

Residents can register to receive emergency notifications from the town. Examples in- clude evacuation notices, bioterrorism alerts, boil water notices and missing child reports. Visit cheshirect.org to register.

Land trust

The Cheshire Land Trust is an all-volunteer, private 501(c) 3 non-profit organization committed to conservation. The land trust is not affiliated with the Town of Cheshire and does not receive taxpayer money. The organization is wholly funded by members. For more information, email CheshireLandTrust@gmail.com.