JCC Swimming Receives 2022 Grant Funding From USA Swimming Foundation

Grant supports efforts to offer free or reduced-cost swim lessons 

Earlier this year, our aquatics program, JCC Swimming, receive a grant from USA Swimming Foundation to help us provide free and reduced-cost swim lessons to new program participants. The USA Swimming Foundation has awarded a total of $898,184 to programs across the country. The USA Swimming Foundation vetted more than 250 applications through a competitive annual review process and chose 102 youth and 40 adult programs to receive funding.  

 “We are thrilled to be chosen for this grant,” says Shawnise Crawford, the Assistant Aquatics Director at the JCC. “The money we receive will be put towards free beginner swim lessons for new youth, teen and adult participants the week of May 31-June 3, 2022” explains Ms. Crawford. “Due to the generosity of this grant, we can add something new this year. We will now be providing adults, ages 18+, swim lessons for only $50 per eight class sessions from June-August. We normally charge $180/session for guests.” These will be small group classes held at the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC campus where we have both indoor and outdoor pools.  

The JCC has been offering swim lessons since the late 1920’s at its Monument Street location in Baltimore City  Over the last few decades, it has built a robust swim school featuring American Red Cross swim lessons and certification programs for all levels and ages.  It also offers a highly regarded swim team program during the school year, as well as a summer swim program.  It has a well-established relationship with both USA Swimming and the American Red Cross Swimming & Water Safety Program. 

“It’s an incredible feeling to know that USA Swimming Foundation funding will be used to create a valuable swimming experience for thousands of people who may not have had the opportunity to learn how to swim,” Scott Usher, Director of Development for the USA Swimming Foundation said. “We are thrilled with the depth of this year’s swim lesson provider applicant pool, and we couldn’t be prouder to support these life-saving opportunities across the country. We owe a tremendous thank you to our partners and donors who continue to make a difference in our mission of saving lives and building champions.” 

Millions of children have received the lifesaving gift of swim lessons through the USA Swimming Foundation’s network of swim lesson providers, comprised of more than 1,500 qualified lesson providers across the nation. To learn more, visit www.usaswimming.org/foundation.  

For a full list of 2022 USA Swimming Foundation grant recipients or to donate to the Foundation, please visit Stepintoswim.org 

For more information on the JCC’s SWIM program visit www.www.jcc.org/free-swim-lessons.