- link Copy Url - [ Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Community Offshore Wind Offers Swim Lessons to Underserved Communities To Build Future Workforce https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/387681?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/387681?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/387681?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Community Offshore Wind Offers Swim Lessons to Underserved Communities To Build Future Workforce&body=ESG News from National Grid https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/387681?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Social Impact & Volunteering](/CSR-News/social-impact-volunteering) # Community Offshore Wind Offers Swim Lessons to Underserved Communities To Build Future Workforce Jul 25, 2022 12:15 PM ET ![kids swimming](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_2x/public/images/swimmers_NationalGrid_07252.jpg) NEW YORK, July 25, 2022 /3BL Media/ - Swimming is not only a vital life skill, but important for future careers in offshore wind. This summer, Community Offshore Wind is partnering with the YMCA of Long Island and the YMCA of Greater New York to make swimming lessons accessible to children in need of financial assistance. Funding from Community Offshore Wind will help offset the cost of swim lessons for over 100 children across Long Island and New York City with lifesaving water safety skills through the YMCA. Community Offshore Wind is a joint venture between RWE Renewables and National Grid that will develop offshore wind by 2030 in the New York Bight, the area between Long Island and New Jersey. Building a diverse, equitable workforce of the future is just one of the many ways they are working to benefit communities in the Northeast. “We need to start building a workforce of the future today,” said Doug Perkins, President and Project Director of Community Offshore Wind. “We are helping to equip younger generations with the right skills and education, so they can access careers in offshore wind. The ability to swim, safely and confidently, is a seemingly obvious, but overlooked barrier to entry. Partnering with the YMCAs of Long Island and Greater New York will help provide the necessary building blocks for children to learn water safety. The future workforce rests on preparedness and we will do our part to create a more inclusive, equitable workforce of tomorrow.” “Every child should have access to high-quality swim instruction,” said Sharon Greenberger, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York. “Thanks to the generous support of Community Offshore Wind, the YMCA of Greater New York will be able to provide dozens more families across New York City with financial assistance to make swim lessons more affordable. As a result of this partnership, their children will develop life-saving swim safety skills, reducing the risk of drowning and increasing their confidence and comfort in the water.” Participating in formal swim lessons reduces the drowning risk for young children ages 1-4 by 88 percent. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children learn water safety and swimming skills to reduce their risk of drowning and water-related injury. “One of the Y’s most critical priorities is ensuring our youngest Long Islanders are safe in and around the water. We are grateful for the support of Community Offshore Wind in helping to provide swim lessons to our Long Island families in need, so they can enjoy this lifelong sport and recreational activity,” said Anne N. Brigis, President & CEO, YMCA of Long Island. “The Y teaches children of all ages and backgrounds that water should be fun, not feared, and this practice not only saves lives, but builds confidence.” Community Offshore Wind supports swimming safety and awareness, especially on the UN’s World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25. According to the World Health Organization, drowning is among the ten leading causes of death for children and youth aged 1-24 years. More than 90 percent of drowning deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells and domestic water storage vessels in low- and middle-income countries, with children and adolescents in rural areas disproportionately affected. Swim Lessons are available through Aug. 11 at the YMCA of Long Island branches located in Bay Shore, Glen Cove, Huntington and Patchogue. For more information, please visit ymcali.org. In New York City, residents are encouraged to visit the [YMCA of Greater New York website](https://ymcanyc.org/programs/swimming-ymca) at ymcanyc.org/swim for details and locations on swim lessons and camps. For more information visit [www.CommunityOffshoreWind.com](http://www.CommunityOffshoreWind.com), [YMCA of Greater New York](https://ymcanyc.org/) or [YMCA of Long Island](https://ymcali.org/). **For further inquiries:** Community Offshore Wind Virginia Limmiatis Communications Manager M. +1-315-396-5334 E. VirginiaL@communityoffshorewind.com **Community Offshore Wind** *[Community Offshore Wind](https://communityoffshorewind.com/), a joint venture between [RWE](https://americas.rwe.com/) and [National Grid](https://www.nationalgrid.com/national-grid-ventures/what-we-do/competitive-transmission), will bring clean energy to the North-eastern US. They will develop offshore wind on the largest parcel in the New York Bight with the potential to host 3 gigawatts (GW) of capacity, which is enough to power over one million US homes and businesses. The project is expected to be in operation by the end of the decade. Community Offshore Wind is dedicated to investing in communities by bringing clean energy jobs to the region and growing the local economy. They will deliver sustainable energy safely, reliably, and efficiently to the communities they serve.* **About the YMCA of Long Island** *The YMCA of Long Island is a 501c3 nonprofit community-based service organization dedicated to improving the lives of children, teens, adults, and families through programs and services that nurture youth development, foster healthy living, and inspire social responsibility. Long Islanders learn to live their healthiest and fullest lives inside the YMCA’s located in Bay Shore, East Hampton, Glen Cove, Holtsville, Huntington, and Patchogue. For information and locations, visit* [*www.ymcali.org*](https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.ymcali.org/__;!!B3hxM_NYsQ!2TVizoJcDfrsUCNndH6JUFjY2ZKtkyTRKEYIf9XPtG5SvyK6OWEckmf31En7y3FhbskCaBPlwpJX78yXnRWfmSHs-cxvgRok$)*.* **About the YMCA of Greater New York** *For 170 years, the YMCA of Greater New York has been helping all New Yorkers reach their full potential. As New York City’s leading nonprofit community service and wellness organization, the Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by providing access and opportunities for all to learn, grow, and thrive. We provide a place to play, to be healthy, and to give back. We give parents childcare, young adults job training, seniors a way to connect, and children a safe place to go. By bringing people together from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, the Y improves overall health and well-being, ignites youth empowerment, and connects and supports diverse communities across New York City. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @ymcanyc.* [![National Grid logo](/sites/default/files/2024-07/National_Grid_Logo_.jpg)](/profiles/national-grid) ### More from National Grid ###### [National Grid and National Grid Foundation Add $1.4 Million to Heating Assistance Funds](/news/national-grid-and-national-grid-foundation-add-14-million-heating-assistance-funds) Feb 18, 2025 10:30 AM ET ###### [National Grid Appoints Steve Smith as Chief Strategy and Regulation Officer](/news/national-grid-appoints-steve-smith-chief-strategy-and-regulation-officer) Nov 20, 2024 11:55 AM ET ###### [National Grid Provides Charitable Donations To Aid Rebuilding in the Mohawk Valley Following Tornadoes](/news/national-grid-provides-charitable-donations-aid-rebuilding-mohawk-valley-following-tornadoes) Oct 9, 2024 3:00 PM ET ###### [National Grid Announces Sally Librera To Lead New York Business](/news/national-grid-announces-sally-librera-lead-new-york-business) Aug 1, 2024 3:45 PM ET ###### [Community Offshore Wind and Brooklyn Public Library Partner To Distribute 3,200 STEM-Focused Books to Brooklyn Families](/news/community-offshore-wind-and-brooklyn-public-library-partner-distribute-3200-stem-focused-books) Jul 5, 2024 8:15 AM ET ###### [National Grid Sponsoring New Small Biz Program](/news/national-grid-sponsoring-new-small-biz-program) Jul 3, 2024 4:00 PM ET ###### [National Grid Commits to Investing $35 Billion in New York & Massachusetts To Meet Decarbonization Goals and Build a Stronger, Cleaner Grid](/news/national-grid-commits-investing-35-billion-new-york-massachusetts-meet-decarbonization-goals) Jul 3, 2024 8:05 AM ET ###### [National Grid NY President Appointed to DOE Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation Inaugural Board of Directors](/news/national-grid-ny-president-appointed-doe-foundation-energy-security-and-innovation-inaugural) Jul 2, 2024 5:05 PM ET