News Summary
The YMCA of Central Florida is launching a free swimming lesson program this summer for children experiencing homelessness. This initiative, part of the YMCA’s ongoing water safety efforts, aims to provide essential swimming skills and promote water safety awareness. The program, running for eight weeks at the Downtown Orlando YMCA, seeks to foster social connections and healthy lifestyles among disadvantaged children. Additionally, the YMCA is enhancing health accessibility through a partnership with a telehealth service, allowing members to utilize health savings funds more effectively.
Orlando, Florida – The YMCA of Central Florida has announced that it will be offering free swimming lessons this summer for children who are experiencing homelessness. This initiative aims to broaden access to water safety education, ensuring that all children, regardless of their circumstances, have the opportunity to learn vital swimming skills.
This year marks the fourth iteration of the YMCA’s water safety program, which includes an eight-week class held on Monday mornings at the Downtown Orlando YMCA Family Center. The curriculum is designed to teach children essential swimming techniques and to promote water safety awareness.
Kevin Bolding, the CEO of the YMCA of Central Florida, has emphasized the significance of water safety education. The organization is committed to fostering friendships and encouraging physical activity among children through these lessons, creating an inclusive environment that supports social connections and healthy lifestyles.
In addition to the swimming program, the YMCA of Central Florida is taking significant steps to enhance health accessibility for its members. The organization recently partnered with a telehealth service called Dr. B, which will enable members to utilize pre-tax dollars from health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible savings accounts (FSAs) to cover YMCA membership and personal training fees.
This partnership is designed to simplify the process of obtaining a medical necessity letter, which is crucial for reimbursement of fitness-related expenses. Dr. B offers members an online consultation for this letter at a nominal cost of $15. The letter remains valid for 12 months, giving members the flexibility to access their funds for health-related services without requiring an appointment.
Through this collaboration, the YMCA aims to remove barriers to access for preventative health care services. Although members are encouraged to take advantage of Dr. B’s convenient option for a medical necessity letter, there is no obligation to do so. This initiative complements the YMCA’s mission to improve the overall health and well-being of its community members.
Founded on the principles of fostering community engagement and support, the YMCA of Central Florida strives to empower individuals through various programs that promote health, education, and inclusion. The organization’s initiatives not only aim to teach essential skills, such as swimming, but also to provide tools that assist in the management of health and wellness challenges.
In a similar vein, The Community Paper, which has been serving Central Florida for 36 years, continues to spotlight local stories and individual contributions that make a significant difference in the community. With distribution extending to over 500 locations across Central Florida, including prominent areas like Winter Park and Dr. Phillips, the publication focuses on engaging readers and inviting them to share their tips or story ideas through its contact page.
The Community Paper remains committed to its mission of uniting the Orlando community through storytelling and is set to introduce new features aimed at enhancing reader engagement. The organization expresses gratitude to its community for its ongoing support, further emphasizing the value of collective participation in local narratives.
In summary, the YMCA of Central Florida is not only expanding its water safety program for vulnerable children this summer but is also addressing health accessibility barriers through innovative partnerships. These efforts highlight the organization’s dedication to fostering a healthier, more inclusive community for all.
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HERE Resources
Florida Initiative Aims to Prevent Child Drownings
YMCA Offers Free Swimming Lessons for Homeless Children
Orlando Offers Free Swim Safety Lessons to Homeless Children
Additional Resources
- Your Community Paper: Local YMCA Offers Free Swimming Lessons for Homeless Children
- Google Search: YMCA Orlando
- Your Community Paper: YMCA of Central Florida Expands Affordable Health and Fitness Access
- Wikipedia: Health and Fitness
- Your Community Paper: Second Harvest Food Bank Hosts Fundraiser
- Google News: Second Harvest Food Bank Orlando
- Click Orlando: Competition to Collaboration: Central Florida News Outlets Join Forces on Homelessness Crisis
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homelessness
- Your Community Paper: Two Central Florida Restaurants Named James Beard Award Finalists
- Google Scholar: James Beard Award
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
