Everyone Should be Able to Swim

• Original Idea Voted on by New Yorkers: A swimming class focused on youth in public housing. It would include lifeguard training to help get employment in the water safety field.

• Implementing Organization: Scan Harbor

• Neighborhoods: East Harlem

• Funding Amount: $165,000

The responses below are directly from the community organizations selected to implement The People’s Money projects.

How does your organization plan to bring this idea to life?

SCAN-Harbor will implement the “Everyone Should Be Able to Swim” initiative by providing free swimming lessons and water safety education to youth and families in underserved communities across New York City. The program will be held at local community pools and recreation centers, with certified instructors delivering structured lessons in small group settings to ensure personalized attention and skill-building.

In addition to in-pool instruction, participants will receive educational materials on water safety and health, and opportunities for continued practice through open swim sessions and workshops. The program will also partner with local schools and community organizations to identify participants, promote access, and provide ongoing support to ensure sustained engagement. Through this approach, SCAN-Harbor aims to equip participants with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to be safe in and around water, while fostering community wellness and inclusion.

What motivated your organization to apply to implement this idea?

SCAN-Harbor was motivated to apply for this project because we see firsthand how limited access to swimming education and water safety disproportionately impacts youth and families in underserved communities. Far too many children in the populations we serve—particularly in NYCHA developments and low-income neighborhoods—lack the opportunity to learn this essential life skill, which can be both life-saving and empowering.

As one of New York City’s largest youth service organizations, SCAN-Harbor is uniquely positioned to implement this initiative. With deep community roots, trusted relationships across East Harlem, the South Bronx, and Central Harlem, and decades of experience in youth development and family support, we bring the infrastructure, partnerships, and expertise needed to ensure success. Our strength lies in our ability to meet families where they are, remove barriers to access, and provide culturally responsive programming that builds confidence, safety, and community well-being.

How do you think this project will make a difference in your community?

The “Everyone Should Be Able to Swim” project will make a meaningful difference by addressing a long-standing equity gap in access to swimming education and water safety for youth and families in underserved communities. Many children in the areas we serve have little to no access to pools or affordable lessons, leaving them at greater risk of water-related accidents and limiting their ability to participate in recreational and wellness activities.

This project is important because swimming is not only a life-saving skill but also a source of confidence, physical health, and inclusion. By providing free lessons and safety education, SCAN-Harbor will help reduce preventable drownings, empower youth with new skills, and create safer, healthier communities where every child—regardless of background—has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

List at least one thing you're excited about related to this project!

We’re most excited to see the moment when youth and families gain confidence in the water—especially those learning to swim for the first time. Watching participants overcome fear, build new skills, and take pride in their achievements will be deeply rewarding. We’re also looking forward to youth obtaining lifeguard certifications through this initiative, placing them on a pathway to employment and long-term career opportunities. This project will not only strengthen community bonds and promote safety, but also empower young people with valuable life skills that can shape their futures.

How can someone participate or stay up to date on the project?

People can learn more about the Everyone Should Be Able to Swim project through SCAN-Harbor’s NYCHA Center School-Based Programs, local community-based organizations (CBOs), and partner schools. We will also share information via our website, social media channels—including Instagram—and email newsletters to ensure families and community members have multiple ways to access details about the program, enrollment opportunities, and water safety resources. Outreach events and community meetings will further provide in-person opportunities to engage and ask questions about the initiative.

Website: https://www.scan-harbor.org/
Instagram: @scan_harbor
Facebook: @scan-harbor
LinkedIn: @scan-harbor
Twitter/X: @scan_harbor