City expanding access to free swimming lessons for students across New York City

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Elected officials are expected to expand access to a life-saving initiative that teaches kids to swim in New York City.

The Wave Makers Initiative aims to bring water safety instruction to children in under-served communities -- free of charge.

On Tuesday morning, City Council Speaker Julie Menin and other local leaders will announce $1.5 million in new funding in the Bronx.

According to the CDC, drowning is the second-leading cause of death in kids ages 5-14.

The program has already taught 6,000 public school second-graders across the five boroughs how to swim with more than 58,500 swim lessons.



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