On Sunday June 2nd, Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc. (NOW) & the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center partnered for a free youth swim clinic. Just in time for the summer swim season, the clinic saw 22 children ages 6 through age 13 learning the proper techniques for swimming including breathing, swimming strokes, and water safety. YMCA Aquatic Director Susan Gada and staff provided all swimming skill stations for participants with NOW Programming Coordinator Lindsay Lussier and Wellness Leader Tayler Shea offering fitness and nutrition activities during the event. This is the first clinic the two organizations have hosted together to promote their shared missions of fitness, nutrition & wellness for area youth.

NOW Executive Director Sarah Wolfburg shared her excitement about the success of the swim clinic, “We were very excited to partner with the Hale YMCA for this event. Water safety is so important during the summer season and the children who attended were able to have a fun experience while learning new skills and engaging in a healthy activity.” The event has received positive reviews from children and parents alike. An exit survey conducted by NOW saw universal support for the clinic. Plans are already underway for another swim clinic for the fall and those who were unable to attend the June clinic are encouraged to check social media and websites for NOW & the Hale YMCA for more information as it becomes available.

The swim clinic is the sixth free event in 2019 that NOW has held in partnership with other youth-serving organizations. Other clinics offered in February, March, & April focused on sports & healthy activities including, baseball, running, soccer and yoga. To continue the series, NOW will host a youth football clinic in partnership with WPTP Junior Football League on Sunday, June 23rd at the NOW Field at Logee Park in Putnam. Like all NOW clinics, the football clinic will be free for participants, with ages 5 through 15 invited to attend. Registration is available online at www.nowinmotion.org.

Northeast Opportunities for Wellness is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of Quiet Corner children by ensuring each child’s access to wellness, including fitness, nutrition, and athletics. Serving the 10-town area of Northeast Connecticut, NOW partners with other local youth organizations to provide scholarships to children ages 3-14 who otherwise may not be able to afford such opportunities. For more information on NOW programs, including clinic schedules and scholarships, visit www.NOWinMoton.org. For more information on the Hale YMCA Youth and Family Center, including summer swim registration, visit www.ghymca.org/hale or contact the YMCA Aquatic Coordinator at Tarin.Mckinnon@ghymca.org.