In response to a troubling rise of youth drownings in Berkshire County, a coalition of local organizations and DLE underwriter Dulye & Co. has launched the Stop Youth Drowning: Safe Swim Berkshire Initiative, a pilot program designed to equip middle school students with essential water safety skills and life-saving knowledge.
Partnering with Dulye & Co. in this vital initiative are the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center and the Berkshire Family YMCA, along with critical support from Pittsfield Public Schools. The pilot will run April 21-25 during Spring Break.
A local student’s tragic drowning during a school trip last summer ignited action for a campaign. Deeply affected by the incident, Linda Dulye, president of Dulye & Co. and the DLE as well as an active philanthropist, sought out solutions. “I instantly felt the need to take action and approached the Y and Gladys Allen leadership with an idea to help our community’s youth build confidence and competence around water,” affirms Linda, who has dedicated her time and personal funds to developing the pilot program honoring the student’s memory.
“These are life-saving skills—and they also give young people the chance to grow as leaders and peer advocates for safety, inspiring others to shed fears and learn to swim.”
Jennifer Roccabruna, a local Physical Education teacher, has been instrumental in the program’s development, conducting personal outreach to recruit 22 participants and engaging their families’ support with ongoing communication. “We believe no child should lose their life due to a lack of access to water safety education,” states Jennifer.
A customized curriculum has been developed by aquatics professionals from the Y and Gladys Allen Center–Claire Langlois and Prashad Abeysinghe–to emphasize safety, skill-building, and youth development through one-on-one instruction. Dozens of local residents have volunteered their time to help students get comfortable standing in a pool and eventually take a stroke. “While we offer swim lessons year-round, we’ve found that teens often miss out on these critical opportunities. This program is about changing that,” Prashad notes.
The Stop Youth Drowning: Safe Swim Berkshire Initiative marks the beginning of a community-driven movement to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to learn life-saving water safety skills. Notes Linda, “The goal is to expand the program to reach more youth, remove barriers to access, and build a generation of confident, capable swimmers and safety advocates.”
ABOUT THE PARTNERS
Linda Dulye: Champions youth empowerment, leadership development, and community engagement in her extensive business, volunteer, civic, and philanthropic endeavors.
Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center: Offers inclusive, community-rooted programs in early childhood education, before and after school, Camp Stevenson-Witawentin, youth development, aquatics, and Girls Inc. of the Berkshires.
Berkshire Family YMCA: Strengthens communities through programs that promote youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility for individuals and families across Berkshire County.
Pittsfield Public Schools: Partners with community organizations to expand access to essential learning and development opportunities for students beyond the classroom.
See media coverage here and here.
