10/03/2026
Frankfort, KY — October 1, 2026 — Swim With Purpose, a charitable initiative dedicated to expanding access to swimming and water safety education, has partnered with the Telford Community Center YMCA to provide a grant that supports free swim lessons to 40 children and teens.
The two four-week sessions will serve participants across multiple swim levels and age ranges. The first session begins October 6, 2026, followed by a second session beginning November 17. Free spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Families interested in registering should call or visit the Telford Community Center YMCA.
The sessions will include foundational swimming skills along with practical water-safety practices to give children the skills, confidence and experience they need to make safer decisions around water.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury death among children ages 5–14. The CDC also reports that more than half of U.S. adults have never taken a swimming lesson, highlighting the importance of making swim education accessible to children and families.
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to learn how to swim and understand how to stay safer around water,” said Sam Taylor, Chairman and Co-Founder of Swim With Purpose. “What makes this partnership so meaningful is that we can take resources directly into a community and give people something they can use for the rest of their lives. We’re grateful to the Telford Community Center YMCA for helping us turn our mission into action and reach more families who may not otherwise have access to swim lessons.”
"Partnering with Swim With Purpose is truly an honor,” said Jamee Carper, President & CEO of the Telford Community Center YMCA. “We are grateful for the opportunity to help move this important mission forward right here in the heart of our own community. Thanks to Swim With Purpose, we are providing 40 children and teens with free swimming lessons at the Telford YMCA. We are proud to partner with an organization so deeply committed to serving Kentucky communities, and we are thankful to be part of something that makes such a difference in the lives of local families."
Expanding Access to Water Safety Education
Earlier this year, Swim With Purpose announced a new chapter in its original mission by dedicating approximately $400,000 in donor-raised funds to providing free swimming and water safety education throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Originally raised to support restoration of the indoor aquatic facility at Kentucky State University (KSU), the funds are now being invested in community-based programs that deliver immediate and lasting impact.
“We started Swim With Purpose because we believe access to swimming and water safety should not depend on where a child lives or what a family can afford,” Taylor said. “This is exactly the kind of partnership we envisioned; local organizations working together to give children practical skills that can protect them in and around the water.”
About Swim With Purpose
Swim With Purpose (SWP) is a charitable fund managed by the Blue Grass Community Foundation. Founded by AV industry executive and passionate swimmer Sam Taylor, and endorsed by Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps and the Michael Phelps Foundation. SWP is focused on providing free swim lessons and water safety programs for students across Kentucky. Through strategic partnerships and community-based programming, Swim With Purpose is helping create safer, healthier and more inclusive opportunities for swimming education.
