Swim With Purpose, YMCA and Frankfort Parks Partner to Provide Free Swim Lessons and Water Safety Education to Community

Frankfort, KY — July 9, 2026 — Swim With Purpose, a charitable initiative dedicated to expanding access to lifelong swimming and water safety education, today announced it is partnering with the YMCA of Central Kentucky and The City of Frankfort Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Department to offer free swim lessons and water safety classes for up to 40 community members.

The five-day program will take place July 27–31 from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the Juniper Hill Aquatic Center. Participants of all ages and skill levels will receive instruction in essential water safety practices, including pool, boating and life jacket safety, while learning foundational swimming skills such as floating, kicking, bobbing and basic swimming strokes. To register, click here and scroll down to "Free Swim Lessons."

This marks the third collaboration between Swim With Purpose and the YMCA of Central Kentucky to expand access to water safety education. In September 2025 and March 2026, hundreds of students from the Frankfort Independent School District participated in water safety field trips at the North Lexington Family YMCA and High Street YMCA.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning remains one of the leading causes of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 5 to 14. Limited swimming ability, lack of water safety education and increased recreational exposure to water continue to be among the leading risk factors.

"It's summertime, which means families are spending more hours around pools, lakes and rivers," said Chairman and Co-Founder of Swim With Purpose Sam Taylor. "Knowing how to swim and understanding basic water safety can save lives. Our previous programs with the YMCA demonstrated the tremendous impact these lessons can have, and we're looking forward to offering this opportunity to even more families in Frankfort. We're especially thankful to Frankfort Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites for providing the Juniper Hill Aquatic Center so these classes can be offered free of charge."

"Water safety is one of our highest priorities," said Deputy Director of Frankfort Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Alex Cunningham. "Teaching people of every age and ability how to swim and how to stay safe around water is one of the most valuable investments we can make in our community. We're proud to partner with Swim With Purpose and the YMCA to make these life-saving skills accessible to more people in the community."

Vice President of Community Impact for the YMCA of Central Kentucky Jessica Berry agreed, "Every child and every family deserves the opportunity to learn how to swim in a safe, supportive environment. Together, we're helping build confidence in and around the water while equipping participants with skills they'll use for a lifetime."

Expanding Access to Water Safety Education

Last month, 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 Franklin County. 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.

Through partnerships with organizations including the YMCA of Central Kentucky and Frankfort Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites, Swim With Purpose is expanding access to swimming instruction, increasing water safety awareness and helping reduce the risk of drowning across the region.

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 was originally established to support the revitalization of the indoor pool at Kentucky State University for the benefit of students, faculty, and the broader community. Today, the organization is focused on providing free swim lessons and water safety programs for residents of Franklin County, as well as KSU students and faculty. Through strategic partnerships and community-based programming, Swim With Purpose is helping create safer, healthier and more inclusive opportunities for swimming education.