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Swim for Change Program

What is Swim for Change?
Our children and youth are learning to swim, training to be lifeguards, and competing on the Otters youth swim team, all because of the YWCA's Swim for Change Program. Many of these children are experiencing the joy of swimming for the first time. Many would not be able to afford these opportunities without the YWCA and Swim for Change.

Why Swim for Change?
Over the past five years, people of color have been nearly twice as likely to drown as white people living in Hennepin County (MN Department of Health). The YWCA of Minneapolis believes we can change this.

The Beginning
In 2007, a group of 15 YWCA swimmers swam across the English Channel and helped launch the Swim for Change program. Learn more about the YWCA Channel Challenge, these incredible swimmers, and their amazing journey.

    It was my greatest goal to learn how to swim. Now, every time I come to the YWCA, I'm excited to know I reached this goal in my life.
    YWCA participant, age 10

Help continue what 15 YWCA Channel swimmers started. Support the YWCA Swim for Change program by donating now!

Donate Now

1. Donation Amount:
2. Donor Recognition
Tell us how you would like your name or family to be listed in YWCA publications, such as our annual report. To be listed as Anonymous, please enter that here:
3. Special Instructions
Let us know if you are giving in memory or in honor of someone, if you would like your donation to support a specific program area, or if you are a member of the YWCA.


Note: Our online donations are collected and processed by PayPal®. For more information, please see our PayPal Information Page.

Help continue what 15 YWCA Channel swimmers started.

  • $1,500 provides a year-long scholarship and team suit for two youth on the YWCA Otters swim team
  • $500 makes summer swim lessons possible for Latino and Native American youth in the Strong Fast Fit Program
  • $185 enrolls one youth of color in a lifeguard training course
  • $45 provides swim lessons for one child at the YWCA