TOMS RIVER, NJ (August 26, 2025) – As summer draws to a close, the Ocean County YMCA (the Y) is celebrating a season of lifesaving success with more than 200 local children gaining vital water safety skills thanks to support from community partners.
The Y’s Summer Safety Splash initiative made a big impact, strengthened by collaborations with Toms River Township Recreation, Ocean County Parks and Recreation, South Toms River Recreation’s summer camp, and RWJ Barnabas Community Medical Center Foundation (the Foundation).
“The ability to seamlessly partner with other organizations in our community is invaluable, as it allows us to expand our reach,” said the Y’s Executive Director Gretchen Insole. “Water safety isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. The Summer Safety Splash initiative is just one example of how we can help more children in Toms River improve their health and wellbeing while staying safe.”
The New Jersey State Department of Health reports that one in five drowning deaths in the Garden State involve children age 14 and under. Insole noted that the Y’s water safety initiative included multiple programs offered at several locations across Toms River.
In partnership with Toms River Township Recreation, Splash Safe – Safety Around Water programs were held at the Toms River municipal pool at Snug Harbor. Certified instructors equipped local youth with critical skills to reduce the risk of drowning and to build their confidence in and around the water.
Ocean County Parks and Recreation partnered with the Y to offer affordable introductory swim lessons. The program will run year-round, reflecting the Y’s shared commitment to keeping water safety top of mind in the community.
Through the generosity of the Foundation at RWJ Barnabas, 50 children and their families were able to participate in the Y’s ASAP-Adaptive Swimming Aquatics Program. This eight-lesson program provides comprehensive water safety and awareness skills and drills to children and families impacted by autism.
Children with autism spectrum disorder are 160 times more likely to drown than the general pediatric population, according to the National Autism Association, making aquatic independence and safety vital for this segment of the youth population.
The Y also welcomed South Toms River Recreation’s summer camp to its pool for the third summer in a row. For many campers, this three-week timeframe was the only time they had access to a pool during the summer months. In a short period, many progressed from shallow-end swimmers to jumping off diving blocks and swimming the full length of the 25-yard pool.
YMCA Aquatics Director Jaclyn Wyzykowski commented on how fulfilling it is to see the impact these programs have on the lives of local children. “We are beyond proud of all the kids who have participated in our water safety programs this summer,” Wyzykowski said. “But it’s not just about safety. It’s also about confidence and self-esteem. One of our 7-year-old swimmers started the first day fearfully crying and repeatedly saying he wanted to quit. Now he can swim a full 25 yards across the pool without any support from instructors or back flotation. He also loves going under the water and down the slide at the pool. These are skills he will have with him for life.”
Feedback from parents further spoke to the success of the programs. Desirée Lovoi, mother of 5-year-old Benito, said she felt “lucky” that her son learned to swim this summer. “Living so close to the water, we wanted our son Benni to learn the proper swim techniques and safety since we are constantly around water all summer.”
Melissa Benwitt, mother of 5-year-old twins Violet and Addison, expressed a similar sentiment. “They are now so confident in the water.”
The Y’s Summer Safety Splash initiative is just one of many programs designed to nurture the potential of every child, building confidence, skills, and healthy habits that last a lifetime. To learn more about year-round aquatics and other youth development programs visit https://ocymca.org/.