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Which YMCA swim lesson is right for your child? A parent’s guide to getting started

Posted on by Shonna Moon

Which YMCA swim lesson is right for your child? A parent's guide to getting started

Whether your child has never touched a pool or is already swimming laps, there’s a YMCA swim lesson built for exactly where they are right now. Here’s how our programs break down — and how to pick the right one.

Parent & Child (ages 6 months+): Your first introduction to the water together. Builds comfort, trust, and basic water safety awareness — all with a parent in the pool.

Preschool lessons (ages 3–5): Small groups, patient instructors, and age-appropriate skills. Children learn to blow bubbles, kick, and become comfortable submerging.

Youth levels (ages 6+): Progressive skill-building from beginner to advanced. Each level builds on the last, developing real strokes and water safety skills.

Adult lessons: It’s never too late to learn. Our adult classes offer a judgment-free environment for beginners and returning swimmers alike.

Monthly enrollment: Our ongoing monthly experience swim lessons let you register anytime and stay enrolled as long as you’d like.

Private lessons: For accelerated learning or children who need extra one-on-one attention.

REGISTER FOR SWIM LESSONS TODAY!

Summer Swim Lessons 

  • Available at our Sylvania YMCA/JCC outdoor pool – Register HERE
  • Perrysburg City Pool – Register HERE

Monthly Experience Swim Lessons – Register HERE

Phones Down, Eyes Up

Posted on by Shonna Moon

PHONES DOWN, EYES UP

Phones down, eyes up: why your attention is the most important water safety tool you have

You’ve packed the sunscreen and picked a spot near the pool. You’re doing everything right — until a text comes in. It takes just a few seconds to glance at your phone. And those seconds can change everything.

The Water Watcher role: Every time your family is near water, designate one adult as the Water Watcher. That person keeps eyes on the water — no phone, no conversations, no distractions — until they hand off to someone else. Rotate every 15–20 minutes so the Watcher stays sharp.

What Water Watchers do: Maintain constant visual contact with all children in or near the water. Keep a phone nearby for emergencies only. Stay at the water’s edge until relieved.

Take the pledge: Y-USA has launched the Phones Down, Eyes Up™ campaign. Take the pledge at ymca.org/phones-down-eyes-up and download a free phone lock screen as a daily reminder.

Share this post with every adult who will be near water with children this summer. It only takes one person paying attention to save a life.

Learn more about Phones Down, Eyes Up, Here

At the YMCA of Greater Toledo, water safety isn’t just a program — it’s a promise. Register your child or someone you know for swim lessons, HERE.

Be Water Ready – June is Water Safety Month

Posted on by Shonna Moon

BE WATER READY - JUNE IS WATER SAFETY MONTH

As summer begins, the YMCA of Greater Toledo recognizes Water Safety Month — a time to raise awareness and ensure every child and family in Northwest Ohio can enjoy the water safely.

Drowning is preventable — but understanding the facts is critical.  

 

WATER SAFETY TIPS 

Ask Before You Splash: Teach children to always ask permission before entering the water. Whether at a backyard pool or a community facility, this ensures supervision is in place.

Buddy Up or Dry Out: Never swim alone. From neighborhood pools to summer camps, always use the buddy system.

Phones Down; Eyes Up. Be a Water Watcher: Designate a Water Watcher—especially during group gatherings, swim meets, or pool parties. Active supervision saves lives.

Don’t Hold Your Breath: Breath-holding games can be dangerous and should always be avoided, even among strong swimmers.

Suit Up Like a Pro: Choose bright, high-visibility swimwear—especially important in lakes or crowded pools where visibility matters most.

Reach or Throw — Don’t Go: If someone is struggling in the water:

-Reach with a long object

-Throw a flotation device

-Do not enter the water yourself

 

At the YMCA of Greater Toledo, water safety isn’t just a program — it’s a promise. Register your child or someone you know for swim lessons, HERE.

Neighbors Make the Difference: Key Bank’s Volunteer Day at Francis Family YMCA

Posted on by Shonna Moon

Neighbors Make the Difference: Key Bank's Lambertville MI Branch Volunteer Day at Francis Family YMCA

There are corporate partners, and then there are neighbors. Key Bank Lambertville MI Branch is both.

The Key Bank team recently spent their Volunteer Day at the Francis Family YMCA in Lambertville — the very branch where our Workplace Wellness partnership with Key Bank was born. They came ready to work, armed with rakes, shovels, and an unmistakable can-do attitude, and they didn’t leave until the job was done.

Their mission: prep and clear our outdoor garden beds. By the time they wrapped up, those beds were looking ready for plants — a fresh start made possible entirely by the generosity of Key Bank’s staff.

A partnership rooted right here

Key Bank is a proud YMCA Workplace Wellness corporate partner, and their relationship with our Y started right here at the Francis Family branch. Through our corporate membership program, Key Bank employees enjoy access to YMCA facilities, fitness resources, and wellness programming — because a healthier team is a stronger team.

But on Volunteer Day, they reminded us that a great corporate partnership isn’t just transactional — it’s relational. They showed up as neighbors, worked as a team, and left our facility better than they found it. That’s the Y spirit, and we’re proud to share it with Key Bank.

Thank you, Key Bank!

To every Key Bank team member who gave their time, energy, and good humor on Volunteer Day: thank you. You live out your motto — “Neighbors Make The Difference” — and this community is better for it. We are grateful for your partnership and can’t wait to watch something beautiful grow in those garden beds.

Is your business ready to become a Workplace Wellness with the Y Corporate Partner?

The YMCA of Greater Toledo’s Workplace Wellness corporate partnership program connects local businesses with the resources to support a healthier, happier workforce — and deeper roots in the communities where you work.

  • Discounted Y memberships for your staff
  • Wellness programming & fitness resources
  • Volunteer & community impact opportunities
  • Employee recruitment & retention benefits
  • Access to all Greater Toledo Y branches
  • Co-branding & community visibility

Ready to bring Workplace Wellness to your team? Reach out to learn how a YMCA corporate partnership can work for your business.

Learn More, HERE

Wayman D. Palmer YMCA Receives Generous Community Donation

Posted on by Shonna Moon

Wayman D. Palmer YMCA Receives Generous Community Donation

The Wayman D. Palmer YMCA is honored to receive a generous $1,500 donation in support of the youth and families we serve throughout our community.

This meaningful contribution not only supports the continued growth of our programs and services, but also celebrates the enduring legacy of Wayman D. Palmer — a respected community leader, distinguished member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and member of the Alpha Xi Lambda Chapter in Toledo.

We are deeply grateful for this investment in our mission and the shared commitment to strengthening our community through leadership development, youth engagement, health, and family support.

Partnerships like these make it possible for the Wayman D. Palmer YMCA to continue creating opportunities that empower individuals and uplift families every day.

On behalf of our staff, members, and the many lives impacted through our work, we extend our sincere appreciation for this generous support and for helping us continue the legacy of service and community impact.

Toledo Donated Over 700 Swimsuits — and Changed Lives in the Process

Posted on by Shonna Moon

Toledo Donated Over 700 Swimsuits — and Changed Lives in the Process

Some things are hard to put into words. The moment a child kicks across the pool for the first time. The look on a parent’s face when their little one isn’t afraid of the water anymore. The quiet confidence that comes from knowing you can keep yourself safe.

That’s what your generosity made possible this April.

During our month-long Swimsuit Drive, the Greater Toledo community donated more than 700 new and gently used swimsuits for individuals and families in need. It’s a number that stopped us in our tracks — and reminded us, once again, why this community is something truly special.

Every Suit Tells a Story

At the Y, we believe that a healthy, confident life should be within reach for everyone — regardless of zip code or income. But for too many families in our community, something as simple as not having a swimsuit is enough to keep them away from the water. And when kids stay out of the water, they miss out on more than swimming. They miss out on the life-saving skill of water safety, the joy of splashing around with friends, and the self-assurance that comes from doing something hard and doing it well.

Your 700+ donations change that story.

What Happens Next

Every suit collected will go directly to individuals and families in our community who need it most. From infants to adults, every size donated means one more person who can walk through our doors and feel like they belong.

If you or someone you know could benefit, please reach out to your nearest YMCA of Greater Toledo branch — we’re here to help.

The Water Is Waiting

The swimsuit is just the beginning. Now it’s time to learn what to do in it.

Swim lessons at the YMCA of Greater Toledo are open for registration, and there’s a spot for everyone — whether your child is just getting comfortable on the steps or you’re an adult who’s always wanted to learn. Our certified instructors meet every swimmer where they are and build the skills, safety, and confidence that last a lifetime.

All ages. All skill levels. All are welcome.

👉 Register for Swim Lessons at ymcatoledo.org

Thank You, Toledo

This drive was never about the numbers — it was about the people behind them. Every person who dug through their closet, made a stop at the front desk, and thought I want to help made this possible. You are the Y. And together, we’re building a stronger, safer, more inclusive community — one swimsuit, one lesson, one lap at a time.

Wayman D. Palmer YMCA Receives National Community Development Award

Posted on by Shonna Moon

Wayman D. Palmer YMCA Receives National Community Development Award

The YMCA of Greater Toledo is proud to announce that the Wayman D. Palmer YMCA has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award from the National Community Development Association (NCDA). This prestigious national honor recognizes leadership and innovation in advancing community development.

A joint project between the City of Toledo and the YMCA of Greater Toledo, the Wayman D. Palmer YMCA stands as more than a building—it is a hub for health, connection, and opportunity in the Warren Sherman neighborhood.

Since reopening in March 2025, the YMCA has quickly become a center of neighborhood vitality. Membership has grown from 427 to more than 2,000 in less than nine months. Today, the facility serves over 600 seniors, supports families through a community food pantry serving approximately 300 households each month, and provides youth swim lessons, early childhood education with on-site pre-K classrooms, digital learning space, mental health services, and partner-led health screenings.

“This award affirms the YMCA’s role in strengthening neighborhoods through programs that support youth and seniors, promote healthy living, and create meaningful connections,” said Brad Toft, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Toledo.

The Audrey Nelson Award recognizes innovative and collaborative use of federal community development resources, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships funds. The Wayman D. Palmer YMCA will be formally recognized at the NCDA Winter/Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.

This national recognition underscores the YMCA’s commitment to ensuring all people—regardless of age or income—have access to the resources they need to thrive.

Read the full press release, click here.

Toledo Rotary Club Foundation Supports Wayman D. Palmer YMCA Food Pantry With Emergency Grant

Posted on by Shonna Moon

Toledo Rotary Club Foundation Supports Wayman D. Palmer YMCA Food Pantry With Emergency Grant

The YMCA of Greater Toledo is proud to share that the Wayman D. Palmer YMCA has received a $3,300 Emergency Grant from the Toledo Rotary Club Foundation. This generous support comes at a critical time, as many local families continue to feel the strain of food insecurity and federal funding interruptions brought on by the recent government shutdown.

The Toledo Rotary Club Foundation established the emergency grant fund to assist nonprofits directly addressing hunger in our region. Their commitment to strengthening community partnerships aligns closely with the work happening every week inside the Wayman D. Palmer YMCA food pantry—an essential program that often operates quietly but has a powerful impact on the families it serves.

“This grant will allow us to provide fresh protein for the families we serve for the next five months,” said Casey Holck, during the presentation. “Access to nutritious food is essential, and this support from Toledo Rotary comes at exactly the right time.”

We are deeply grateful to the Toledo Rotary Club Foundation for recognizing this need and responding with compassion and leadership.

Learn more about the Toledo Rotary, HERE.  

Raising Awareness During Diabetes Awareness Month

Posted on by Shonna Moon

Raising Awareness During Diabetes Awareness Month

Did you know that of the 98 million Americans who have prediabetes, more than 8 in 10 adults are not aware they have it? November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and the YMCA of Greater Toledo is encouraging local area residents to understand their risks for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and steps to take to prevent the disease.

First, we invite you to take the 60-second Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Diabetes Association’s risk test to find out if you’re at risk: https://diabetes.org/diabetes/risk-test .

Next, we are sharing a handful of lifestyle changes that contribute to weight loss and can decrease the risk for type 2:

Talk to Your Doctor

Use this moment as a reminder to talk to your health care provider about your diabetes risk factors. This is especially true if you have a family history or a higher BMI.

More Fruits and Veggies

Try incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your day! Eating a colorful array of healthy foods can have a huge impact on your overall health. There are some great fall recipes available including vegetables that are in season this time of year – get creative in the kitchen!

More Lean Proteins

Lifestyle changes – such as choosing healthy food options or altering food prep – can contribute to weight loss and decreases the risk for type 2 diabetes. Check out some healthy and delicious ways to prepare proteins at https://diabetes.org/ 

Grain Power

There’s power in grain! Aim for whole grains with every meal. A whole grain sandwich filled with fresh veggies and lean meat can be both filling and delicious.

150 Minutes of Movement

Small steps matter. Build up to 150 minutes of physical activity per week. You can start with a walk each day or check out our Y’s exciting group fitness class schedule. The key is to just keep moving!

Drink More Water

Lifestyle changes, like drinking water instead of drinks with added sugar, can contribute to weight loss and decreases the risk for type 2 diabetes. Carrying and refilling a reusable water bottle may be an easy way to keep thirst (and sugary beverage temptation!) at bay.

If you’re at risk of developing type 2 diabetes or know someone who is, there is something you can do about it. The YMCA of Greater Toledo offers the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program which helps participants achieve healthy eating, regular physical activity, and modest weight loss—all of which have been shown to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Learn more: https://toledo.recliquecore.com/chronic-disease-prevention-2/

Area Office on Aging, YMCA of Greater Toledo, and Chester J. Zablocki Senior Center Honored for Outstanding Community Partnership!

Posted on by Shonna Moon

Area Office on Aging, YMCA of Greater Toledo, and Chester J. Zablocki Senior Center Honored for Outstanding Community Partnership!

Toledo – The Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc., YMCA of Greater Toledo, and Chester J. Zablocki Senior Center were proudly recognized with the Outstanding Community Partnership Award at the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (O4A) Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

This award celebrates the collaboration between the three organizations to ensure that older adults from the Zablocki Senior Center could continue to thrive after their former facility became non-functional after 47 years of serving as a vital gathering place for older adults.

“Together, the Area Office on Aging, the Wayman Palmer YMCA, and the Zablocki Senior Center are more fully realizing our missions and the positive impact on the lives of Toledoans ages 60+”, said President/CEO of the Area Office on Aging, Justin Moor. “Together, we are putting the unity in our community.” 

Now, members benefit from a fresh, modern environment at the brand-new Wayman Palmer YMCA, just a mile from their original facility, where they can enjoy both traditional senior center offerings and expanded opportunities for wellness and recreation. In addition to transportation, health assessments, socialization, education, and nutritious meals, participants now have access to two swimming pools, a walking track, pickleball courts, fitness classes, and more. To make sure Zablocki participants would be able to enjoy all the available activities, they received assistance from the Area Office on Aging, Silver Sneakers, and YMCA to cover memberships.

Since moving to the new location, participation has flourished. The number of older adults taking part in the daily meal program has more than doubled, reflecting the growing sense of community and inclusion. One longtime member who was initially hesitant about the move shared with staff that his quality of life has “improved exponentially.”

Andrew Wyant, the director of the Zablocki Center, has seen that immediate and positive impact since moving to the Wayman Palmer YMCA.  “Active older adults have access to more programs and resources to help build a healthy mind, spirit, and body while increasing the health span along with the lifespan.  We are truly grateful for this partnership and how it has provided a space and resources for older active adults to flourish while building community in an intergenerational environment.”

The Area Office on Aging, YMCA of Greater Toledo, and Chester Zablocki Senior Center remain committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment where older adults can stay active, connected, and engaged for generations to come.