Rutgers University and Raritan Valley YMCA Join Forces for Healthy Families

August 23, 2012 | New Brunswick

Until recently, six year old Roberto had never dipped into a public pool or had any swim lessons.  However, Roberto and a number of other New Brunswick neighborhood children, along with their parents were able to participate in a six-week swim program this summer every Friday night.

Thanks to an agreement between the Raritan YMCA and Rutgers University Cook College, families from PRAB, Unity Square and Mae J. Strong Child Development Center were able to access the University’s pool to learn how to swim during off peak hours.  Partnership agreements like these help improve the health of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity, while maximizing resources.

 “When we work together as a community, we’re empowered to give our children and families more opportunities to be active, and that’s critical to preventing obesity,” said Gina Stravic, President of the Raritan YMCA and Co-director of New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-New Brunswick.  “This is the second year we have partnered with Rutgers for the use of their pool.”

 “The swim program provided a unique opportunity for our parents and children to be healthier,” according to David J. Harris, Executive Director of Mae J. Strong Childhood Development Center.  “Our families had so much fun that they wanted the program to be extended year round.”

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