YMCA of Metro Chicago Launches Second Year of Water Works
CHICAGO, July 14, 2025 — The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago launches Water Works for a second year, an innovative career-exploration program designed to introduce at-risk young people to a wide range of water-related careers. The program provides young people ages 16 to 24 with swimming skills that are needed to unlock meaningful jobs and career opportunities related to water, from lifeguard to oceanographer and beyond.
Water Works provides participants with expert instruction, lifeguard and other certifications, and all required equipment, including swimsuits. Through the hourly stipend given, participants can earn nearly $3,000 by the end of the 12-week program. The initiative is funded through the State of Illinois Youth Investment Program, which supports job training for at-risk transition-age youth, ages 16 to 24.
“As we launch into our second year, I couldn't be more thrilled about the splash we're making!” said Theodore “Teddy” Peterson, Water Works Director at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. “At the YMCA of Metro Chicago, our Water Works program is all about connecting and empowering communities through water. It's truly amazing what this powerful element can do.”
Program Highlights:
- Comprehensive Training: Participants will receive swim instruction tailored to their specific skill level, including teaching students with zero experience in the water how to swim.
- Certifications: Participants will have the opportunity to earn lifeguard and swim-instructor certifications, creating an immediate pathway to well-paying work, including at the YMCA.
- Career Development & Exploration: Participants will receive career coaching, such as resume writing and soft-skill training, and will participate in field trips designed to bring water-related careers to life. 
- No Cost: All certifications, equipment (including swimsuits and training) are provided at no cost to participants.
- Paid Stipend: Participants will earn a stipend, which aligns with Chicago’s minimum wage.
Our first 2025-26 Water Works cohort begins Saturday, September 6, and will be held at two of our Community Hubs: the Lake View YMCA in Lake View and the South Side YMCA in Woodlawn. Career-seekers ages 16 to 24 who meet state requirements are encouraged to apply at ymcachicago.org/waterworks.
In recruiting participants for the 2025-26 cohorts, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago continues to focus on career-seeking individuals from communities served by its Community Hubs. No prior swimming experience is required to participate in the program — a deliberate and vital decision, given the longstanding racial and ethnic disparities in access to swim instruction. For instance, only 46% of Black children and 47% of Latino children have had swimming lessons, compared to 72% of White children.
“We’re proud to continue offering vital swim instruction and essential water safety education, giving youth the confidence they need in and around the water and beyond,” said Peterson. “From there, we help build their employability skills for exciting careers within the Y movement and beyond. It's a joy to see how we’re fostering connections and building stronger, happier communities—one wave at a time!”
By removing skill-based barriers to entry, Water Works helps ensure that young people from historically underserved communities have equitable access to careers in aquatics, water safety, and beyond. For more information about the YMCA Water Works program, visit ymcachicago.org/waterworks.
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About the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago is a regional leader in accessible, inclusive programming for more than 300,000 individuals each year, strengthening community by connecting all people to their purpose, potential, and each other. The YMCA of Metro Chicago is evolving to become a 21st-century social enterprise, reaching our communities through 20 community hubs — including five overnight camps — and more than 100 extension sites throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. Learn more about the Y's locations and programming at ymcachicago.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Molly Silverman
Chief Growth and Engagement Officer
YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
773-612-7028
[email protected]