PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Every summer, families are tragically affected by accidental drownings, and the CDC says drowning deaths are on the rise.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is trying to tackle the problem by making swim lessons more accessible with $65,000 in grant funding.

The money will be used to offer free swim lessons to children from low-income families.

“Our focused goal with the Water Safety Grant Program is to save lives,” DEM Director Terry Gray said in a press release. “We want swimming to be accessible to more Rhode Islanders, and that starts with safety training.”

The grants will come from a line item in the state’s fiscal year 2024 budget. Gov. Dan McKee proposed the funding, and it was later approved by the R.I. General Assembly.

“I encourage communities and organizations to apply for this funding to help our state’s youth learn the skills needed to stay safe in the water,” he said.

Municipalities, nonprofits and companies that already offer swim lessons are welcome to apply for a grant.

The DEM said it will be looking for applications from its Environmental Justice Communities to make sure every Rhode Islander has access to these resources.

The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on June 7. Visit the DEM’s website to learn more and apply for a grant.

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