PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A collaborative effort involving the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center (GABCC), the Berkshire Family YMCA (BFYMCA), Linda Dulye of Dulye & Co., and Pittsfield Public Schools (PPS) has launched the Stop Youth Drowning: Safe Swim Berkshire Initiative.

This pilot program will offer free water safety instruction to middle school students during the 2025 spring break.

The program aims to address an increase in youth drownings in Berkshire County by providing essential water safety skills and knowledge. Instruction will be led by trained aquatic professionals at both the GABCC and BFYMCA, with half of the participants attending sessions at each location. Participants will receive swimsuits and daily lunch in a supervised environment. The program also intends to encourage participants to become peer advocates for water safety.

Jennifer Roccabruna, a Physical Education teacher at Pittsfield Public Schools, assisted with student recruitment and family communication. Pittsfield Public Schools provided logistical support for the pilot program.

The initiative was inspired by the drowning of a local young woman during a school trip in the summer of 2024. Linda Dulye is providing funding for the program in her memory.

According to Dulye, the program aims to build confidence and competence in and around water for young people, as well as provide opportunities for leadership and peer advocacy in safety.

"I instantly felt the need to take action. I approached the Y and Gladys Allen leadership with the idea to help our community’s youth build confidence and competence around water. These are life-saving skills—and they also give young people the chance to grow as leaders and peer advocates for safety, inspiring others to shed fears and learn to swim," said Dulye.

Aquatics professionals Prashad Abeysinghe (GABCC) and Claire Langlois (BFYMCA), along with Jennifer Roccabruna, designed the program's curriculum, which emphasizes safety, skill-building, and youth empowerment.

The GABCC stated that the program aims to reach middle school students who may miss out on traditional swim lessons, providing them with critical water safety skills and the opportunity to become safety advocates.

Jennifer Roccabruna emphasized the collaborative effort of the partners involved in making the program possible.

"We believe no child should lose their life due to a lack of access to water safety education," said Roccabruna. "This program empowers youth with the knowledge and skills to stay safe and support one another—and it’s all thanks to a powerful team of partners who care deeply about our young people."

The Stop Youth Drowning: Berkshire Initiative seeks to expand beyond the pilot program to reach more youth and remove barriers to water safety education. The organizers are inviting local leaders and philanthropists to support the initiative.

Individuals interested in getting involved can contact Jennifer Roccabruna at jroccabruna2@pittsfield.net.