PHOTOS: Lowell Police, Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund, DCR and Massachusetts State Police Team Up to Offer Free Swimming Lessons

LOWELL — Superintendent Greg Hudon is pleased to report that the Lowell Police Department, the Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Massachusetts State Police collaborated to provide free swimming lessons to about 70 Lowell youth.

This is the third year that free swimming lessons have been offered to youth ages 6 to 16 at DCR’s Raymond Lord Memorial Swimming Pool. This year, the State Police Dive Team joined Lowell Police and Collier Fund volunteers and DCR lifeguards to provide the lessons. 

The lessons were provided in three sessions from July 15 until July 26.

Youth are partnered with volunteer swim instructors and taught to be cautious but comfortable in the water, as well as how to float, swim, and play safely in pools. The program aims to reduce tragic drownings and increase water safety.

The Collier Fund as well as the Shannon Community Safety Initiative Grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research pays for the majority of the swimming program in honor of Worcester Police Officer Enmanuel “Manny” Familia, who drowned on June 4, 2021, while trying to save three young children who were struggling in a lake. 

The partnership is part of DCR’s commitment to enhancing water safety at the state’s pools this summer. 

“We are thrilled to partner with the Collier Fund, State Police and DCR to help prevent tragic drownings by teaching kids to swim,” said Superintendent Hudon. “I’d like to thank all of our partners who have made this program possible. Each child who learns how to swim lessens the chances that the city will experience another tragic drowning.”

Colleen Crosby, of Lowell, said she heard about the program via the Lowell School Department and the Lowell Police website and signed up her 6- and 10-year-old grandkids. 

“They don’t know how to swim and I wanted them to be able to be safe,” Crosby said. “This is great. It’s a really good program.”

Koren Quesada, of Lowell, signed up his 6-year-old son after hearing about several tragic drownings and said he thinks it’s important that authority figures like police are providing such a service.

“I find it good that the police department is involved in getting the kids familiar with the water and the cops,” he said. “It lets them know they’re not bad people. They’re really good and they do try to help out the community when they can.”

“I have a 13-year-old daughter with autism and it’s her second year here,” said Ashley Bell, of Lowell. “Last year she picked up so much in just two weeks. The amount she’s able to learn in a two-week period is amazing.”

“We are so happy that so many kids are benefiting from the third year of this program, now hopefully it will grow across the state,” said Joe Rogers, of the Collier Fund.

“Members of the Massachusetts State Police remain committed to engaging kids with positive experiences that teach important life skills. Swimming in these programs will prevent tragic drownings and provide these young people with the ability to enjoy beaches, lakes, and pools safely for the rest of their lives,” MSP Colonel John E. Mawn said. “As a department, this program also means a great deal to us because it honors the memory of two extraordinary officers who gave their lives in the service of others. We appreciate our partners at the Lowell Police Department, DCR, and the Collier Memorial Fund who made the experience successful.”

“As we experience hotter more humid summers, it’s more important than ever that families can seek relief at our pools and that children know how to safely swim,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “We are proud to partner with the Lowell Police Department, the Officer Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund and the Massachusetts State Police to ensure that more kids in Lowell can learn this important life skill regardless of financial ability.”