10 Reasons You Should Volunteer With Swim Strong

1. RESPONSIBILITY. You are providing people with the skills to save their own lives or someone else’s. Even if you aren’t working in the water, you are helping SwimStrong fulfill its mission in some way.

2. LEADERSHIP. Watching someone successfully complete a skill you taught them is an amazing feeling.

3. NETWORKING. You will meet people while volunteering who can give your career – whether you’re an established professional or seeking your first job – a boost.

4. RESUME-BUILDING. Volunteering rounds out your resume or college application and can give you an edge with hiring managers or admissions officers.

5. TIME MANAGEMENT. Juggling volunteer work with responsibilities at school, work and home helps you prioritize your time and become more focused, organized and punctual.

6. FIND YOUR VOICE. The leadership skills you hone as a SwimStrong coach will translate to a confidence boost in other areas of your life, from the classroom to the boardroom to the living room.

7. BE SOMEONE’S SUPERHERO. Your students will always remember you as the person who taught them to swim – a life skill that may also be a lifesaving one.

8. STAY IN SHAPE. You’ll increase your own fitness as you instruct others in how to become healthier.

9. LEARN YOUR CITY. You will work with people from all over New York, from all walks of life. Whether you are new to the city or you are a lifelong resident, there is always something to discover here. Ask your fellow coaches and your students about their lives and you’ll come away with a deeper knowledge of your home.

10. YOUR BUTTERFLY WILL IMPROVE. Really.

By Lela Moore