Several San Antonio programs are expanding access to swim lessons, free books for kids and support for veterans through new community partnerships.
SAN ANTONIO — Several organizations came together across San Antonio this week to expand programs focused on children, families and veterans.
Government Employees Health Association, also known as G.E.H.A., hosted a series of community events Wednesday aimed at supporting military families and federal employees who call San Antonio home.
One of the highlights included the expansion of a Learn to Swim program in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio.
The program provides free swim lessons and water safety training for local children at the Westside YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Organizers say the initiative will serve 250 additional students in 2026, building on the program’s first year, which helped 147 children learn critical water safety skills.
The program also provides swim equipment and transportation for participating students, helping remove barriers that can prevent kids from learning to swim.
Earlier in the day, G.E.H.A. also announced a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of San Antonio to expand early childhood literacy.
Through the partnership, more than 5,700 free books will be distributed to 100 additional local children, building on a program that has already served nearly 1,000 children in the area.
The initiative helps provide free books to children from birth to age five, encouraging reading at home and supporting early learning.
The day of service also included volunteer work with Soldiers’ Angels at the American GI Forum.
Volunteers helped distribute food, participate in activities and spend time with veterans as part of the organization’s mission to support military families and former service members.
Organizers say the combined events highlight the importance of investing in community resources, from early childhood literacy and youth safety to veteran support, in one of the country’s most military-connected cities.