This Week's Mission Moment: Meet MyQuan
As “America’s Swim Instructor,” the YMCA is committed to teaching life-saving water safety skills to everyone in our community to prevent drownings and build safe, confident swimmers throughout every stage of life.
This mission to keep our community water safe would not be possible without our dedicated team of Aquatics professionals, including lifeguards and swim instructors.
Most swim instructors are motivated to teach for very personal reasons. For MyQuan Powers, teaching swim lessons at the South Shore YMCA is a way to give back to the community. After experiencing a near-drowning experience as a child, MyQuan became determined to learn how to swim safely. He had the opportunity for swim instruction as part of his elementary school curriculum. MyQuan quickly fell in love with swimming and began practicing at the Y before joining a competitive swim team in middle school.
For MyQuan, this passion for swimming blossomed into a career when he became a lifeguard in 2010. He joined the South Shore YMCA team in 2020 as a lifeguard and Aquatics Supervisor. MyQuan then trained to be a swim instructor and it lit a spark.
"I love to teach,” says MyQuan. “It doesn’t matter what age, I love to learn each swimmer’s goals and see them gain confidence with each lesson.” MyQuan’s classes focus on safety and skills while also encouraging students to have a good time. “I tell them to just have fun, not to worry if they mess up. In my class they are safe, I’m here to help them learn.”
When looking to grow his career in Aquatics, MyQuan knew the YMCA was the right place. “Working at the Y gives you a great sense of community and helps you progress towards your goals,” says MyQuan. “The members and staff are friendly, and everyone here is so supportive.” MyQuan teaches children and adult swim lessons at our Quincy branch and coaches our SSYMCA Strypers Swim Team. In his free time, MyQuan enjoys spending time with his young daughter and visits the Y with her frequently so they can swim together.
"MyQuan has been a great asset to our Aquatics department," says Colleen Toomey, Associate Executive Director at the Quincy YMCA. "As a lifeguard, swim instructor, and swim coach, he connects with swimmers of all ages and abilities to create a safe and welcoming environment in the pool area. He creates genuine connections with members and his peers. I can always count on him to support the department with a smile on his face."
Thanks to team members like MyQuan, our Y continues to strengthen our commitment to preventing drownings across our community. If you know someone who would make a great lifeguard or swim instructor, contact ctoomey@ssymca.org to learn more.
