REACH is a swim program for special needs children. Founder, Florencio Flores Palomo, is originally from Nebraska and now lives in Manhattan, NY where he began REACH. He is bringing it to Lincoln this summer and is excited to be back in Nebraska not only spend time with his family but to also help children with special needs learn to swim. REACH is the #1 ranked swim program for children with special needs in NYC.
1. “Words are not enough to express how fantastic the Reach Swim Academy has been for our family. Thank you for turning this into a great experience, Thank you for teaching my daughter and all these amazing children water safety, confidence and strength. She has overcome her fear of water and enjoys the water with a level of confidence she previously didn’t have, you guys are the Best. thanks to all Reach Team, but a Big Special Jonathan & Florencio for your patience and dedication and for always going above and beyond to help my daughter reach her potential. I will always be grateful. you guys rock !! “
Mother of 8 year old girl with non-verbal, moderate to severe autism.
2. “ Reach is special to me. It is a place where my son can go and be himself. It is a place with no judgment and a lot of understanding and patience. My son has ASD and has been with Reach for about 4 years. When Riley started he hated the water but with the help of Florencio and his staff my son has come a long way, now swimming on his own. They comfort him and encourage him to do better. That’s why Reach will always be the swimming program for my son.”
Mother of 6 year old autistic boy with moderate to high emotional sensitivity.
3. “ I highly recommend this academy. Trained professionals are giving my daughter the swimming skills she needs. The director is responsive, always in the pool with the classes and extremely professional. You will not be disappointed.”
Mother of 10 year old girl with high functioning, verbal autism.
4. “This program is heaven sent. Wonderful and dedicated staff. Always going the extra mile to ensure my kids are getting the attention they need and are advancing at their pace. Thanks to them, my autistic son who was not good with being in groups or focusing, is now thriving in group setting and is an excellent independent swimmer. The fact that my typical daughter was able to have lessons at the same time was a big help. REACH was a family event for us and the only program where both our kids could learn to swim at the same time. We are so grateful for that.”
Mother of 8 year old with autism and their 10 year old sibling.
5. The REACH team is awesome, thoughtful, and caring…I’m happy and blessed to have found them. More importantly, my grandchild LOVES them and has gone from fearful of water to “Superhero Swimmer” status (a term Florencio gave him to help him get over his fears and now he wears the title proudly!)
Grandmother of 9 year old boy with autism.
6. “My son has been working with Florencio and his team for four years now, before REACH was formed. When Florencio started REACH we followed him and his team because there has never been a group of people so loving and accepting to my son as they have been. Many places say they care for special needs kids but too often what we expect as parents and what they offer to our special kids is far less then acceptable…but with Florencio and his team, we get more then we ever expected. For me, there is nothing better. The fact that my son is now an independent swimmer is icing in the cake. He is loved, he is respected, and he has been taught well. Our sights are on the special Olympics and with REACH, we will get there”
Mother of 10 year old boy with Down syndrome
7. “Swimming has been a real success due to your program, we truly value the work you are doing, watching how you and your team work with our kids and all the other children in your program truly melts our hearts. THANK YOU”
Mother of 8 and 10 year old boys, both who had extreme fear of water and both have emotional and social anxieties
8. “My Son is SWIMMING! Based on all the great recommendations I had from other parents I knew REACH would be good but you far exceeded my expectations and achieved with my son what no one has ever been able to achieve before. He is SWIMMING on his own and he is focused and listening. You do great work and all the great recommendations and reviews don’t compare to the real experience.”
Father of 11 year old boy with Down syndrome
9. “My son was at the YMCA for swimming for 3 years and did not even learn the doggy paddle or to tread water. On his 2nd day at REACH, he learned to swim from one end of the 10 feet pool to the other!!! His father and I were nearly in tears. Thank you Team REACH for making our dream a reality, you’re the BEST”
Mother of 9 year old boy with non-verbal, autism.
10. “Ill keep it short and simple, REACH is our second family, we love them and no one compares to them. Nebraska you are in for one lucky treat”
Mother of 8 year old boy with non verbal autism boy and 12 year old girl with verbal autism.
Reach's unique program will be here from June 13-July 30. REACH swim classes will take place at UNL's Mabel Lee Hall and at the Downtown YMCA. Classes are 45-60 minutes long and there are no more than 3-4 students in each class and 1-2 instructors per class. Classes are for kids aged 4-18 and kids are grouped by age and ability. To learn more about REACH click here.
To register visit their website or contact via phone or email. Scholarships & Payment Options are available.
Phone number (call or text): 917-376-8543. Email: florencio@reachswim.org.
