New aquatics staff at JCC getting their feet wet

The Aquatics department of the Dwares Jewish Community Center, in Providence, welcomed two new staff members earlier this year. 

Doug Immel became the new aquatics director at the JCC’s Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy in mid-April, while Victoria Breda became the new coordinator in late February. 

In addition to diverse professional backgrounds, Immel and Breda bring irrepressible enthusiasm to their new positions.

“This [position] matches my energy level and needs, [and] it allows me to give back,” said Immel, who adds that his values regarding community service are in line with those of the Jewish Alliance. 

“I was born into a family all about service. If a job didn’t involve service, it wasn’t interesting to me, but I also like my work to be fun,” he said, while pausing to joke with youngsters who were passing by his office.

Both Immel and Breda have wide experience in community development and giving back to the community. Immel spent a year of his undergraduate studies working in Ghana, has taught at a school for adjudicated boys, and has even constructed his own eco-friendly house on wheels. 

Breda, who was in the JCC’s J-Fitness department before moving into Aquatics, has a background in general health and wellness. She has also worked in development for nonprofits, including one whose mission was children’s advocacy and another that provided free fitness and nutrition classes to low-income women. 

Breda sees the JCC as a place where everyone can feel safe and included.

“It’s the most welcoming place I’ve ever worked out!” she said.  “I want people to think of the pool as a safe space to come and a safe place to go swimming … it’s a community space.”

Breda’s and Immel’s jobs often overlap: Breda teaches children to swim, and Immel prepares them for the JCC’s swim team; Breda manages the instructors, and Immel manages the lifeguards. They described themselves as a team.

When asked about their typical duties or a typical day, they both laughed and said that a typical day doesn’t exist in their positions. Breda did mention that some days she teaches swimming to young children. Immel, who has only been employed at the JCC for a few weeks, said one of his top priorities was learning everybody’s name.

“I now know 44 kids and 20 staff members!” he exclaimed.

While they are still learning the inner workings of the aquatics department, both staffers expressed a desire to reach out and become more connected to other parts of the community. Immel discussed a potential swim meet with another JCC, and Breda is interested in expanding beyond the local community and in teaching adults.

“I feel like we have a really strong East Side community, and I want to reach out beyond the East Side,” she said. “We’re in the Ocean State, so all of our kids should know how to swim.”

ARIEL BROTHMAN is a freelance writer who lives in Wrentham, Massachusetts.