Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris

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The Dream Starts Here: Greater Joliet Area YMCA Set to Host Preliminary Round of Illinois YMCA Statewide 2-Ball Tournament

As part of the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs dynamic collaboration with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA), the Greater Joliet Area YMCA will host a preliminary round of the Illinois YMCAs Statewide 2-Ball Tournament on Sunday, November 17 at Joliet Junior College.

Under the statewide theme, “The Dream Starts Here,” this collaboration brings together the resources and expertise of YMCAs across Illinois, the IHSA, and the IESA to inspire a new generation of leaders and athletes by promoting participation in youth sports statewide. Additionally, the initiative encourages young people to consider jobs and volunteer opportunities at the Y where they can gain valuable skills and hands-on experience to pursue career pathways in sports-related fields like coaching, officiating, and sports administration.

EVENT DETAILS
The Illinois YMCAs Statewide 2-Ball Tournament is open to kids ages 7-14 and registration is underway! Teams of two will be able to “Shoot for State” by entering into a preliminary round hosted by Greater Joliet Area YMCA.

Location:
Joliet Junior College- Event Center
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431

Boys and Girls Divisions will be available for each of the following age groups:
7-8 years
9-10 years
11-12 years
13-14 years

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is open through November 15. Contest start times vary by division. All players who register by November 4 will receive a competition t-shirt. 

Cost: $20 per player, open to the community

REGISTER TODAY

HOW IT WORKS

During the qualifying round, each team will have 60 seconds to score as many points as possible, shooting from designated spots on the court. The top scoring team from each division will then have their score entered into the statewide contest to be compared to winners at other event sites.

The top two statewide scores from each girls division will advance to compete in the 2-Ball finals during the championship weekend of the IHSA Girls Basketball Tournament in Normal on March 8, 2025.

The top two statewide scores from each boys division will advance to compete in the 2-Ball finals during the championship weekend of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament in Champaign on March 15, 2025.

COMPETITION RULES 

FAQS

To learn more, please contact:
Chris Interial
Morris Community YMCA Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 514 

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Spreading Holiday Cheer: Pack-the-Truck Christmas Toy Collection Drive

BENEFITTING TOYS FOR TOTS

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is teaming up with the United Parcel Service (UPS) and Star 96.7 to host a Christmas Toy Collection Drive to ensure every kid in our community has a toy to open this holiday season!

Help us make the holiday season a little brighter for families in need in our community by donating a new, unwrapped toy for a child, ages 17 and younger. We will also be collecting donations of gift wrap and bows.

This festive morning will also include a special appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Star 96.7’s Midday Host Jillian Bass will also be at the YMCA broadcasting live from 10 a.m.-Noon.

Make your plans to join us!

Date: Saturday, November 2
Time: 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Location: 
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 Wallin Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544

For more information about Toys For Tots in our area, click here.

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Erin Lightbody Named Executive Director of C.W. Avery Family YMCA

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is proud to announce that Erin Lightbody has been named Executive Director of the C.W. Avery Family YMCA. Lightbody, who has worked for the Y since 2003, started her new role this month and we are excited to have her leading operations at our Plainfield location.

A seasoned YMCA professional with more than 20 years of experience, Lightbody began her YMCA career as a counselor/site-coordinator in the Y’s Before and After School Kid Zone program and was named the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Youth and Family Director in 2004. After leading youth development programming for 14 years in Plainfield, she became the YMCA’s Youth Operations Director in 2018, and has been instrumental in shaping youth programs across the association. Through her leadership, the YMCA has created and implemented policies and procedures that ensure the nearly 1,300 children who participate in Y programs each day have a safe, engaging, and enriching experience. 

During her tenure at the Y, Lightbody not only helped the Y navigate the challenges of providing childcare services during the COVID pandemic, she also became a certified Praesidium Guardian, an award given to leaders who help ensure that an organization is following the highest industry standards for child abuse prevention. As a part of her certification, Lightbody completed an impact project designed to improve applicant screening for childcare positions in the Y’s summer day camp and before and after school programs.

“Taking the Praesidium Guardian class helped me take a look at the entire interview and training process for employees in our childcare programs and identify ways we can continue to improve hiring and onboarding candidates. Everything from start to finish has been made more robust. I look forward to continuing to support families in my new role, as well as all those that walk through the doors of the Y,” Lightbody said.

Lightbody also played a key role in supporting the expansion of YMCA child care programs into the Valley View School District, and she plans to continue to drive the YMCA’s mission forward by fostering a culture of excellence, community, and inclusion at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA.

“Erin brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to our organization,” Director of Branch & Program Operations Lisa Behounek said. “Throughout a remarkable YMCA career spanning more than two decades, Erin has consistently demonstrated her passion, leadership, and dedication to our mission. Her vision, attention to detail, and ability to connect with staff, children, and families alike make her the perfect fit for this role. We are excited to see her lead the C.W. Avery Family YMCA into the future.”

Lightbody has a degree in Business Administration/Sports Management from Aquinas College. She resides in Plainfield with her family.

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Building a Healthier Community: Save During the YMCA’s 2024 Fall Membership and Youth Basketball League Sales

Fall Membership Sale

New and alumni members who join the Y anytime between October 4-7 will pay a $0 Joiner’s Fee – a savings of up to $120.

OUR FACILITY MEMBERS ENJOY ACCESS TO THREE BRANCHES
Your membership gives you unlimited use of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s three YMCA locations, including:

  • Two indoor pools and our family aquatic center, all fully programmed with activities for the entire family, including family swim time, swim lessons, aquatic fitness programs and lap lane access.
  • Three wellness centers, all equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment.
  • Free fitness orientations and daily group exercise classes (programs vary by location).

Quality Programming
In addition to our free group exercise classes, the Y offers year-round swim lessons, sports programs and personal training, among a slew of other options.

Child Care
If you have a Family Membership, you can drop your child(ren) off at our supervised playroom while you exercise.

Free Basic Access to the YMCA On the Go App
The YMCA On the Go App provides Y members with access to the YMCA 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This new interactive tool is loaded with free workouts, on-demand videos, and nutrition tips.

Free Access to the My Y Rewards Program
Upon enrolling in the My Y Rewards Program, you’ll earn points each time you check-in, take a class, or refer a friend to the Y. In fact, from October 4-7, you’ll earn your first 150 points for simply enrolling in the program. You can then redeem your points for fun Y swag and program and membership credits.

So Much More
A complete list of member benefits can be found here.

THREE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 Wallin Dr, Plainfield, IL 60544

Galowich Family YMCA
749 Houbolt Road, Joliet IL 60431

Morris Community YMCA*
320 Wauponsee St, Morris, IL 60450
*The future Morris Hospital YMCA will open on December 16. Early Bird Memberships are on sale now! Learn more here.

JOIN THE Y

Youth Basketball League Sale

Families can also save when registering for the upcoming YBL season between October 4-7! Use promo code YBLSALE2024 when registering online and save $10 per player.

To learn more about YBL in your area, or to register online, please click below.

Joliet

Plainfield

Morris/Coal City

 

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Celebrate Halloween at the YMCA


Prepare yourselves! This October, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has a series of spooky, Halloween-themed activities planned for you and your family. Join us for ‘Spook-tacular’ fun!

Galowich Family YMCA

Kids’ Night Out: Halloween Monster Mash
Friday, October 18
5:30-7:30 p.m.

Kids need a break from your parents? No problem! Bring your friends and have a blast at the Y with our cool counselors on Friday night! Wear your favorite Halloween costume to celebrate a Monster Mash! PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance.

Cost: $15 for Facility Members/$30 for Community Members

REGISTER TODAY

Boo Bash
Friday, October 25
6-8 p.m.

Join us for a family friendly spooktacular Halloween event with fun activities, games, crafts, and candy! Don’t forget to wear your Halloween costume. 

Cost: Free and open to the community.

REGISTER TODAY

The Y is also looking for businesses to participate in this event by hosting a table with a game, activity, or craft, as well as handing out candy to the trick-or-treaters. A table and chairs will be provided.

To learn more, please contact Youth and Family Director Tracy Wrase at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 315.

Morris Community YMCA

Trunk-or-Treat
Saturday, October 26
10-11:30 a.m.

Location:
Morris Grade School
2001 Dupont Ave
Morris, IL 60450

It’s Halloween time and we’re having a bash! Wear your best costume and do a little Monster Dash! Come trunk or treat from the numerous trunks provided by local businesses.

Cost: Free and open to the community

REGISTER TODAY

If you would like to host a trunk during this event, please contact Youth and Family Director Jordan Overton at [email protected] or (815) 513-8080, ext. 513.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Kids’ Night Out: Halloween Costume Party
Friday, October 25
6:30-9 p.m.

Join us for a variety of activities such as games, sports, movies, and arts & crafts. Be sure to wear your Halloween costumes! PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance.

Cost: $15 for Facility Members/$30 for Community Members

REGISTER TODAY

Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 26
1-3 p.m.

Stop by the C.W. Avery Family YMCA for our exciting Halloween Spooktacular! We will have a Trunk-or-Treat with a haunted house as well as games, crafts, bounce houses, and more!
Cost: Free and open to the community
REGISTER TODAY
If you are interested in hosting a trunk, please contact Youth and Family Director Shannon Stawikowski at [email protected] or (815) 267-8600, ext. 212.
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OPENING DAY FOR THE NEW MORRIS HOSPITAL YMCA SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 16

Early Bird Memberships Available Through December 1

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA announced today that the new Morris Hospital YMCA, which will be located at 2200 W. Dupont Avenue, will officially open its doors to serve the community on Monday, December 16. This much-anticipated grand opening date will mark the culmination of a 19-month construction phase for Grundy County’s first full-facility YMCA.

Built in partnership with Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers, the new 60,000-square-foot YMCA facility will feature an eight-lane lap pool, a state-of-the-art health and wellness center, a gymnasium and indoor walking track, group exercise studios, a cycling room, a healthy eating kitchen, engaging youth play spaces, and meeting rooms. Surrounded by property that is planned for residential development, the new YMCA will be located adjacent to Morris Grade School and West Side Park, and will feature an outdoor walking track.

A mainstay in the Grundy County community for the last decade, the YMCA has been working collaboratively with Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers to enhance the health and wellness of Grundy County residents since opening its temporary facility in 2015 in downtown Morris. In its new home on Dupont Avenue, the YMCA will offer expanded year-round programs in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility for residents of all ages.

“We are very excited to welcome the community to the new Morris Hospital YMCA,” said Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and Chief Executive Officer Katy Leclair. “We look forward to working with our partners at Morris Hospital to create a welcoming community center where residents of all ages can participate in high-quality and impactful programs. December 16 will be a monumental day as we officially open our doors on Dupont Avenue and see the dreams of our generous donors and community partners, loyal YMCA members, and hardworking volunteers and employees realized,” added Leclair.

As construction of the new facility nears completion, area residents are invited to take advantage of exclusive pre-opening membership opportunities as part of the YMCA’s Early Bird Membership Sale, which will run through December 1. Early Bird Members will enjoy priority access when the new facility opens in December.

YMCA Facility Members enjoy significant cost-savings and priority registration on YMCA programs, and receive free access to the YMCA’s On the Go App, as well as unlimited guest passes. Ensuring that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay, the Y proudly invests nearly $1 million into its members and the community each year through its financial assistance program, providing scholarship assistance and free community programming.

The YMCA will host a ribbon cutting ceremony and community open house on Saturday, January 11, 2025.

JOIN THE MORRIS HOSPITAL YMCA

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