Blog — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

National Water Safety Month: Tips for Keeping Your Family Safe In and Around Water

May 15, 2019

National Water Safety Month

May is National Water Safety Month, which aims to raise awareness about the well-being of individuals around bodies of water. Swimming is not only a great physical activity, but it’s also a popular pastime enjoyed by families throughout the summer. And, with drowning being the leading cause of death among children, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA encourages you and your family to practice water safety year-round.

If you’re looking to help keep your family safe around the water, you may want to consider these helpful tips before or during your next trip to the pool:

Sign-Up for Swim Lessons

Enrolling your child in swim lessons at a young age is extremely beneficial. Children, ages 1-4, have a decreased risk of drowning when they’ve participated in swim lessons. And, as an adult, it’s always great to take a refresher course or ‘dive’ into swim lessons yourself.

Did you know the Galowich Family YMCA offers a learn-to-swim program for adults?

The Y’s ‘No Fear Fridays’ swim program is underway! Throughout the month of May, adults, ages 18 and up, are invited to learn basic swim skills and improve their health and well-being during this new class on Fridays from 9:15-10 a.m. at the Galowich Family Y, located at 749 Houbolt Road in Joliet.

Swim with a Friend

It’s important at any age to have a friend or family member accompany you while swimming. The risk of drowning can happen at any time, so having a friend or family member close by is important in case of an emergency.

Get Certified or Re-Certified in CPR

Understanding CPR is an excellent life skill to have, and is especially important when you’re around water. Being able to perform CPR during a medical emergency can help to save a life. The YMCA offers CPR classes at its Joliet and Plainfield locations.

To learn more about CPR classes at the Y, visit the Y’s website.

Have a Phone Available for Emergencies

Whether you’re heading to the beach or the pool, be sure to have the ability to contact 911 if an emergency should arise.

To learn more about water safety, check out this great article, courtesy of the American Red Cross.

As a reminder, summer swim lessons will get underway on Monday, June 3. Families are invited to take advantage of the Y’s Early Bird offer and save $5 on Summer 1 swim lessons through Tuesday, May 28. To learn more about swim lessons at the Y, please visit the Y’s website or contact your local YMCA’s Aquatics Director.

Morris YMCA Brings Youth Enrichment Programs to Coal City Schools

May 14, 2019

The Morris Community YMCA is committed to fulfilling program needs in communities throughout Grundy County. When school breaks for the summer, Y camp at Coal City Early Childhood Center provides a place where kids can have fun, learn new skills and build self-confidence. During the winter, the YMCA’s youth basketball program, held at Coal City Unit #1 Schools, encourages youth to be physically active and learn the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. To further expand its reach, the Y recently debuted a series of after school programs at Coal City Elementary School and Coal City Intermediate School, thanks in part to generous funding from Coal City Community Unit School District #1.

Held in April and May, these one-hour, sampler-style programs had different weekly themes, each one falling under the HEPA (healthy eating, physical activity) and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) umbrellas. HEPA programs teach children how to make healthy food choices and to enjoy physical activity, contributing to their social and physical development. STEM programs nurture curiosity, inspire creativity and teach children how to succeed.

“No Bake, It’s a Piece of Cake,” for example, was a healthy eating class where students learned how to make guacamole and smoothies. “Dodgeball Mania,” on the other hand, encouraged kids to get moving through physical activity. “Slime Central,” the most popular session, was a STEM class where participants created slime using everyday items such as glue, contact solution and water. (Creating slime has become increasingly popular among school-age children. Naturally then, the program drew approximately 50 participants.)

At the Y, we believe the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for quality of life and future success. Through after school programs, children are put in a position to learn how to be their best selves. That makes for confident kids today, and contributing and engaged adults tomorrow.

Building a Healthier Community: National Hospital Week

May 13, 2019

National Hospital Week

This week is National Hospital Week, which celebrates hospitals and the women and men who support the health and well-being of their communities through dedication and compassionate care from the heart. It also recognizes the miracles they help to make happen on a day to day basis, both large and small. During National Hospital Week, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA encourages you and your family to thank all of these dedicated individuals, including physicians, nurses, therapists, volunteers, administrators, and so many more.

At the Greater Joliet Area YMCA, we have the privilege of working with so many amazing health care professionals in our local communities. In celebration of National Hospital Week, we’d like to thank our partners at AMITA Health and Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers for their continued support and commitment to enhancing the health and wellness of our members and their families.

To learn more about our wonderful partnerships or to see how we’re celebrating National Hospital Week, visit the Y’s website at www.jolietymca.org or head over to our Facebook pages.

Bring Your Family Together: Exciting Activities for Mother’s Day

May 9, 2019

Mother's Day Activities

On Sunday, May 12, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA joins millions of people in celebrating Mother’s Day, a day dedicated to showing appreciation for all mothers and mother-figures. Planning the perfect activity to make your mom feel extra special can be tough, but it can be a simple activity the entire family will enjoy.

If you’re looking for fun, family-friendly activities for your Mother’s Day weekend, you may want to consider these great ideas:

Explore the Outdoors

If the weather permits, take a stroll, go for a bike ride or have a picnic outside. Exploring the outdoors with your mom will give you the opportunity to enjoy the spring weather and each other’s company.

Plan a Trip to the Gym

Kick off your Mother’s Day with a trip to the gym or try a new fitness class together. This is a great bonding activity and it will give you both the energy to tackle your day.

The Y offers many group exercise classes, which are included with your Y membership. And, you can bring your mom to the Y by using one of your complimentary guest passes. When planning your trip to the Y, be sure to use your branch’s online schedule to view all of your favorite free group fitness classes.

Volunteer with the Family

Spend a day with your mom giving back to a cause your family cares about. Volunteering is an excellent way to celebrate Mother’s Day and give back to your community.

Make a Meal Together

Instead of heading to a busy restaurant for brunch or dinner, make a meal for your mom at home. Cooking is a wonderful way to connect with your family and give your mom a break.

Continue the family fun after Mother’s Day at the Y! The YMCA offers numerous family activities and programs throughout the year. To learn more about programs and activities available at the Y, visit our website at www.jolietymca.org.

For additional Mother’s Day activities, check out this great article, courtesy of Country Living Magazine.

Skills for Life: The Importance of Learning CPR

May 3, 2019

CPR Classes Grundy County

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, also known as CPR, is an emergency life-saving technique that’s performed when the heart stops beating. More than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospital walls annually, which makes bystander CPR extremely important. Immediate CPR can double or triple the chances of a person’s survival.

If you’re looking to learn this vital skill, be sure to register to attend one of two ‘Friends and Family’ CPR classes being hosted by the Morris Community YMCA and Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers later this month.

Saturday, May 11 9-11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, May 15 6-8:30 p.m.

Both classes will be held at Shabbona Middle School, located at 725 School Street in Morris. Cost is $5 per person. These classes are open to area residents, ages 12 and older.

To learn more, please contact Membership and Wellness Director Jamie Nelson at (815) 513-8080, ext. 515 or via email at [email protected].

To read more about the importance of learning CPR, check out this great article, courtesy of Harvard Health Publishing.

We’re Making a Difference: Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week

April 22, 2019

At the Y, we understand that learning doesn’t end when the school bell rings. The way your children spend their time outside of the classroom makes a big difference in their personal development and your family-life balance. The Y’s before and after school Kid Zone program provides a safe place for children to keep their mind and body active while learning social skills and positive values.

At the heart of the Y’s Kid Zone program, you’ll find our dedicated before and after school care team. Every day, this amazing group of Y professionals make a difference in the lives of young people. To celebrate our before and after school care teams, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA is participating in Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week. Beginning Monday, April 22 through Friday, April 26, the Y will be devoting time to recognize and appreciate our before and after school care staff.

Join the Movement

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA encourages you to join us in thanking the before and after school care professional in your family’s life. To help make a difference in their lives, you may want to consider these thoughtful ideas:

Give a hand-written note from you or your child to the before and after school care professional in your family’s life.
Show your support on social media using #heartofafterschool
Bring treats to the staff at your childcare program
Send an email to a before or after school care professional’s supervisor describing why that person is appreciated.

As a reminder, Kid Zone registration for the 2019-2020 school year is underway! And, families who register for Kid Zone by Monday, April 29 will pay a $0 registration fee—a savings of $45. To learn more about the Y’s Kid Zone program, visit www.jolietymca.org or speak with your local Y’s Before and After School Care Director during your next visit.