Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

You are here: Home / Blog

C.W. Avery Family YMCA Advisory Council Set to Host Celebrity Bartender Event on October 8

The C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Advisory Council is excited to once again host a special Celebrity Bartender Event! Stop by to see some of your favorite Y friends and support a great cause! All cash tips collected at the bar will benefit the YMCA Mission Strong Fund. Please remember to bring cash for raffles and to tip your bartender. Complimentary appetizers will be served. 

Date:
Thursday, October 8

Time:
6-9 p.m.

Location:
Backroads Burger & Bar
13717 S. Route 30, Suite 101
Plainfield, IL 60544

Celebrity bartender list still to be announced. Stay tuned for updates!

SHARE THIS:

Early Bird Pricing for YMCA Youth Basketball Leagues Available Through September 21

YMCA Youth Basketball Leagues heavily emphasize teamwork and sportsmanship while teaching kids the basics of the game: shooting, dribbling, rebounding, passing and defense. Most importantly, everyone plays and everyone has fun.

SIGN UP TODAY AND SAVE!
Early Bird Pricing is available through Monday, September 21.

The Y offers five convenient youth basketball league locations throughout Will and Grundy Counties to serve your family:

C.W. AVERY FAMILY YMCA – Plainfield
Games and practices will be held at the YMCA and at Plainfield District 202 schools.

CO-ED DIVISIONS
Junior YBL, Grades K-12

GIRLS DIVISIONS*
Grades 3-4, 5-6

REGISTER TODAY

JOLIET COMMUNITY YMCA – Joliet
Games and practices will be held at Joliet Junior College, Messiah Lutheran Church, or local schools. Grades Pre-K-6 will play games on Saturdays at Joliet Junior College. Grades 7-8 and the High School Division will play on Tuesday evenings at a Plainfield school and on Saturdays community partner location.

CO-ED DIVISIONS
Junior YBL, Grades K-12

GIRLS DIVISIONS*
Grades 3-4, 5-6

REGISTER TODAY

MORRIS HOSPITAL YMCA – Two locations in Grundy County

Morris League 
Games and practices will be held at Morris Grade School.

CO-ED DIVISIONS
Junior YBL, Grades K-8

GIRLS DIVISIONS*
Grades 3-4, 5-6

REGISTER TODAY

Coal City League
Games and practices will be held at Coal City Intermediate School.

CO-ED DIVISIONS
Grades K-6

GIRLS DIVISIONS*
Grades 3-4, 5-6

REGISTER TODAY

VILLAGE OF SHOREWOOD YMCA – Shorewood

Practice and game locations TBD.

CO-ED DIVISIONS
Junior YBL, Grades K-12

GIRLS DIVISIONS
Grades 3-4, 5-6

REGISTER TODAY

*In order for competitions to run in the Girls’ Divisions, a minimum number of participants must be enrolled. The Y will determine if these divisions will be able to run by November 13, and families will be notified.

SHARE THIS:

Celebrating a Century of Community: Greater Joliet Area YMCA Proud to Highlight Volunteers This September

Throughout the month of September, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA will be counting down to the Y’s 100th anniversary on September 29 by spotlighting the incredible volunteers who have helped shape our Y and strengthen our community. These individuals have been invited to share some of their favorite memories and moments from their Y experience, as well as what the Y means to them and the communities it serves.

Be sure to follow along on our social media pages as we highlight these amazing volunters:

Facebook

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Joliet Community YMCA
Morris Hospital YMCA
Village of Shorewood YMCA

Instagram

Greater Joliet Area YMCA

LinkedIn

Greater Joliet Area YMCA

SHARE THIS:

Celebrate the Y’s Centennial with Special Fab 50 Events

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2026 and there are plenty of ways to join in on the fun during special Fab 50 events this month! All events are free and open to the community. Space is limited and registration is required. See details below.

Village of Shorewood YMCA

Centennial Potluck
Tuesday, September 15
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Y will be providing the main dish and attendees are invited to bring a side dish/dessert of their choice. Stop by for fun, fellowship, and an exploration of 100 years of Y memories.

REGISTER TODAY

Morris Hospital YMCA

Centennial BINGO
Tuesday, September 15
11 a.m.-Noon

Stop by for fun rounds of centennial themed BINGO as well as fellowship and an exploration of 100 years of Y memories. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.

REGISTER TODAY

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Centennial Potluck
Wednesday, September 23
10:30 a.m.-Noon

The Y will be providing the main dish of chicken. Attendees are invited to bring a side dish/dessert of their choice. A sign-up sheet to bring a dish will be shared at Fab 50 social hour gatherings leading up to the event. Activities will also include 1920’s themed games of BINGO and ‘The Price is Right.’

REGISTER TODAY

SHARE THIS:

Stronger Today Because of Yesterday: Greater Joliet Area YMCA Unveils History Wall

In celebration of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Centennial Anniversary in 2026, the Y unveiled a new history wall within the Village of Shorewood YMCA this week. This installation celebrates the visionary leaders, pivotal moments, and enduring milestones that have guided the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s journey and deepened its impact across the community over the past 100 years.

We remain deeply grateful to the members, employees, volunteers, donors and community partners whose dedication to the Y’s mission and the residents of Will and Grundy Counties made this historic milestone possible. As we begin our second century of service, we remain guided by our mission, inspired by our history, and committed to strengthening our community and transforming lives for generations to come.

SHARE THIS:

Junior Wolves Program Recognized as a 2026 Governor’s Hometown Award Finalist

We are very excited to announce that the Junior Wolves youth sports program, made possible through an innovative partnership between the Joliet Community YMCA (JCY) and Joliet Junior College (JJC), was recognized as a finalist for the 2026 Governor’s Hometown Award. As part of this honor, a delegation from the YMCA and JJC traveled to Springfield on August 19 to present more about the program and the positive impact it is having on youth in our community.

Officially launched in February 2025, Junior Wolves provides year-round YMCA youth sports leagues and camps on JJC’s main campus in Joliet, giving local youth access to high-quality facilities close to home. Through the program, kids of all ages have the opportunity to learn and train alongside JJC student-athletes and coaches, as well as YMCA staff.

The partnership also extends beyond the playing field. Through the Paws on the Street program, JJC student-athletes volunteer in the YMCA’s after-school Kid Zone program, where they mentor, encourage, and inspire younger students. Together, JCY and JJC are creating opportunities for young people to be active, build confidence, develop meaningful relationships and discover their potential – both on and off the field.

Now in its 18th year with Serve Illinois, the Governor’s Hometown Awards continue to bolster the commission’s mission to improve Illinois communities by enhancing volunteerism and instilling an ethic of service throughout the state. ​

To learn more about the exciting programs the Joliet Community YMCA has to offer the community, please click here.

Pictured in top photo (left to right): Joliet Community YMCA Sports Director Zach Jarosz, Joliet Junior College Assistant Athletic Director & Assistant Baseball Coach Nick LoFurno, Joliet Junior College, Director of Athletics & Head Baseball Coach Gregg Braun, Illinois State Senator Rachel Ventura, Greater Joliet Area YMCA President & CEO Katy Leclair, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Director of Branch and Program Operations Lisa Behounek, Joliet Community YMCA Executive Director Brooke Hall,, and Joliet Junior College Dean of Student Success Angie Kaysen-Luzbatek.

SHARE THIS:

United Way