Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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YMCA Junior Wolves Program to Host Youth Baseball and Running Camps in December

The YMCA’s Junior Wolves program is here to help youth athletes keep their skills sharp this winter with special baseball and running camps! These clinics, which are open to the community, will be led by Joliet Junior College coaches and student athletes from the baseball and track and field teams. 

Youth Baseball Camp

Monday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 23
Open to ages 5-10
9 a.m.-Noon

This co-ed, two-day camp is designed for players of all abilities who are looking to strengthen their game. Whether your child is brand new to the sport or working to develop their fundamentals, JJC’s coaches and student-athletes will lead campers through key skills, including catching, throwing, hitting, and base running.

Cost: $60

REGISTER TODAY

Youth Running Camp

Monday, December 29 and Tuesday, December 30
9 a.m.-Noon
Open to ages 5-15

This two-day, co-ed camp will help runners build speed, agility, and develop smart running strategies. Perfect for young runners of all skill levels, this camp combines expert instruction with fun drills and games to improve movement, confidence, and endurance. Whether you’re training for track, cross country, or just love to run, you’ll leave this camp faster, sharper, and more excited about running than ever!

Cost: $60

REGISTER TODAY

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An Evening of Gratitude: Recognizing Those Who Give Today to Strengthen Tomorrow

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA hosted its 2025 Heritage Club Dinner at Mistwood Golf Club on Thursday, October 16. Held annually, this evening celebrates charitable giving at the YMCA and recognizes those donors who have chosen to make a legacy gift to the Y.

Heritage Club membership is granted to those individuals who have included a gift for the YMCA in their will or estate plans. Many Heritage Club members have also generously established a named endowment fund or supported the YMCA’s General Endowment Fund, which helps to ensure that no one is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay.

Message of Thanks

The evening began with Greater Joliet Area YMCA Endowment Development Committee Chair Susan Lee  welcoming those in attendance and thanking them for their continued support of the Y’s mission. Lee also thanked her fellow committee members for helping plan this annual event and previewed the stories of impact that would be shared throughout the night. Lee then invited Endowment Development Committee Volunteer and YMCA Board Member Jackie Bersano to the podium to offer the evening’s invocation.

Celebration of Charitable Giving

Following dinner, Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair reflected on the incredible support the Y continues to receive from the community. She recognized past YMCA donors, volunteers, and employees whose foresight and vision laid the groundwork to shape what the organization has become today. 

Leclair then welcomed YMCA Board Member and Heritage Club member Guy Christensen, who spoke about the inspiring impact of charitable giving and how it has shaped his personal Y story. Guy and his wife, Jan, served as co-chairs of the Morris YMCA Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet, which successfully raised more than $21 million to build the new Morris Hospital YMCA. He also expressed their gratitude for being able to establish a new endowment fund—ensuring their support of the Y will continue to make a difference for generations to come.

Following Guy’s remarks, the Y recognized C.W. Avery Family YMCA members Jose Murillo and Rosa Garcia, along with their five daughters—Jackie, Camila, Alexa, Maya, and Mia. Nearly seven years ago, Jose and Rosa became involved with the YMCA and, through the support of the Y’s financial assistance program, were able to enroll their daughters in swim lessons, tumbling, and ballet classes. As the girls spent more time in the pool, their passion for swimming grew, leading them to join the JETS Swim Team, where they learned the values of teamwork and sportsmanship, and discovered a true love for the sport. None of this would have been possible without the Y’s financial assistance program and the generosity of donors who believe in and support the Y’s mission.

The event concluded with a special presentation of the William R. Lauer Service to Youth Award to longtime YMCA volunteer, donor, and chairman of the Joliet Community YMCA Advisory Council Larry Wiers. 

“Larry has been a longtime champion of youth development at the YMCA. His expertise and dedication to helping students become the best version of themselves, and prepare for the future, has had an incredible impact on YMCA programs and their participants. We are so thankful for his continued leadership and support,” Katy Leclair said. 

Leclair was joined at the podium by YMCA Board Members Bill Lauer and Don DeGeus, who presented the award to Wiers, who then addressed guests.

Wiers praised the examples put forth by fellow volunteers, like Lauer, and reflected on his more than 50-year career as an educator and school superintendent. He emphasized the impact each person can make in their community, particularly in the lives of young people, even when the effects aren’t immediately visible.

An Invitation for Impact  

Endowment Development Committee Volunteer Donna Zanzola closed the evening by explaining the mission of the Heritage Club and invited guests to explore opportunities to leave a legacy gift to the YMCA.

The YMCA’s doors continue to expand with open arms and it is through gifts like those provided by Heritage Club members that make this possible.

To learn more about Heritage Club membership and making a legacy gift to the YMCA, please click here or contact Missy Durkin, Chief Business Development Officer at (815) 513-8210.

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YMCA Volunteer Spotlight: Morris Hospital YMCA Member Matt Lapoint

YMCA youth sports programs teach kids the fundamentals of the game while emphasizing the importance of teamwork. At the Y, we know these programs would not be possible without the generosity and dedication of our volunteer coaches. As we prepare for the upcoming Youth Basketball League (YBL) season, we’d like to shine the spotlight on Morris Hospital YMCA member and volunteer Matt Lapoint. Matt has served as a volunteer coach for the last six years in a number of YMCA youth sports leagues,  including basketball, flag football, and baseball. Learn more about him in the Q&A below. 

Q: What inspired you to become a YMCA volunteer coach?

I grew up loving sports, playing sports, and watching sports. When I had kids (I have three boys), I knew I wanted to start getting them into it. It’s a thing I look to do to spend time with them and teach them what I know. The more I’ve done it, the more I enjoy doing it.

Q: What kind of support does the Y offer to volunteer coaches?

The staff are always here for you whether it’s on Saturday afternoon, weekday evening, or whenever you need help. They do a really nice job with the coaching clinics and preseason clinics for players. You get introduced to the expectations of the Y, where it’s all about having fun and not a win at all costs attitude. A lot of coaches appreciate that because the focus is on development, not only for players, but coaches as well. 

Q: What advice do you have for individuals who are interested in signing up to be a YMCA volunteer coach? 

If you’re hesitant to jump in because you might not know everything about a sport, you don’t have to worry about that. I’ve never had any issues here at the Y. Y parents are respectful and know it’s all about helping the kids learn.

Q: What are your favorite aspects of being a volunteer coach?

My older kids are starting to get into the age groups that get to do the postseason tournaments and that’s been exciting. You get to play teams from the other Y branches so I always look forward to that. Overall, it’s nice that you get to see a lot of the same kids each year and see how they progress.

Q: How has participating in YMCA sports programs impacted your family?

The Y puts together good programs and brings the community together. My kids have grown up with the kids and families in the Y community and I know it brings kids together from different schools. You get to know everyone in the area and it’s a rewarding experience.

We are so proud to have Matt as a member and thank him for his efforts to support youth development in our community. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer basketball coach this winter, you can sign up by clicking here.

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Sponsorship Opportunities for the 2026 YMCA Gala Now on Sale

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA will host its annual Gala on Saturday, February 28, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. Festivities for the Y’s marquee fundraising event, which is generously presented by Midland States Bank, will include dinner, silent and live auctions, exciting raffles, and entertainment.

Sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 YMCA Gala are now on sale! Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this unforgettable evening as we welcome a sold-out crowd of Y supporters to celebrate charitable giving at the Y.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

PURCHASE SPONSORSHIP ONLINE

Proceeds from the 2026 YMCA Gala will benefit the Mission Strong Fund, which helps to ensure that the Y’s mission will continue to thrive and help those in our community who need it most. Now in its 18th year, the YMCA Gala has raised more than $2 million to benefit children, adults, and families living in our community.

To learn about this year’s event, please visit our event headquarters or contact:

EVENT INFORMATION
Dori Fugate
Volunteer and Special Events Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 782-0502

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
Donnie Chestnutt
Mission Advancement Director
Email: dchestnutt@jolietymca.org
Phone: (815) 782-0800

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Registration Underway for 2025 YMCA Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge

Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge Starting November 17

Our 8-week Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge will help you get in shape and keep the weight off during the holiday season. We have a great plan to help you adopt healthy eating and exercise habits while saying ‘No’ to those tempting holiday cravings.

Are you up for the challenge?

If you can maintain your weight within 2 pounds for 8 weeks, you will receive a $20 YMCA credit that can be used towards any fitness program, including personal training. If you gain more than 2 pounds during this eight-week challenge, your fee will be donated in your name to the Y’s Mission Strong Fund.

There will be two mandatory weigh-ins:
Week 1 (some time between November 17 and November 23)
Week 8 (some time between January 5 and January 9)

There will also be optional weigh-in:
Week 4 (some time between December 12 and December 14)

As part of this fun-filled Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge, you will receive:

  • A one-of-a-kind YMCA Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge T-shirt
  • Weekly emails with workout tips, healthy holiday recipes and special fitness challenges, designed specifically for challenge participants

Let’s have a little fun this holiday season. Together, we will help you celebrate the holiday season happy and healthy!

Registration is now open. Select your branch below and sign up today!

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Galowich Family YMCA

Morris Hospital YMCA

Cost: $30

PLEASE NOTE: Registration closes on November 16.

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YMCA Staff Profile: Meet JETS Assistant Head Swim Coach Manny Arriola

The JETS YMCA Swim Team, one of the area’s most historic youth swimming clubs, is a year-round competitive swimming program that offers instruction and training for swimmers, ages six and up. This fall, we were excited to welcome Manny Arriola as the team’s assistant head swim coach. Manny has been a familiar face in YMCA aquatics programs for the past three years, and brings a wide range of instructional experience to his new role. You can learn more about him in the Q&A below.

Q: Can you describe your background in aquatics and past experience with the YMCA?

My swimming journey began when I was nine years old. I swam for the Chicago Wolfpack Aquatic Club (CWAC) until I started high school. I then became a member of the swim and water polo teams at Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago.

I started my coaching career in September 2023 as an assistant for the JETS, and I have enjoyed working with all the amazing staff and coaches I have met during my time here. I have learned a lot about coaching from all of them. In addition to working with the JETS, I previously served as head lifeguard at the Galowich Family YMCA, which allowed me to teach training classes to prospective lifeguards. I have also worked with swimmers as a private swim instructor. 

Q: Why are you passionate about the JETS program?

With my competitive swimming background, I’ve always had a strong desire to stay connected to the sport. I gained countless life lessons as a swimmer and becoming a coach has given me the chance to give back to the community. Coaching for the JETS has given me a new perspective and allowed me to help shape the next generation of swimmers, both in the pool and in their day-to-day lives. What makes this experience even more meaningful is that I share the core values of the JETS and the YMCA as a whole. Supporting swimmers and their growth – physically, mentally, and emotionally – has been incredibly fulfilling. I’m truly grateful to be part of a community that reflects the values I believe in, and I’m proud to represent both the JETS and the YMCA

Q: What are the most important things parents/swimmers should know about the benefits of YMCA aquatics programming?

One important thing for parents and swimmers to understand is that YMCA aquatics programs go far beyond teaching swim lessons, they also help instill valuable life skills along the way.  From the earliest days of learning to float, to developing resilience after a tough race, every step becomes part of a meaningful Y story- one filled with growth, encouragement, and achievement. We also emphasize that our programs are inclusive, welcoming swimmers of all ages and skill levels. And, with the dedicated work of our instructors and directors, swimming at the Y is truly life-changing. It’s inspiring to witness how the Y transforms beginners into confident swimmers and more confident individuals overall.

Q: What is your overall coaching philosophy? 

I believe coaching goes beyond teaching technique; it’s about being a mentor and a positive influence. My coaching philosophy centers on empowering swimmers for personal growth in addition to athletic development. As a coach, I strive to instill the core values of the YMCA while helping swimmers build confidence, character, and resilience. Swimming uniquely combines individual achievement with team unity, offering a space where athletes learn to push themselves independently while supporting and growing alongside their teammates. Swimmers have the opportunity to meet new people, form friendships, and have fun – all while learning new skills. My goal is for swimmers to one day look back and recognize how much they improved not only as athletes, but as individuals. It’s this balance that makes the sport, and the coaching role, so meaningful.

Q: What are things to watch from the JETS during the fall/winter season?

With more than 200 swimmers, this is the largest the JETS team has ever been and we are so proud to expand our reach throughout the communities we serve. The launch of the JETS program at the Morris Hospital YMCA is a huge development. Welcoming a wave of new swimmers from Morris and the surrounding communities of Grundy County has been a great step forward for the program. Another milestone on the horizon is the anticipated opening of the new Village of Shorewood YMCA next spring, which will continue the expansion of the JETS program. The prospect of bringing in new swimmers and hosting more meets has generated a lot of enthusiasm among swimmers and families alike. It’s truly an exciting time to be a part of the JETS.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time outside the Y?

I have a variety of hobbies, but swimming remains one of my favorite ways to relax during my free time.  I still swim recreationally during my time off. If I had to choose my favorite swim strokes, I would pick backstroke and freestyle, but my favorite events overall are the individual medleys. I also enjoy reading, especially philosophy books and comic books, which I enjoy for their thought-provoking ideas and creative storytelling.

We are so excited to have Manny helping lead our JETS! To learn more about YMCA aquatics programs, click here.

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