Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Save During the YMCA’s Summer Sports, Specialty, and Preschool Camp Sale

In addition to summer day camp, the YMCA offers a variety of sports, specialty, and preschool camps each summer. And now is the perfect time to register during our sports, specialty, and preschool camp sale!

REGISTER AND SAVE

Save $5 when you register for a summer sports, specialty, or preschool camp between April 24-27. Use promo code: CAMP5OFF when registering online. Valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location. Some restrictions may apply.

Learn more about available programs by clicking below.

SPORTS CAMPS (Offered at locations in Plainfield, Joliet, Morris, and Shorewood)

SPECIALTY CAMPS (Offered at locations in Plainfield, Morris and Shorewood)

PRESCHOOL CAMPS (Offered at locations in Plainfield, Morris, and Shorewood)

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Helping Kids Stay Safe in the Digital Space: Greater Joliet Area YMCA Leads Five Days of Action

In today’s connected world, kids are spending more time in the digital space than ever – learning, playing, and communicating. With that comes the need for vigilance and awareness. 

That’s why Greater Joliet Area YMCA is taking part in the Five Days of Action®, a national movement to protect children from abuse and promote safety in all spaces where kids live, learn, and play. This year’s theme focuses on digital safety, empowering families with tools to help children navigate technology responsibly and safely. 

In 2026, the Y has partnered with Praesidium, National Center for Exploited and Missing Children (NCMEC), Lauren’s Kids, and National Children’s Alliance to offer additional resources for parents and caregivers. You’ll find all the partner resources below. To join the movement or sign the pledge, visit fivedaysofaction.org. 

Recognizing Red Flags 

Certain behaviors can signal risk for child sexual abuse and understanding them helps you act early to keep kids safe. The infographic below shows what to watch for—whether the behavior may be low, moderate, or high risk—and these behaviors, or grooming, can show up both in person and online situations.

Recognizing Red Flags

Visit nationalchildrensalliance.org/the-real-red-flags-of-grooming for more information on red flag behaviors from National Children’s Alliance. 

Staying on Top of Digital Trends 

From apps to gaming, staying on top of digital trends can be overwhelming. NCMEC offers free resources to help trusted adults understand online risks—including sextortion and the growing use of generative AI—and talk with kids about staying safe. Check out the tip sheets below and be sure to explore the other NCMEC resources.

Generative AI Safety (English) 

Sextortion Safety (English) 

Sextortion Safety (Español)

Monitoring Digital Use 

Did you know 1 in 5 children who use a digital device will be sexually solicited online? Technology changes fast, and kids are targeted on the apps, games, and sites they love. Having a Cyber P.L.A.N., monitoring device use, and teaching online safety rules can help keep your child safe. Lauren’s Kids has provided the following resources by age group to help you learn how to set boundaries, teach good cyber habits, and protect your family online. 2026 Five Days of Action® Toolkit Page 8 

Kindergarten-Grade 2

Grades 3-5

Middle School

High School 

Spanish-Language Cyber P.L.A.N. Resources for Families

We take our commitment to child protection seriously and we hope you do too.

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YMCA Member Appreciation: Visit the Y and You Could Win a Special Centennial Prize

We’re celebrating the 100th day of the year with something special for our members! When you check in at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location on Friday, April 10, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $100 credit to our YMCA Centennial Store!*

One winner per branch. Some restrictions apply.

Stop by and see us!

*The YMCA Centennial Store features an exclusive collection of limited-edition YMCA merchandise, available in both adult and youth sizes. With apparel and accessories for the whole family, everyone can take part in the celebration all year long as we honor the Y’s long-standing commitment to strengthening our community and inspiring healthy living for all.

Every purchase made from the Centennial Anniversary Store is more than a celebration, it’s an investment in the Y’s mission. Proceeds from every purchase will support the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, helping to ensure that no one is turned away from YMCA programs due to the inability to pay.

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Spring Sports League Registration Extended Through April 6

When kids play sports, they do more than just exercise. Besides being physically active, they develop higher self-esteem, perform better in school and work better in groups.  Youth sports programs at the YMCA teach kids the fundamentals of the game while emphasizing the importance of teamwork. Above all, kids who participate in YMCA youth sports have a lot of fun.

And now, due to popular demand, the registration period for YMCA spring sports leagues has been extended through Monday, April 6!

PLEASE NOTE: Families who register after April 6 will be subject to a late fee. Fees vary by league. Uniforms will not be guaranteed by the first game for players registered after April 6.

Facility and Community Members from all Greater Joliet Area YMCA branches are welcome to participate at all league locations. Learn more about spring sports leagues available at your local Y branch by clicking below:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Offering NFL FLAG Football, T-Ball/Coach Pitch Baseball/Player Pitch Baseball, and Soccer
REGISTER ONLINE

Joliet Community YMCA
Offering NFL FLAG Football
REGISTER ONLINE

Morris Hospital YMCA
Offering NFL FLAG Football and T-Ball/Pinto Baseball/8U Softball
REGISTER ONLINE

If you have any questions, please contact:

Maria Freeh, Sports Director
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 217

Zach Jarosz, Sports Director
Joliet Community YMCA
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 317

Kaeli Ford, Sports Director
Morris Hospital YMCA
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 523

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Have a Heart, Lend a Hand: Greater Joliet Area YMCA Invites Community to Participate in Volunteer Days of Service

To prepare for the busy summer season, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA is teaming up with its members, volunteers, staff, and local businesses to host Volunteer Days of Service at each of its facilities.

C.W. AVERY FAMILY YMCA
15120 Wallin Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544
Date: Friday, May 1
Time: 9 a.m.- Noon

MORRIS HOSPITAL YMCA
2200 W. Dupont Avenue
Morris, IL 60450
Date: Thursday, May 7
Time: 9 a.m.-Noon

VILLAGE OF SHOREWOOD YMCA
1801 W. Jefferson Street
Shorewood, IL 60404
Date: Wednesday, May 13
Time: 9 a.m.- Noon

JOLIET COMMUNITY YMCA
Hosted at Joliet Junior College
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431
Date: Friday, May 22
Time: 9 a.m.- Noon

Volunteer yourself or recruit a group of co-workers, friends, and family to join you for a great day of team building and giving back to your community! Volunteers must be 18 years of age. A complimentary lunch will be served for volunteers at 11:30 a.m.

To learn more, please contact the Executive Director at your local YMCA branch.

C.W. AVERY FAMILY YMCA
Erin Lightbody
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 238

MORRIS HOSPITAL YMCA
Jamie Heitman
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 515

JOLIET COMMUNITY YMCA
Brooke Hall
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 316

VILLAGE OF SHOREWOOD YMCA
Trisha Dust
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 327

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Teamwork Happens Here: Celebrating a Successful 2026 YBL Season

With the 2026 Youth Basketball League (YBL) season having drawn to a close, we’d like to send our sincere thanks to everyone who helped to make this winter such a memorable experience for young athletes in our community. With the support of our volunteer coaches, generous league sponsors, and community partners, we welcomed nearly 1,100 kids to basketball courts in Joliet, Plainfield, Morris, and Coal City this season.

At the Y, we know that our youth sports programs help to keep kids physically active. But, as we reflect on the past several months, we know that the impact YMCA programs can have on young athletes reaches way beyond what happens on the court during practices and games. In addition to staying active and healthy, kids who play sports develop higher self-esteem, perform better in school, and work better in groups. The YMCA’s YBL program teaches kids the fundamentals of the game of basketball while emphasizing the importance of learning to work together as a team. Most importantly, kids have a lot of fun!

YBL BY THE NUMBERS

1,089 – Athletes
108 – Teams
398 – Games Played
131 – Volunteer Coaches
More than 2,600 Volunteer Hours Served

We’d like to thank all of the athletes and their families, our volunteer coaches, and staff who participated in our YBL programs this year. We’d also like to thank our generous sponsors for helping to make this season possible: 

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Associated Orthodontists, LTD
Backroads Burger & Bar
Exxon Mobil Refinery
E-Z Auto Sales
Fighting Irish
Filotto Roofing
Floor Coverings Int’l
Greg’s Body Shop
Hamilton & Antonsen, Ltd.
Krown Lux
Martin Mechanical
Mike Pfaff – Edward Jones
Old National Bank
Plainfield Rotary
Raising Cane’s
Ron Tirapelli Ford
Sovereign
State Farm Agent Jackson Anderson
Stockton Wealth Management
Titan Construction
Turk Furniture
VNA Health Care

Joliet Community YMCA

Associated Orthodontists LTD
Contractors Association of Will & Grundy Counties
Exxon Mobil Refinery
Gifted Elite Academy
Hoopers 4 Life
Minor-Morris Funeral Home
MulticulturReal Communications, Inc.
Old National Bank
Pam Grant Sports Club
PeopleFirst Bank
Postnet Graphic Design & Printing
Ron Tirapelli Ford
State Farm Agent Jacks Anderson
State Farm – Howard Wright
Turk Furniture
Venas Vein Center
VNA Health Care

Morris Hospital YMCA

Advantage Realty – Steve Barr
Associated Orthodontists, LTD
Automotive Performance
Brandt Excavating, Inc.
Busey Bank
Contractors Association of Will & Grundy Counties
Country Farmhouse Cafe
Cross Town Realtors – Dana Hathorn
D. Construction, Inc
Dibble Enterprises
E-Z Auto Sales
Edward Jones
Elliott Electric
Feeney’s
Filotto Roofing
Findlay Real Estate Group
Fraternal Order of Eagles
Gene May Heating & Cooling
Honest Abe’s
L. Surges Custom Woodwork
Martin & Associates
Martin Mechanical
McCarthy Building Co.
Old National Bank
Pursuit Wealth Group
Raising Cane’s
Risen Renovations
Rolando’s Furniture & Appliances
Roth Jorstad Insurance
Sherwood Waffle Cafe
SkyHigh Coasters, LLC
State Farm – Mike Lucas
That Perennial Place
The Cove Nutrition
Turk Furniture
UC Davis – Callahan FH
Vital Signs Solutions, Inc
Zabel & Associates, PC
Zig’s Fairway Auto Repair.

We can’t wait to see everyone on the court next season!

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United Way