Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Swim, Bike, Run: YMCA ‘Lazyman’ Triathlon Health and Wellness Challenge

March 9-April 20

The Y wants to help members get energized this spring with our ‘Lazyman’ Triathlon Challenge!

Tracking workouts at your own pace, you will have six weeks to accumulate the traditional distances of an Ironman triathlon:

  • 2.4 mile swim (170 lengths of the pool)
  • 112 mile bike ride
  • 26.2 mile run/walk

Beginning Monday, March 9, participants can pick up a tracking sheet from the Membership Desk. Completed sheets must be turned in by April 20. At the end of the challenge, all participants will be entered into a raffle and one lucky winner from each Y branch will receive a special prize!

Cost: $5, open to Facility Members only

REGISTRATION OPENS FEBRUARY 7

To register online, select your Y by branch below:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Galowich Family YMCA

Morris Hospital YMCA

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Morris Hospital YMCA Set to Offer New Teen Programming

The Morris Hospital YMCA is excited to announce special program offerings for kids ages 11-15! These activities, which are made possible by grant funding from the Community Foundation of Grundy County, will be free and open to the community!

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required.

Teen Crafters
Stop by for fun Arts/STEAM craft projects!

Monday, February 16 – Keychain Making/Lip Gloss
2-3:30 p.m.

Monday, March 30 – DIY Bath Bomb & Make Up Bag
2-3:30 p.m.

Friday, April 24 – Bracelet Making
5-6:30 p.m.

Friday, May 22 – Succulent Gardens
5-6:30 p.m.

REGISTER ONLINE

Teens in the Kitchen
Stop by to make delicious recipes! Activities held from 6-7 p.m.

Tuesday, February 10
Tuesday, March 10
Tuesday, April 7
Tuesday, May 5 

REGISTER ONLINE

Teen Open Gym
Stop by for fun sports and games! Activities held from 5:30- 6:30 p.m.

Friday, February 20 – Pickleball
Friday, March 20 – Volleyball
Friday, April 17 – Dodgeball
Friday, May 22 – Basketball 

REGISTER ONLINE

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Charter Memberships On Sale Now for the New Village of Shorewood YMCA

We are so excited for the future Village of Shorewood YMCA! Located on Route 52 in Shorewood, this wonderful new facility is set to open later this spring. And now, you can demonstrate your support for the Y’s mission by becoming Charter Member! Charter Memberships are currently on sale and can be purchased through February 28.

As a Charter Member, you’ll enjoy unparalleled benefits, special perks, and a front-row seat to our grand opening:

PRIORITY ACCESS IN APRIL 2026
Charter Members will be among the first to experience our new state-of-the-art facility and innovative programs.

COMMEMORATIVE GIFTS
Charter Members will receive a welcome kit packed with exciting one-of-a-kind YMCA gear and grand opening gifts.

EXCLUSIVE EVENTS
Charter Members will be invited to an exclusive preview event during our Grand Opening week in April.

RECOGNITION ON DONOR SIGNAGE
The everlasting legacy of each Charter Member will also be honored on a permanent donor sign, displayed within the new building.

SPECIAL SAVINGS AVAILABLE FOR CURRENT YMCA MEMBERS
Stop by the Membership Desk of your local Y branch during your next visit or contact Membership Operations Director Michele Claysen at (815) 782-0818 or via email at [email protected] to learn more about these savings!

PLEASE NOTE: A Charter Membership is a one-time donation that includes Founding Member status, recognition, and commemorative gifts. To enjoy access to the new Village of Shorewood YMCA when it opens, Charter Members will also need to become Facility Members and begin paying regular monthly dues starting in April 2026. Facility Memberships will be available beginning March 1, 2026.

PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT TODAY!
To become a Charter Member, please click below:

PURCHASE A CHARTER MEMBERSHIP

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Celebrate American Heart Month at the YMCA

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is proud to join our healthcare partners at Endeavor Health and Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers in celebrating American Heart Month with a special day of activities on Friday, February 6!

WEAR RED RAFFLE

Members who help raise awareness for heart health by wearing red to the Y will be entered into a raffle for awesome Y swag!

HEART HEALTHY SNACKS

Stop by the Membership Desk of your local Y branch for free food giveaways!

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Galowich Family YMCA
9-10:30 a.m.

Morris Hospital YMCA
9-10:30 a.m.

HEART MONTH COLORING ACTIVITIES

Kids will have the opportunity to show off their creativity and raise awareness about the importance of heart health by downloading a special coloring sheet below or picking up a coloring sheet at the Membership Desk.

COLORING SHEET

Stop by and see us!

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My Y Rewards Special February Earnings Event

At the Y, we know that maintaining a consistent health and wellness routine in the winter is a difficult task. That is why we are excited to help you stay on track with our My Y Rewards ‘February 15’ Challenge! Members enrolled in the My Y Rewards program who check in at the Y at least 15 times during the month of February will receive 150 bonus points.

The My Y Rewards program is free and available to Facility Members, ages 16 and up. If you aren’t already a rewards member, learn how to enroll by clicking below.

ENROLL TODAY

Upon enrolling in the My Y Rewards Program, you’ll also earn points each time you check in, take a class, or refer a friend to the Y. In fact, you’ll earn your first 50 points for simply enrolling in the program. You can then redeem your points for fun Y swag and program and membership credits.

If you have any questions or any feedback on the My Y Rewards Program, please be sure to stop by the Membership Desk during your next visit or email [email protected].

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Celebrate the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Centennial with Decades Week Group Fitness Classes

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026, marking a century of service, leadership, and impact.

To help commemorate this historic milestone, the health and wellness teams from all Greater Joliet Area YMCA branches are encouraging members to participate in special ‘Decades Week’ group fitness classes throughout the year.

The celebration begins next week with ‘Peace, Love, and Fitness’ of the 60’s! We are going back to the groovy hippie days – a time of flower power, harmony, and good vibes. Can you dig it? See below for details.

Galowich Family YMCA and Morris Hospital YMCA
Members are encouraged to wear their 60’s themed attire in any class between February 2-8.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Members are encouraged to wear their 60’s themed attire in any class between February 2-8. The following classes will also feature music from the era:

Cycle/Sculpt
Tuesday, February 3
9:15 a.m.

WERQ
Wednesday, February 4
7 p.m.

Barre Above
Friday, February 6
8:15 a.m.

Group Cycle
Saturday, February 7
7:30 a.m.

Founded in 1926, the YMCA is one of the area’s leading nonprofit organizations, strengthening our community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. To learn more about our Centennial Celebration, click here. 

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United Way