Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Galowich Family YMCA Offering Free Swim Lesson Sampler Classes from January 23-25

The Galowich Family YMCA is offering FREE swim lesson sampler classes for kids, ages 3-13. Free and open to the community, this is a great opportunity for families to learn more about the YMCA’s swim lesson program. As part of the class, participants will complete a swim test to determine the best starting level for their first lesson at the Y!

DATES AND TIMES

Thursday, January 23 and Friday, January 24
Classes are available from 4:50-5:20 p.m., 5:25-5:55 p.m., and 6:00-6:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 25
Classes are available from 11:15-11:45 a.m. and 11:50 a.m-12:20 p.m.

Spots are limited, so register today!

REGISTER TODAY

If you have any questions about swim lessons at the YMCA, please contact:

Catie Wallis
Galowich Family YMCA Aquatics Director
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 320

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Set to Offer New NFL FLAG Football Leagues This Spring

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is excited to offer new NFL FLAG Football Leagues this spring. NFL FLAG is the largest flag football league in the U.S., and the only league where players can wear official NFL gear. Kids of all ages and skill levels will participate in a safe, non-contact environment, allowing boys and girls the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of football. In this program everyone plays, and everyone has fun!

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
League Dates: April 28-July 12
Age Divisions: 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, and 13-14
REGISTER ONLINE

Galowich Family YMCA
League Dates: April 28-July 12
Age Divisions: 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-14, and 14-17
REGISTER ONLINE

Morris Hospital YMCA
League Dates: April 28-Jun 28
Age Divisions: 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, and 13-14
REGISTER ONLINE

Event locations, and practice/game schedules vary by branch. All participants will receive an NFL jersey and flag belt. Mouthguards are required and gloves are recommended. Rubber cleats are recommended, but gym shoes are also allowed. Metal cleats are not allowed. Participants are asked to wear pants/shorts that do not have pockets while competing in games.

Learn more here.

SPRING 2025 REGISTRATION FEES

Prior to February 25
$115 for Facility Members
$230 for Community Members

February 25-March 31
$125 for Facility Members
$250 for Community Members

April 1 and Beyond
$135 for Facility Members
$270 for Community Members

If you have any questions, please contact the sports department at your local Y branch:

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

Galowich Family YMCA
Zach Jarosz, Sports Manager
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 317

Morris Hospital YMCA
Chris Interial, Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 514

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Announces Winter College Tour

Each year, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Teen Achievers program helps students broaden their understanding of possible options for their post-secondary education by organizing tours to colleges and universities throughout the Midwest. These events guide students as they set and achieve high educational, professional, and personal goals, serving as a stepping stone for them to discover their identities, embrace their passions, and become their best selves. 

And now, the Y is excited to announce the first tour of 2025!

Location: Western Illinois University
Date: Monday, February 17

Participants will depart from the Galowich Family YMCA, located at 749 Houbolt Road in Joliet, at 7 a.m. with scheduled return to the Y no later than 6 p.m. Finalized trip itineraries will be communicated the week prior to the tour.

Cost: $30 (includes lunch and transportation)

Registration is underway! College tours are open to the community and spots are limited, so don’t delay!

REGISTER TODAY

Registration Deadline: Registration and payment must be received by Thursday, February 13.

The Y will also host additional tours later this spring. Trip and registration details will be available soon.  

To learn more about the YMCA’s Teen Achievers program click here or contact: 

Brooke Hall
Operations Director – Joliet Youth Development Team
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 316

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Morris Hospital YMCA Welcomes Community with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House


The Morris Hospital YMCA was proud to welcome the community to a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House on Saturday, January 11. 

Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair said that the celebration was the perfect way to culminate a project nearly 20 years in the making. 

“This building is a beacon of hope, a place of connection, and a space where people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can come together to learn, grow, and thrive. It’s where our shared vision of strengthening the foundations of our community will come to life and impact Grundy County residents for generations to come,” Leclair said. “To our donors, volunteers, our partners at Morris Hospital, the City of Morris, Grundy County, and to all of our YMCA members, I’d like to thank you for believing in the Y’s mission and making this dream a reality.” 

The new YMCA facility, which was made possible thanks to the largest charitable fundraising effort in Grundy County history, has now welcomed more than 4,000 visitors since opening its doors on December 16.

Additional Ribbon Cutting Speakers Included:
Christina Van Yperen, Grundy County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO
Donna Jeschke, Morris Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet Volunteer
Cheri Rubocki, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board of Directors Chairman
Tom Dohm, Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers President and CEO
Mayor Chris Brown, City of Morris
State Senator Sue Rezin, Illinois – 38th District
Missy Durkin, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Business Development Officer
Kevin Olson, Morris Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet Co-Chair
Guy Christensen, Morris Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet Co-Chair
Jamie Heitman, Morris Hospital YMCA Executive Director

At the conclusion of the Ribbon Cutting, the YMCA hosted a Community Open House from 1-4 p.m., which featured a wide range of activities, including facility tours, program demonstrations, group exercise classes, face painting, and arts and crafts. WCSJ was also onsite broadcasting live throughout the event.

Representatives from Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers were also on hand to provide tours of the Hospital’s new cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, physical, occupational and speech therapy, and cardiovascular and orthopedics and sports medicine spaces, which are located within the YMCA.   

Open House attendees also had the chance to participate in special raffles and giveaways, and pick up a commemorative grand opening t-shirt.

If you are interested in joining the Morris Hospital YMCA, now is the perfect time as our January Membership Sale is underway! You can join online today or by visiting the Y at 2200 W. Dupont Avenue in Morris.

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Tickets Now On Sale for the 2025 YMCA Gala

The 2025 YMCA Gala, generously presented by Midland States Bank, will be held on Saturday, February 22, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. Tickets for this must-attend event are now on sale!

Since its inception, the Y’s signature fundraising event has raised nearly $1.8 million to benefit families within our community. Join us as we celebrate charitable giving at the YMCA by showcasing the Y’s impact in our community and the generous donors who help to make our mission come to life each and every day.

This elegant evening will include:

  • A cocktail hour, dinner, and open bar
  • Silent and Live auctions
  • Raise the Paddle giving opportunities
  • Wine Pull and Heads or Tails raffles
  • Live entertainment and dancing

Funds raised from this year’s event will benefit the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, helping to ensure that no one is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay.

PURCHASE GALA TICKETS TODAY

INSPIRING GENEROSITY
At this year’s Gala, the Y will also present the C.W. and J.L. Avery Philanthropic Award to Jackie Wohlwend in recognition of her family’s generous and inspiring charitable support of the Morris Hospital YMCA

LEARN MORE
For more details about remaining sponsorship opportunities, or to purchase a YMCA Gala cash raffle ticket, visit our event headquarters.

If you have questions about the YMCA Gala, please 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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Helping You Live Better: YMCA Members Invited to Participate in Fit4U Introductory Health and Wellness Program

If you are looking to start a new fitness routine in 2025 and don’t know where to begin, or if you have taken a break from exercise and want to get back on track, the Y’s new Fit4U program is for you! This FREE introductory health and wellness program offers guidance, knowledge, and motivation to help you lead a healthier lifestyle and become more physically active. The comprehensive 4-week program will introduce you to Wellness Center amenities, help you set goals, and design a workout program that works best for you. Each appointment will introduce you to a new element of fitness under the guidance of a Wellness Attendant.

PART 1: GETTING STARTED AND BASELINE TESTS

During this opening session, we will assess your current fitness level, set goals, get body composition (if requested), and complete our Fit4U questionnaire. You will have the opportunity to get set up on the YMCA on the Go App and begin orientation on any cardiovascular equipment (treadmills, ellipticals and bikes) that interests you.

PART 2: CARDIO REVIEW AND UPPER BODY STRENGTH

This session will reinforce the basics of using cardio equipment and add instruction of upper body strength equipment based on your fitness goals.

PART 3: LOWER BODY STRENGTH TRAINING

The third session will introduce lower body strength equipment based on your fitness goals and review progress on your new fitness schedule.

PART 4: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

In this closing session, we will review and answer any additional questions related to cardio or strength equipment, workout progressions, and Personal Training options.

Open to Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facility Members Only.

REGISTER TODAY

To learn more about Fit4U, please contact your local Y branch:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Kristen Derengowski
Health, Wellness and Dance Director
[email protected]

Galowich Family YMCA
Alissa Koenig
Health and Wellness Director
[email protected]

Morris Hospital YMCA
Ro Petersen
Health and Wellness Director
[email protected]

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