Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Golf and Dinner Tickets for the 2026 Mission Strong Golf Classic Now on Sale

As the Greater Joliet Area YMCA celebrates its Centennial Anniversary in 2026, we invite you to join us for the fifth annual Mission Strong Golf Classic on Monday, August 31 at Morris Country Club. Generously presented by Midland States Bank, proceeds from this year’s event will support the Mission Strong Fund, helping ensure that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay.

Now in its fifth year, the Mission Strong Golf Classic has raised more than $250,000 to support children, adults, and families throughout our community.

Make your plans to join us for an exciting day on the course, which will include:

  • 18 holes of golf with a cart
  • Lunch and complimentary beverages on the course
  • A cocktail reception, dinner, and awards
  • A welcome gift, course games, prizes, raffles, and more

Secure your foursome or purchase dinner tickets online by clicking below.

PURCHASE FOURSOMES/DINNER TICKETS

We look forward to seeing you on the course for a great day of golf!

To learn more about the 2026 Mission Strong Golf Classic, please contact:

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

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100 Years, 100 Laps: YMCA Announces Centennial Swim Challenge

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is celebrating our 100th anniversary in 2026! To help recognize this milestone, our aquatics team is inviting members to participate in a special Centennial Swim Challenge!

Here’s how it works:

Participants will have from May 1-July 31 to swim 100 lengths of the pool (beginner swimmers) or 100 full laps in the pool (advanced swimmers).

Once registered, participants will be able to pick up a tracking sheet by visiting the Membership Desk of their local Y branch. All participants will receive a commemorative shirt, sticker, and a YMCA water-resistant cinch bag.

Cost: $25, open to Facility Members only.

Registration closes on May 11. So don’t delay! Dive in, challenge yourself, and be part of our centennial celebration!

REGISTER TODAY

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YMCA Centennial Celebration: Help Us Tell Our Community’s Y Story

For 100 years, the YMCA has helped shape the stories of individuals and families living in our community. Each person’s Y story is unique – improving health, supporting children, building friendships, or finding a place to belong.

As we celebrate the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Centennial Anniversary in 2026, we invite you to share how the Y has made a difference in your life.

Share How the YMCA Has Helped You

Members of all ages are invited to celebrate the Y’s Centennial Anniversary by sharing their Y story:

  1. Pick up a “Because of the YMCA” sign at the Membership Desk during your next visit or download a sign by clicking below.

    BECAUSE OF THE YMCA

  2. Write a few words describing how the YMCA has made an impact in your life.
  3. Email a photo (landscape orientation) of you holding your sign to [email protected].

Together, we’ll celebrate a century of impact by sharing these stories on social media and in our marketing materials throughout 2026!

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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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Introducing the YMCA Centennial Anniversary Store

As the Greater Joliet Area YMCA proudly celebrates its 100th Anniversary throughout 2026, we are excited to introduce our new Centennial Anniversary Store! Featuring dozens of YMCA apparel items, this new store offers a meaningful way for members and the community to commemorate 100 years of YMCA impact, connection, and service across Will and Grundy Counties.

The Centennial Anniversary 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.

Thank you for being part of our journey over the past 100 years. We invite you to shop the Centennial Anniversary Store, celebrate this milestone with us, and help carry the Y’s legacy into our next century of service.

SHOP NOW

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Members Invited to Participate in Centennial Check-In Challenge

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026! And, to help inspire members during this year-long celebration, we’re excited to announce the YMCA Centennial Check-In Challenge!

Here’s how it works:

YMCA Facility Members who check in at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA branch 100 times or more by December 15, 2026 will be entered into a drawing to win a free 1-Year Membership to the YMCA. (Some restrictions apply.)

One winner from each branch will be announced on Friday, December 18, 2026.

Get started by visiting your local Y branch today:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 Wallin Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544

Galowich Family YMCA
749 Houbolt Road
Joliet IL 60431

Morris Hospital YMCA
2200 W. Dupont Avenue
Morris, IL 60450

We can’t wait to see you!

For more information about the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Centennial Anniversary celebration, click here.

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