Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Meet Teen REACH Director Kim Voulgarakis

The 2023-24 school year is just getting started and the Galowich Family YMCA is excited for students to return to its Teen REACH after school program! Teen REACH provides free after school activities for students in Joliet School District 86’s four junior high schools, and we are so thrilled to welcome Kim Voulgarakis as she begins her first year as Program Director. By helping promote the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, and including a resource-rich curriculum that provides students with academic support, life skills education, recreational opportunities, mentorship, STEM, and service learning activities, Kim’s efforts in Teen REACH are an invaluable part of our Y community. You can learn more about Kim in the Q&A below!

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from and what did you do prior to joining the YMCA team?

I was born in South Korea and moved to the United States when I was adopted. I grew up in Arlington Heights and I earned my degree in Recreation and Park Administration from Illinois State University. My early work experience was in before and after school programs as well as summer camp programs in the northwest suburbs, and most recently I served as recreation program coordinator for the City of Dallas Parks and Recreation Department in Texas. I did everything from programming preschool activities to putting together events for seniors. Now I am excited to be a part of the Y team!

Q: Why do you have a passion for youth development?

I have a passion for youth development because there are a lot of challenges for teens in today’s world. I have personally seen the benefits of someone in a leadership position working to make a positive impact on the lives of teens and young adults, and I want to provide high quality programs for teens to experience recreation and education.  

Q: What stands out about the YMCA community and Y programs as a whole?

In my experience so far the Y’s overall culture and welcoming nature to everyone in the community is what stands out. 

Q: With the school year just about to start, what are you looking forward to as students begin before and after school activities in Teen REACH?

I’m really looking forward to meeting all the students for the first time and I can’t wait to see how they grow as individuals, establish goals, and achieve personal success through our program.  

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do outside of the Y?

I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my little sister. It’s great to be back closer to home.

To learn more about YMCA Teen REACH, click here.

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Celebrating a Successful 2023 Summer Camp Season at the YMCA

Our 2023 Summer Day Camp season officially came to a close earlier this month, and it was another incredible experience for everyone involved!  

We’d like to thank all of our camp families for spending the summer with us here at the YMCA. We hope you have a wonderful school year and look forward to seeing you back at camp next year.

We’d also like to thank all of our wonderful community partners who opened their doors and their hearts, allowing us to provide much-needed summer child care at locations throughout Will and Grundy Counties.

Finally, we’d like to thank our top-notch summer camp team for their endless energy, compassion, and creativity. Your hard work and tireless dedication helped to ensure that each of our campers had a summer full of fun and memories.

As we take a look back at the summer that was, let’s take a closer look at YMCA Summer Camp By the Numbers:

9 Camp Locations

With a little help from our friends, we hosted camps at our YMCA facilities and at offsite locations throughout the community. Thank you, Salvation Army Joliet Corps Community Center, Messiah Lutheran Church, Saratoga School District 60C, Plainfield School District 202, and Valley View School District 365U for helping us serve families this summer.

1,152 Campers

We are so proud to provide a memorable camp experience for each and every one of our amazing summer day campers. 

245 Counselors

Summer day camp would not be possible without the dedication, versatility, and inspiring leadership of our Summer Camp staff team.

48 Summer Day Camp Volunteers contributing 3,650 Volunteer Service Hours 

The support of volunteers was a pivotal resource during summer day camp as they provided assistance to Y staff, ensuring campers participated in a wide range of learning opportunities.

46 Field Trips

We were thrilled to help our campers go on exciting adventures! Whether it was catching a baseball game, taking a trip to the zoo, or enjoying a day at an amusement park, our campers got the chance to explore the community and make memories!

More than $74,000 raised by the YMCA’s Send a Kid to Camp Campaign 

At the Y, nobody is ever turned away due to the inability to pay. Nearly half the children who attend YMCA summer day camp programs receive financial assistance, and this is made possible by the incredible generosity of YMCA donors. This spring, our Send A Kid to Camp Campaign supporters generously funded 1,639 days of camp for children in our community.

We look forward to seeing you next summer. Camp registration for the summer of 2024 will get underway in March!

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Join the Y for Exciting Fab 50 Events and Programs This Fall

August 21 is World Senior Citizen’s Day and the Greater Joliet Area YMCA wants to celebrate by letting you know about the wonderful lineup of events and programs seniors can enjoy this fall at our Y branches!

Senior Health and Wellness Fair (Open to all Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facility Members and Community Members)
Festivities will promote healthy living and connect area seniors with a variety of resources in the Plainfield area. Stop by for raffles and giveaways, complimentary refreshments, and more!
Date: Wednesday, August 30
Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Cost: Free

Fab 50 Adventures (Open to all Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facility Members and Community Members)

Let’s Taco ‘Bout it Luncheon
You won’t have to go south of the border for this fiesta luncheon! Please join us for a Mexican feast and fellowship.
Date: Friday, September 8
Time: Noon-2 p.m.
Location: C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Cost: $12
REGISTER TODAY

Romeoville Area Historical Museum
Learn about the history of Romeoville and its surrounding communities through preserved artifacts, documents, and photographs! Lunch will be held at Tasty Waffle following the tour. 
Date: Monday, September 18
Time: 10 a.m.
Location:
14 Belmont Drive
Romeoville, IL 60446
Cost: $Free (Participants are responsible for the cost of their own lunch.)
REGISTER TODAY

Masquerade Murder Mystery at the Jacob Henry Mansion
Participants are invited to don evening wear, ball gowns, Venetian masks, suits, and tuxes for this high class night of masks and mystery solving. Event includes a self-guided tour of the Jacob Henry Mansion.
Date: Thursday, October 26
Time: 11:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Location: Jacob Henry Mansion, Joliet
Cost: $55 (Lunch included)
REGISTER TODAY

Macy’s Walnut Room
This trip to Chicago will get you in the holiday spirit! Enjoy a festive lunch and then explore the shops of Water Tower Plaza.
Date: Friday, November 17
Time: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location:
111 N State Street
Chicago, IL 60602
Cost: $TBD (Transportation included)
REGISTER TODAY

Cinderella Theatre Performance
Join us for a delicious lunch followed by a performance of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook.
Date: Thursday, December 14
Time: 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Location:
100 Drury Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Cost: $100 (Lunch included)
REGISTER TODAY

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Fab 50 Bowlers
Hit the lanes and enjoy great company!
Dates:
September 14 and 28
October 12 and 26
November 9
December 4
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Cost: $8 per session ($10 with shoes)
REGISTER TODAY

Fab 50 Walkers
Exercise the easiest way, with a group of your closet friends! Program is weather permitting.
Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:15-9 a.m.
Location: Various, meet at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Cost: Free and open to all

Fab 50 Social Hour
Join this social group that meets weekly for fun and fellowship.
Time: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m-12 p.m.
Location: C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Cost: Free and open to all

Galowich Family YMCA

Fab 50 Potluck
Join this social group that meets weekly for fun and fellowship. Bring your favorite dish to share!
Date: Wednesday, September 13
Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Location: Galowich Family YMCA
Cost: Free and open to all
REGISTER TODAY

Fab 50 Halloween Bash
Put on your dancing shoes and your spookiest costume because the Galowich Family YMCA is inviting the community to a Halloween Bash! Join us for an afternoon of fun and fellowship with entertainment provided by Sandi Haynes and the Blue Rocket Band!
Date: Wednesday, October 25
Time: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: Galowich Family YMCA
Cost: $15
REGISTER TODAY

Fab 50 Crafters
Enjoy an afternoon with fellow Y members and friends while making crafts. All craft supplies will be provided.
Date: Wednesday, October 11
Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Location: Galowich Family YMCA
Cost: Free and open to all
REGISTER TODAY

Intro to Pickleball
Invite a friend and join us for a game or two of this popular, new paddle sport designed for players of all skill levels.
Dates and Times:
Tuesdays (6:15-7:45 p.m.)
Fridays (9-10:30 a.m.)
Location: Galowich Family YMCA
Cost: Free for Facility Members/$5 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

Morris Community YMCA

Fab 50 Game Club
The Fab 50 Game Club is a group that meets for fun and fellowship. We mingle with friends, play games, and have potlucks, all while having a great time.
Dates: September 7, October 12, November 9, December 11
Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Location: Morris Community YMCA
Cost: Free for Facility Members/$5 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

Fab 50 Walkers
Come join us for an outdoor walk! Program is weather permitting.
Date and Time: Fridays 9-10 a.m.
Location: Various, meet at Morris Community YMCA
Cost: Free for Facility Members/$5 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

Pickleball
Invite a friend and join us for a game or two of this popular, new paddle sport designed for players of all skill levels. No class Monday, September 4th Labor Day.
Dates and Times:
Mondays and Wednesdays (10-11:30 a.m.)
Tuesdays and Thursdays (7:30-9 p.m.)
Location: Shabbona Middle School Gym
Cost: $24 for Facility Members, $48 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

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Meet Galowich Family YMCA Before and After Care Director Tori Dutkiewicz

This week marks the start of the 2023-24 school year and the Y is ready to once again welcome students into our before and after school Kid Zone program! Before and After Care Director Tori Dutkiewicz is starting her first year at the helm of Kid Zone for the Galowich Family YMCA, which provides on-site care to children at schools in Joliet School District 86, Troy CCSD 30C, and Rockdale School District 84. We are so excited to have Tori on the Y team, and you can learn more about her in the Q&A below!

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from and what did you do prior to joining the YMCA team?

I was born and raised in Joliet and attended Troy 30C schools, as well as Joliet West High School. I attended Benedictine University where I earned my bachelor’s degree in social sciences with a minor in education. I am currently working to finish my master’s degree in child and adolescent development psychology. Prior to joining the Y, I worked in education for 12 years, with experience as a paraprofessional and Kindergarten teacher.

Q: Why do you have a passion for youth development?

Knowing that I have a tiny part in the growth and development of children in our Kid Zone program encourages me to do what I do. I find joy in helping kids discover their passions, accomplish tasks they might find challenging, and create new friendships. I have extensive experience working in special education classrooms and consider myself an advocate for inclusion. I believe in providing a safe space for children to grow and thrive as they become leaders for future generations.

Q: What stands out about the YMCA community and Y programs as a whole?

There is nothing like the community here at the Y! I remember participating in swim programs at the Galowich Family YMCA as a kid, and the experience was fantastic! Now on a day-to-day basis, I see how dedicated YMCA staff members are developing and maintaining programs for children and families. Everyone is genuinely friendly and willing to assist in any way they can. They put their heart and soul into everything they do. The way we keep our members and program participants at the forefront of our mission is another key way that Y programs stand out.

Q: With the school year getting underway, what are you looking forward to as students begin before and after school activities at Kid Zone?

I am looking forward to watching new friendships form and play a role in how children progress throughout the year. It’s so rewarding to be able to serve the community I grew up in. I am excited for the kids to experience the fun activities we have planned for them! 

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do outside of the Y?

When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and dog. We love to travel and find new dog-friendly cities to explore. We also attend sporting events together! We love to watch hockey, baseball, and football. In my spare time, I also like to read and practice yoga.

To learn more about YMCA Kid Zone, click here.

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Back to School One-Day Membership Sale

Join the Y on Friday, August 18 and pay a $0 Joiner’s Fee and No Membership Dues until your first draft – a savings of up to $150!*

*Monthly membership dues will be drafted on the 28th of each month, beginning August 28.

Join Now

OUR FACILITY MEMBERS ENJOY:

Access to Three Branches
Your membership gives you unlimited use of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s four YMCA locations, including:

  • Two indoor pools and our family aquatic center, all fully programmed with activities for the entire family, including family swim time, swim lessons, aquatic fitness programs and lap lane access.
  • Three wellness centers, all equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment.
  • Free fitness orientations and daily group exercise classes (programs vary by location).

Quality Programming
In addition to our free group exercise classes, the Y offers year-round swimming lessons, sports programs and personal training, among a slew of other options. You can check out a full list of our programming by taking a look at our Fall Session Schedules. Registration is underway!

Child Care
If you have a Family Membership, you can drop your child(ren) off at our supervised playroom while you exercise.

Free Basic Access to the YMCA On the Go App
The On the Go App will provide Y members with access to the YMCA 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This new interactive tool is loaded with free workouts, on-demand videos, and nutrition tips.

Free Access to the My Y Rewards Program
Upon enrolling in the My Y Rewards Program, you’ll 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.

So Much More
A complete list of member benefits can be found here.

THREE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

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

Galowich Family YMCA
749 Houbolt Road, Joliet IL 60431

Morris Community YMCA
320 Wauponsee St, Morris, IL 60450

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JETS Swimmers Compete at Illinois YMCA Swimming Long Course State Championship

The JETS Swim Team had an incredible showing at this summer’s Illinois YMCA Swimming Long Course State Championship! The boys team placed third overall while the girls team placed fifth, and the combined team finished fourth overall. In total, the team took home 178 Top-10 medals with the following swimmers topping the podium as state champions:

Evan Johnson (8U Boys 200 Meter Freestyle, 50 Meter Backstroke, 50 Meter Butterfly, and 200 Meter IM)

Ryan Bates (21U Boys 100 Meter Freestyle and 200 Meter Freestyle)

Ion Siminoi (12U Boys 100 Meter Butterfly)

Levi Carlisle, Evan Johnson, Logan Despojo, and Rocco Nazerian (10U Boys 200 Meter Freestyle Relay, 200 Meter Medley Relay)

Jaelyn Habon, Evan Johnson, Logan Despojo, and Aurelia Watson (10U Mixed 200 Meter Medley Relay)

FULL MEDALIST LIST

“The kids work hard day in and day out to get better and to reach their goals for the end of the season, so it’s an extremely satisfying feeling when hard work pays off,” Director of Competitive Aquatics Dave Hedden said. “Our team has a lot of young kids who enjoy being around each other, enjoy working hard together, and are starting to see what’s out there for them to achieve, and they’re getting really motivated to reach new levels. After competing really well at the state level, our next step as a team is achieving at the national level.”

We are so proud of all 45 swimmers who competed during the championships, and we wish them well during the upcoming fall season! 

Swimmers interested in joining the JETS are encouraged to attend one of the team’s Fall Clinics. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the team and to meet our coaching staff. Throughout the week, coaches will be evaluating swimmers for team placement. A YMCA membership is not required to participate in the clinic, but swimmers must have a YMCA Facility Membership to join the team.

Cost: $25

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Ages 6-10
Dates: August 28-30
Time: 5-6 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY (Wait list only)

Ages 11-17
Dates: August 28-30
Time: 6-7 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY 

Galowich Family YMCA

Ages 6-17
Dates: August 29-31
Time: 5-6 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

To learn more about the JETS, please contact:

Dave Hedden
Director of Competitive Aquatics
[email protected]

You can also see additional updates on the JETS Facebook page.

 

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