C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris
June 26-July 6SAVE $10 when you register for Summer Sports Camps during this special sale!
Valid for a July or August 2026 summer sports camp at any branch of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA.
Use promo code: SPORTSCAMPS26 when registering online. Register today by clicking below.
PLEASE NOTE: Camps vary by location.
YMCA sports programs not only provide opportunities for children to stay active, in many instances they serve as a foundation for strong family relationships. In the case of Joliet Community YMCA volunteer Rayvan Richardson, becoming a Youth Basketball League (YBL) coach has opened the door to rewarding experiences with her sons – Corey (age 11), Glenn (age 9), and Josiah (age 7).
“The most rewarding part is being able to bond with my sons and connect with them. Basketball is a sport that I played and now they have a passion for it,” Rayvan said.
Rayvan, who served as a volunteer coach for the first time last season, said her decision to get involved at the Y was inspired in part by a conversation with her son, Corey.
“I don’t know if he was joking at first when he said ‘Mom you should coach my team,’ but I thought to myself ‘You know what, I should. I take you to practice anyway.’ And because volunteering is very important to help our youth, I felt I should give back.”
Rayvan said building confidence in children is the most important aspect of YMCA sports programs.
“I feel like the Y brings kids together in a positive environment and allows them to be active. I always use my kids as an example. They stay busy, have fun, and make new friends. It’s important to start them young so as they grow older they’ve had some positivity in their lives,” she said.
She also believes coaching provides an outlet for personal development.
“It does teach you a lot more patience and I learned what helps is being an active participant in practice. Sometimes I’ll get into the drills with them because I feel like, if you put yourself out there, they have a little more fun and a little more inspiration to get the work done. And I end up feeling like a kid again myself.”
The impact of volunteering goes beyond Y programs, as Rayvan said it has strengthened ties to the community in her day-to-day life.
“You meet new people and sometimes I’ll see a family at the store and they go ‘Hey that’s coach!’ It’s a joy to make those connections outside the Y,” she said.
Overall, it’s an experience that has Rayvan already looking forward to next season.
“I love the kids and being around them. I’m so excited to come back next year,” she said.
We are so proud to have Rayvan as a volunteer and thank her for her efforts to support youth development in our community. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer coach in the Y’s fall youth sports leagues, you can sign up by clicking here.
Over the past several weeks, generous Y supporters came together to raise more than $205,000 to help send kids to YMCA camp this summer!
Because of this incredible generosity, our 2026 Send a Kid to Camp Campaign was truly one for the record books – providing more than 4,100 days of camp for children in our community.
Whether by making a personal gift, sharing information about our 2026 Send a Kid to Camp Campaign on social media, or inviting friends and family members to learn more about the Y’s youth development work, we want to thank everyone in the Y community for making an AMAZING difference. With the help of charitable, kids have the opportunity to experience a summer filled with friendship, confidence, and unforgettable memories.
While this year’s campaign has officially come to a close, there’s still time to support the YMCA’s mission and help create opportunities for kids and families all year long.
Thank you for your careful consideration and commitment to making a difference for the kids in our community.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all gifts to the Greater Joliet Area YMCA are tax-deductible.
This weekend, the JETS Swim Team will host the 51st Annual Summer Classic Swim Meet at Lake Central High School in St. John, Indiana. As the team prepares to welcome more than 600 athletes to the event, the Y would like to highlight one of the amazing volunteers who makes the Summer Classic possible – JETS Parent Advisory Council (JPAC) Chair Dawn Stephens.
“Dawn has been immensely helpful over the past several years in a couple key leadership roles as JPAC Chair and Meet Director,” Director of Competitive Aquatics Dave Hedden said. “She leads monthly meetings with parent volunteers who organize fundraising efforts and help host swim meets and other special events throughout the year.”
Dawn’s journey with the JETS began seven years ago when her children, Laura and Tristan, were looking to make the jump from YMCA swim lessons to competitive swimming.
“At that time, my daughter was going into eighth grade and my son was going into sixth grade. We wanted the kids to be able to swim in high school and learned high school coaches typically want kids to have at least a year on a club team. We were able to talk to one of the coaches at the Y and we have been a JETS family ever since,” Dawn said.
Dawn said she was eager to support the team as a volunteer right from beginning,
“I joined the JPAC as soon as I found out that the group existed. During our first fall parent meeting I saw a few of the JPAC parents talking about the things they did for the team and I wanted to be involved,” she said.
Dawn says she felt welcomed right away with a strong culture of support emanating throughout the program.
“Parents that had been involved a little bit longer didn’t leave me floundering. It’s a community that helps put it all together for you. Nothing is ever dumped on you. We always reach out to see what parents can handle, what they can help with. You’ll never be left alone,” she said.
Dawn has gone on to help with preparations for multiple Summer Classic Meets, and said that this year’s edition will be the largest during her time with the JETS.
“In order to have the meet run successfully we need more than 200 volunteer slots filled. Many of those slots are timers, but we also have marshals that organize swimmers on the deck and off the deck, safety/first aid support, hospitality, and concessions. And, as we work through the volunteer schedules, we make sure to work it out so parents are still able to watch their kids swim. Being able to coordinate all of that and make sure that the meet is successful is incredibly rewarding,” she said.
Hedden shared that the volunteer support doesn’t go unnoticed by the JETS coaching staff.
“Volunteers are essential to our team, and also the sport of swimming in general. Dawn is calm under pressure and is always willing to lend a hand, and I am very grateful for all of her efforts,” Hedden said.
The Y thanks Dawn and all the incredible volunteers that will make this weekend’s meet a special experience for swimmers and their families.
And, as a reminder, there is still time to help support the JETS as a meet volunteer. To learn more, please contact:
Dave Hedden
[email protected]
(815) 782-0805
The Chairman’s Roundtable (CRT) recognizes major donors whose annual charitable giving totals $1,000 or more in a calendar year. We honor CRT donors with special recognition according to their giving level. All CRT Partners are celebrated with custom banners displayed for a year at the branch of their choice.
Donor banners are displayed year-round in our three Greater Joliet Area YMCA locations, which welcome more than 775,000 visitors each year.
HOW TO BECOME A CRT DONOR
Contact the Development Team at (815) 782-0502 to pledge your gift of $1,000 or more.
All CRT donors have the opportunity to customize their banner. Please Note: CRT Donors will be asked to approve a final proof of their custom banner before it is printed. Customization details can be found below.
Our Development Team will notify donors when their banner has been hung in the YMCA location of their choice, so you can plan a visit to the Y and see it on display.
Platinum Partner through Visionary ($5,000 and up)
36″x72″ Custom Banner
Displayed at 3 YMCA Locations
Gold Partner ($3,000 and up)
36″x72″ Custom Banner
Displayed at 2 YMCA Locations of Your Choice
Silver Partner ($1,000-$2,999)
24″x36″ Custom Banner
Displayed at 1 YMCA Location of Your Choice
And don’t forget, now is the perfect time to give during our 2026 Send a Kid to Campaign. Learn more and donate online today by clicking here.
We know that the start of summer is an exciting time at the Y. To help our members make the most of their Y experience, here are a few friendly reminders :
Swim Lessons
YMCA summer session programs begin on June 1 and Early Bird pricing for Summer 1 swim lessons is available through Tuesday, May 26. Be sure to register before the Early Bird deadline to SAVE!
Facility Schedules
Members can find up to date facility schedules using the YMCA On the Go App or by clicking here.
Locks and Locker Usage
Lockers are available for daily use and YMCA members and guests are encouraged to bring locks to secure their belongings while visiting the Y. Items may not be stored in lockers overnight. Locks may be purchased at the Membership Desk.
Parking Lot Traffic
Please note that Summer Day Camp activities will begin across YMCA branches throughout the next week. All Y visitors should be aware of increased traffic during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times. We encourage members and guests to use caution and slow speeds at all times when navigating parking lots.
