At the Y, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive at summer day camp, but we can’t do it alone. Last summer, more than half of the children who attended YMCA camp did so with the support of our financial assistance program – made possible by the generosity of donors.
And with our 2026 Send a Kid to Camp Campaign in full swing, we are excited to announce an incredible $20,000 donation from Constellation. This gift will help support the camp experience of 80 children this summer.
“We are so grateful for the kindness of local businesses like Constellation and the impact charitable giving has on children in our community,” Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Business Development Officer Missy Durkin said. “Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference in helping the Y fulfill our mission of creating safe educational spaces for kids. We can’t thank Constellation enough for their commitment to a shared vision of youth development.”
To ensure that the Y’s mission will continue to thrive and help those kids in our community who need it most, we invite you to make a donation to our Send a Kid to Camp today by clicking here.
Pictured in top photo: (L-R) Morris Hospital YMCA Executive Director Jamie Heitman, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Business Development Officer Missy Durkin, Constellation Outage Scheduler Ryan Stapleton, Constellation Facilities and Maintenance Staff Member Rebecca Perez, Constellation Rad Protection and Site Impact Staff Member Rachel Lobb, Constellation Community Relations Manager Val Runner, Morris Hospital YMCA Youth and Family Director Jordan Overton, Constellation Mechanical Maintenance Staff Member Tony Drapal, and Morris Hospital YMCA Youth and Family Manager Maggie Fowler.
At the Y, we understand that when kids play sports, they do more than just exercise. Besides being physically active, they develop higher self-esteem, perform better in school and work better in groups. The Y’s youth sports programs go above and beyond teaching the fundamentals of the game by emphasizing the importance of teamwork. And, it’s our dedicated sports instructors that help to guide and train our young athletes at the Greater Joliet Area YMCA.
May 15-18, 2026
YMCA camp offers many of the same benefits of a traditional camp, such as new experiences, skill building, a sense of community, and lasting friendships. However, the Y’s passionate summer day camp team makes Y camp second to none. Every day, our energetic summer camp crew works hard to give camp participants an unforgettable summer. And, behind every great team, are great leaders.
The Morris Hospital YMCA is partnering with Lee Family Martial Arts to offer a 10-week beginner Taekwondo class led by a professional Taekwondo Master. Starting the week of June 1, classes will be held weekly on either Mondays or Fridays and provide a great introduction for anyone interested in learning the fundamentals of Taekwondo. Participants will have the option to purchase a uniform and participate in belt testing; however, both are completely optional.
This week is National Hospital Week, which celebrates hospitals and all the amazing workers who support the health and well-being of their communities through dedication and compassionate care from the heart. It also recognizes the miracles they help to make happen on a day to day basis, both large and small. During National Hospital Week, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA encourages you and your family to thank all of these dedicated individuals, including physicians, nurses, therapists, volunteers, administrators, and so many more.
