Smith — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Partnering with Versiti Blood Center of Illinois to Host February Blood Drives

February 13, 2020

In the United States someone needs donated blood every two seconds and a single blood donation can save up to 3 lives! That is why the Greater Joliet Area YMCA is excited to partner with Versiti Blood Center of Illinois to host a set of blood drives this February. Versiti will be collecting blood donations on the following dates:

Monday, February 24
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Schedule an Appointment

Wednesday, February 26
Time: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Smith Family YMCA
Schedule an Appointment

Thursday, February 27
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location Galowich Family YMCA
Schedule an Appointment

Appointments are recommended but walk-ins will still be welcome. Photo ID is required. Donors are encouraged to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water prior to giving blood. Donors will also receive a $10 Colonial Cafe Coupon (while supplies last). If you have any questions, please contact:

Adriana Garcia
YMCA Human Resources Generalist
(815) 782-0817
[email protected]

Making An Impact: Matthew Ruggiero and Cristal Ortiz’s Story

February 12, 2020

At the Y, we are focused on providing opportunities that have a lasting impact on the lives of our members, staff and volunteers. We also take pride in those who choose to give back as a result of their Y experiences. Within the Y’s Safety Around Water program, which provides free swim lessons to students from Joliet area schools, volunteer swim instructors Matthew Ruggiero and Cristal Ortiz are great examples of how the Y experience can come full circle.

Matthew’s Story

Matthew, a junior at Lincoln-Way West High School, started taking swim lessons at the Smith Family YMCA when he was just five years old. At the age of 7, he joined the JETS Swim Team and swam in the program for seven years. For the last year, Matthew has worked as a lifeguard at the Y, and recently expressed an interest in becoming a volunteer swim instructor after a chance encounter with the YMCA’s Safety Around Water program.

“I was at the Y with a friend before work and we were asked to demonstrate dives for some of the students and I thought that was fun,” Matthew said.

Cristal’s Story

Cristal, a student at Joliet Junior College, learned to swim in fifth grade when she had the opportunity to participate in the Y’s Safety Around Water program (then known as Project SOAR) while attending A.O. Marshall Elementary School. She first heard about opportunities to volunteer at the Y through a friend on social media. She has been a volunteer swim instructor in the Safety Around Water Program for over a year, drawing on her personal experiences to help teach students in her weekly lessons.

“I’ve lived in Joliet all my life and I’ve always loved the water and swimming. We would come to the Y on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I remember being excited about being able to go in the deep end,” she said. “Learning to swim is a lot of work, but it’s supposed to be fun. You have to make sure everyone feels comfortable and safe.”

Skills that Last a Lifetime

Both Matthew and Cristal agreed that their time volunteering at the YMCA has been incredibly rewarding.

“The students are always cool. I remember the first time that someone called me ‘Coach Matthew’ and it’s just the best feeling. I never thought I would hear that,” Matthew said. “I also feel like this has helped with my communication skills. I’m not the most talkative person and being around other people is helping, especially instructing a younger group of people.”

Cristal expressed similar feelings.

“It’s done a lot for my confidence. I’ve learned from the other instructors and become a better teacher, and even a better swimmer myself,” she said.

Matthew and Cristal also acknowledged the strong sense of community they feel each and every time they walk into the doors of the Smith Family YMCA.

“We’re a team and a family. All of us work together to help our students and our members,” Cristal said.

“Whether it was when I was with JETS or the people I work with at the Y now, everyone is relatable. We have definitely built a community,” Matthew said.

We thank Matthew and Cristal for volunteering at the Y and helping us in our mission to serve the community. If you would like to volunteer in our Safety Around Water program, or are interested in becoming a Y lifeguard, please contact:

Catie Wallis
Smith Family YMCA Aquatics Director
(815) 726-3939, ext. 417
[email protected]

YMCA’s Teen Achievers Program Awarded $10K Grant From Midland States Bank

January 29, 2020

Pictured above (left to right) with students from Joliet West High School: Senior Development Director Julie Wilkinson, Midland States Bank Regional Community Development Relationship Manager Cornell Lurry, Teen Achievers Coordinator Shaun Sanderson, Midland States Bank Regional Market President Christine Uram, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Metro Board Member and Midland States Bank Senior Vice President of Banking Dan Stevenson, Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Jim Watts, Teen and Young Adult Advancement Manager Kelsey Kruel

Students in the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Teen Achievers program joined Y staff on Tuesday afternoon at Joliet West High School to accept a $10,000 grant from the Midland States Bank Foundation. The occasion marked the fourth consecutive year in which the Midland States Bank Foundation chose Teen Achievers as a recipient of these generous funds through a competitive grant process.

“Our Y is committed to helping young people succeed. It’s at the core of our mission. The Teen Achievers program has proven to be effective, working in complement with parents and schools to help students set and achieve their personal and educational goals,” Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO James Watts said.

Tuesday afternoon’s check presentation coincided with an after school workshop that focused on helping students solidify their vision for the future. While sharing their personal experiences, many students mentioned a desire to achieve high levels of academic success while describing their intended career paths. Other students in attendance expressed an interest in expanding their community service efforts before graduating.

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Metro Board Member and Midland States Bank Senior Vice President of Banking Dan Stevenson presented the check to the students and shared words of support. He expressed his excitement about the progress shown by students in the Teen Achievers program and reiterated the importance of maintaining a strong vision for their future, both personally and professionally.

The Y’s Teen and Young Adult Advancement Manager Kelsey Kruel led the discussion and thanked Midland States Bank for their generous gift.

“Generosity of this magnitude guarantees that our students will be exposed to experiences, interactions, discussions and people that could potentially change the trajectory of their lives,” said Teen and Young Adult Advancement Manager Kelsey Kruel. “People have an idea of the impact this program can have on individual students, but when we think of the effect it could have on the greater community and the systems our students are currently a part of, a gift like this one becomes that much more powerful.”

One of the Y’s most beloved programs, Teen Achievers provides area high school students with the guidance and support they need to discover their identities, embrace their passions, and become their best selves. With the support of the Y’s dedicated Teen and Young Adult staff team, students learn to manage their stress, time, and emotions, and learn about the importance of making confident and wise decisions during their high school years. Through weekly conversations, informative guest speakers, and college visits, students learn about life after high school and receive the encouragement to, not just complete twelfth grade, but to be truly prepared for whatever comes next.

Offered at five area high schools across Will and Grundy Counties, the Teen Achievers program now serves approximately 175 students Programming is free or offered at a modest fee, though no one is turned away for the inability to afford the experience. Contributions from grantors, the community, and the United Way of Will County help to underwrite the YMCA’s investment to provide Teen Achievers.

Olympians and NCAA Champion to Lead Fitter and Faster Swim Clinics at the Y

January 27, 2020

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is excited to announce a pair of two-day Fitter and Faster Swim Clinics this spring. Olympian Brett Hawke and Paralympian Tucker Dupree will lead a clinic at the Smith Family YMCA in Joliet on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15. NCAA Champion Amy Bilquist will lead a lead a clinic at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA in Plainfield on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26.

EXPLOSIVE PERFORMANCE: STARTS AND TURNS (SMITH FAMILY YMCA)

The clinic will feature a comprehensive demonstration of techniques to improve a swimmer’s power and explosiveness through the water. Over the course of these sessions, participants will have the opportunity to complete drills, ask questions and get hands-on instruction from Brett Hawke, a two-time Olympic swimmer for Australia, and Tucker Dupree, a four-time medalist for the United States Paralympic Team.

Day 1 – Saturday, March 14 (Starts and Underwaters)

Session 1 (Ages 11 & Under): Check in at 9 a.m., Clinic from 9:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
Session 2 (Ages 12 & Up): Check in at 12:15 p.m., Clinic from 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m.

Day 2 – March 15 (Turns and Finishes)

Session 3 (Ages 11 & Under): Check in at 9 a.m., Clinic from 9:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
Session 4 (Ages 12 & Up): Check in in at 12:15 p.m., Clinic from 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m.

HIGH PERFORMANCE FREESTYLE AND BACKSTROKE RACING (C.W AVERY FAMILY YMCA)

The clinic will feature a comprehensive demonstration of techniques to improve a swimmer’s freestyle and backstroke techniques. There will be two sessions for each age group: Saturday focusing on freestyle, Sunday on backstroke. Over the course of these sessions, participants will have the opportunity to complete drills, ask questions and get hands-on instruction from Amy Bilquist, a national champion relay swimmer with University of California.

Day 1 – Saturday, April 25 (Freestyle)

Session 1 (Ages 11 & Under): Check in at 12 p.m., Clinic from 12:15 p.m.-2:45 p.m.
Session 2 (Ages 12 & Up): Check in at 3:45 p.m., Clinic from 4 p.m.-7 p.m.

Day 2 – Sunday, April 26 (Backstroke)

Session 3 (Ages 11 & Under): Check in at 9 a.m., Clinic from 9:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
Session 4 (Ages 12 & Up): Check in at 12:45 p.m., Clinic from 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Staying Active For Life: Jose ‘Jaime’ Portales’ Story

January 22, 2020

When someone joins the Y, they are not just joining a gym. Members will find a supportive community full of friendly faces at the YMCA. At the Galowich Family YMCA, one of these friendly faces belongs to Jose ‘Jaime’ Portales.

Portales’ relationship with the Y goes back 35 years and he has worked at multiple Joliet locations in a variety of departments and programs. He currently serves as a Wellness Attendant on weekday afternoons at the Y’s Houbolt Road location.

At 70 years old, he continues to serve the community with energy and passion, promoting a lifetime of health and wellness. You can learn more about him in the Q&A below:

Can you share a little about your background with the Y?

Portales: I started in 1985 when I got my certification to be a lifeguard at the old YMCA in downtown Joliet. Then I came over to Galowich as a lifeguard. I started by helping kids learn to swim and then I taught adults. I’ve probably taught close to 100 adults how to swim.

Jaime’s first lifeguard certification card from 1985.

Why have you stayed connected to the Y for so long?

Portales: It’s a big part of my life and it makes me happy. I enjoy what I do and I always want to teach something. It’s really important for people to think about being healthy and staying active. I have played a lot of sports and I have a run club that I really love doing. I also teach Teen Fit and Self-Defense classes.

What are your favorite memories of being at the Y?

Portales: The best thing that has happened is how many good friends I have made. I love my co-workers and getting to know all the new members who come in. That’s what I enjoy most.

Why do you think people should join the Y?

Portales: When I talk to my friends about why it is good to join the Y, I tell them about how much they learn about staying in good health. It also helps your spirit.

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Jaime is just one member of a dedicated staff team that is ready to help new members succeed as they move along their Y journey. Be sure to say hello to Jose the next time you visit the Galowich Y!