- The Y is Hiring: Community Invited to Attend Upcoming YMCA Employment Open Houses
Our talented staff team is dedicated to the Y’s mission and works tirelessly to meet the needs of the communities we serve. Join us at an upcoming Employment Open House in Joliet, Morris, or Plainfield to learn how you can get involved. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.Morris Hospital YMCA
Hiring Lifeguards and Swim Lesson Instructors*
Date: Thursday, September 24
Time: 3:30-5:30 p.m.C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Hiring Lifeguards and Swim Lesson Instructors*
Date: Sunday, October 11
Time: 1-3 p.m.*Participants are required to bring the following items: bathing suit/swim trunks, towel, goggles, contact case (if applicable; applicants must be able to swim with contacts or take them out.) Participants must also pass prerequisite swim tests. Swim test details can be viewed here.
Joliet Community YMCA
Hiring Teen REACH Counselors and Before and After School Kid Zone Counselors
Date: Tuesday, October 6
Time: 4-6 p.m.Please Note: This event will be held at the Salvation Army Joliet Corps Community Center located at 300 3rd Avenue in Joliet.
- Former JETS Swim Team Coach Tim Hill Inducted into American Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is proud to celebrate former JETS Swim Team coach Tim Hill, who was inducted into the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Hall of Fame as a member of its 2026 class. Hill was honored during a special ceremony held in Orlando last weekend, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the sport of swimming and his lasting impact as a coach and mentor.“I appreciate being recognized by my peers, but the bigger thing was getting to see many of the swimmers and coaches that I have worked with and getting to hear how they are doing. I really hope that I was able to impact them in a positive way,” he said.
A native of New York, Hill said he had an attachment to the Y from an early age.
“I have been a Y person for as long as I can remember. Because both my parents worked, I basically lived at the Y until they got home. I’ve always believed in the Y tenants of mind, body, spirit. That is still part of my DNA and how I approach things.”
Hill attended George Williams College in Chicago and held positions at YMCAs in Oak Lawn and Sarasota, Florida before serving as JETS coach from 1977 to 1980.
“It was a very diverse community and the parents group always wanted to do what was best for the overall program. I remember the parents bought an old school bus and fixed it up. They made it into the Joliet JETS bus. Whenever we made trips, we jumped in the bus and we kind of became the talk of the Midwest at swim meets. The kids loved it,” he said.
Hill helped former JETS swimmer David Sims qualify for the Olympics in 1980, and he would later have coaching stops at Southern Illinois University and Arizona State University. In total, more than 140 swimmers earned All-American honors under Hill’s leadership. Beyond guiding individuals to success, Hill said he has always emphasized the importance of teamwork.
“Coaching is our vehicle to help people go through the process of growing and learning. We’re first and foremost mentors and teachers. And being part of a team matters. No one is successful on their own,” he said.
Though he now lives and coaches in Texas, Hill says he has remained connected to the current JETS coaching staff, led by Dave Hedden and Manny Arriola. And, with the Greater Joliet Area YMCA celebrating its centennial in 2026, Hill said the Y continues to shine as an example of building strong teams and strong kids.
“Kids want to be a part of something, and know that somebody cares about them and wants them. The Y is a place for fellowship,” he said. “Technology is good – phones, computers, and the like – but we spend less time in community today, and I think the Y provides a very necessary tangible component to community.”
We once again congratulate Coach Hill on this well-deserved recognition from the ASCA, and we thank him for his many years of service to the Y and his incredible contributions to the sport of swimming. Through his passion for the sport, he has helped foster a lifelong love of swimming among young athletes in our community and swimmers from across the nation. We are grateful for the lasting legacy he has built throughout his Hall of Fame career!
- Meet Endeavor Health Physical Therapist Will Thompson
Located within the C.W. Avery Family YMCA, the Endeavor Health Physical Therapy Clinic has been an invaluable resource for the Y community since 2022. And now we are excited to highlight Endeavor staff member Will Thompson! Will has more than two decades of experience in healthcare, including the last three and a half years assisting physical therapy patients at the Endeavor clinic. He said that the community building aspect of the Y has offered one of the more unique work experiences of his career. “I’ve worked with a lot of patients that are members of the Y. Even after their therapy has ended, it’s nice to be able to see them in the wellness center, say hi, and have conversations with them. Everyone with the Y staff is amazing as well,” Will said.
Will maintains a passion for physical therapy driven in large part by the day-to-day improvements he sees with his patients.
“The most rewarding thing is seeing the journey patients go on. They come in with an impairment, likely in a lot of pain, and to see them progress as we go on through therapy is amazing. We try to have them face less frequent pain, eventually incorporating regular activities back into their life that they want to do,” he said.
Will said that regular exercise, incorporating enough warm up time, and using proper form are the most important ways to prevent injuries, and that in many cases physical therapy comes down to getting back to basics.
“People sometimes think ‘Well, that’s an easy exercise, why are you making them do that?’ It’s because the exercises are often the fundamental thing that can get someone back to doing what they want to do. It’s a situation about being able to crawl before you can walk,” he said.
And because Y members have convenient access to healthcare resources while completing their therapy at the Y clinic, Will said the impact extends well beyond physical wellness.
“When you feel a little better and your motivation goes up, you start to feel good in general with a better attitude and higher self esteem,” he said.
On behalf of the Y, we are so happy to have Will in our community and remain thankful for the amazing services provided by the Endeavor Health team to support healthy living in our community.
To make an appointment to see a physical therapist at the Endeavor Health Physical Therapy Clinic at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA, please call (630) 527-3375. The Endeavor team will obtain insurance approval, provide you with the number of visits allowed, and give you an estimate of your out-of-pocket cost per visit.
Hours are available by appointment on weekdays during the following times:
Mondays and Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.Endeavor also offers free injury screenings. To schedule your screening, visit the Physical Therapy front desk during normal operating hours or call to set up a screening time.
- Translation Services Now Available at All Greater Joliet Area YMCA Branches
The Y is made up of people from all walks of life who are joined together by a shared commitment to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. At the Y, we are dedicated to fostering a culture that promotes the goals of accepting, respecting and valuing differences amongst all members, staff, volunteers and guests, and creates a welcoming environment to ensure the YMCA experience is inclusive and open to all.As we continue our Welcoming Week celebration, we are excited to announce that translation services are now available for visitors at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA branch.
Members and guests who may need assistance are encouraged to visit the Membership Desk for more information. We are so glad to have everyone in our community!
If you are interested in joining the Y, click here. To download a one-time free day pass to visit any Greater Joliet Area YMCA branch, click here.
- Fall Fun for the Whole Family at the YMCA
Prepare yourselves! This October, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has a series of fun activities planned for you and your family! All events are free and open to the community except where noted.Village of Shorewood YMCA
Candy Cruise-In
Saturday, October 10
1:30-3:30 p.m.Join us for a family-friendly spooktacular trunk-or-treat event with activities, games, and candy! Don’t forget to wear your halloween costume!
If you are interested in hosting a trunk, please contact Youth and Family Director Tracy Wrase at [email protected] or (815) 763-5900, ext. 615.
Floating Pumpkin Patch
Friday, October 23
5:30-7:30 p.m.During this event families will have the chance to pick out a pumpkin from our floating pumpkin patch, enjoy open swim time from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and visit the community room to decorate your pumpkin between 6-7:30 p.m. PLEASE NOTE: Supplies are limited and registration is required. Attendees are asked review pool rules prior to registering.
For more information, please contact Aquatics Director Emily Fleming at [email protected] or (815) 763-5900, ext. 620.
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Monster Dash
Friday, October 16
6-8 p.m.Get ready for some family fun as you run, walk, dash your way around our outdoor track in your Halloween Costume. Strollers welcome!
Check-In/ Photo Ops – 6-6:30 p.m.
Warm-Up/Welcome – 6:30 p.m.
Run/Walk – 6:45-7:45 p.m.Cost: Free for Facility Members, $10 for Community Members.
REGISTER TODAY
For more information, please contact Health, Wellness, and Dance Director Director Kristen Derengowski at [email protected] or (815) 267-8600, ext. 224.Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 17
1-3 p.m.Stop by the C.W. Avery Family YMCA for our exciting Halloween Spooktacular! We will have a Trunk-or-Treat as well as spooky activities, games, crafts, and more!
REGISTER TODAY
If you are interested in hosting a trunk, please contact Youth and Family Director James Wagner at [email protected] or (815) 267-8600, ext. 234.Floating Pumpkin Patch
Friday, October 23
5:30-7:30 p.m.During this event families will have the chance to pick out a pumpkin from our floating pumpkin patch, enjoy open swim time from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and visit the community room to decorate your pumpkin between 6-7:30 p.m. PLEASE NOTE: Supplies are limited and registration is required. Attendees are asked review pool rules prior to registering.
For more information, please contact Aquatics Manager Rhiannon Earls at [email protected] or (815) 267-8600, ext. 247.
Morris Hospital YMCA
Floating Pumpkin Patch
Friday, October 23
5:30-7:30 p.m.During this event families will have the chance to pick out a pumpkin from our floating pumpkin patch, enjoy open swim time from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and visit the community room to decorate your pumpkin between 6-7:30 p.m. PLEASE NOTE: Supplies are limited and registration is required. Attendees are asked review pool rules prior to registering.
For more information, please contact Aquatics Director Coni Schram at [email protected] or (815) 513-8080, ext. 520.
Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 24
10-11:30 a.m.Location:
Morris Grade School
2001 Dupont Ave
Morris, IL 60450Join us for our exciting Halloween Spooktacular with trunks decorated by local businesses and Morris Hospital! Don’t forget to wear your Halloween costume!
If you would like to host a trunk during this event, please contact Youth and Family Director Jordan Overton at [email protected] or (815) 513-8080, ext. 513.
Joliet Community YMCA
Monster Mash
Saturday, October 17
1-3 p.m.Join us for a family-friendly spooktacular trunk-or-treat event with activities, games, and candy! Don’t forget to wear your halloween costume!
Location:
Salvation Army Community Center
300 E 3rd Avenue
Joliet, IL 60433If you would like to host a trunk during this event, please contact Youth and Family Director Keyanna Montgomery [email protected] or 815-782-2600.
Harvest Fest (Hosted in Partnership with Messiah Lutheran Church)
Friday, October 23
6:30-8 p.m.Fall fun starts here! Join us for a Family Harvest Fest packed with games, laughs, festive fun, and unforgettable memories for the whole family!
Location:
Messiah Lutheran Church
40 Houbolt Road
Joliet IL 60431
C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris
