- Stronger Today Because of Yesterday: Greater Joliet Area YMCA Unveils History Wall
In celebration of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Centennial Anniversary in 2026, the Y unveiled a new history wall within the Village of Shorewood YMCA this week. This installation celebrates the visionary leaders, pivotal moments, and enduring milestones that have guided the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s journey and deepened its impact across the community over the past 100 years.
We remain deeply grateful to the members, employees, volunteers, donors and community partners whose dedication to the Y’s mission and the residents of Will and Grundy Counties made this historic milestone possible. As we begin our second century of service, we remain guided by our mission, inspired by our history, and committed to strengthening our community and transforming lives for generations to come.
- See You in September: My Y Rewards Special Earnings Event
Fall is a season of change and now is the perfect time to rejuvenate your health and wellness routine with a little inspiration from the YMCA! Our special My Y Rewards September Earnings Event will help you build healthy habits and stay focused on achieving your fitness goals!
Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facility Members enrolled in the My Y Rewards program will receive 150 bonus rewards points if they check in at the Y at least 15 times in the month of September.
Learn how to enroll by clicking below.
Upon enrolling in the My Y Rewards Program, you’ll also 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.
If you should have any questions or any feedback on the My Y Rewards Program, please be sure to stop by the Membership Desk during your next visit or email [email protected].
- Strong Families, Strong Communities: JETS Swim Team the Perfect Fit for Autumn and Chris Crescenti
At the Y, our JETS Swim Team not only provides opportunities for youth to develop swimming skills, it supports the personal growth of children in the program, builds a welcoming community, and strengthens family bonds like those of Village of Shorewood YMCA members Autumn and Chris Crescenti. Autumn, a senior at Minooka High School, has been a proud member of the JETS since 2017. Her father, Chris, has also been an integral part of the JETS family, serving as Concessions Chair on the JETS Parent Advisory Council (JPAC) for the past five years.
Chris said watching Autumn progress from YMCA swim lessons into competitive swimming has been incredibly rewarding.
“When I think back to when she started swimming, she would cry when she would put her head back in the water. Only a few years later, she was making the Y state cut in backstroke. I’m proud that very quickly after she joined the team she was taking it seriously,” he said.
Autumn’s prowess in backstroke hasn’t been limited to impacting her own pursuits in the pool. She also serves as an age group coach for the JETS, offering guidance to kids ranging from ages 5-14.
“As a swimmer, sometimes the workouts make you go ‘ugh,’ but now that I’ve been coaching, I see why we do them,” she said. “And what I remember most about when I first joined the team is that the coaches would make sure we were having fun. I think that’s really important as a coach because you really need to connect with the kids. It makes them enjoy coming to practice.”
Autumn added that the JETS go above and beyond to make sure swimmers feel welcome and build positive relationships with their teammates.
“The team does a really good job of doing activities outside of just swimming to connect us. We go on an annual Indiana Dunes trip where we go hiking and have fun with each other so it’s not just practice,” she said.
Chris said that the JETS ability to foster community is also reassuring for parents.
“The Y is the right fit because on other teams you can tell it’s purely competitive and the focus is only on winning meets. For the Y team, while very competitive with very good swimmers and coaches, that’s not the only focus. I think it gives a little more flexibility to kids. It’s also one of the more affordable programs. Anybody can swim with the JETS. If you can’t afford to do it, the Y offers a way for kids to swim through its scholarship program,” he said.
And, whether through lending a hand at the concession stand or helping time swimmers at meets, Chris said parent volunteers remain a core component of the program’s continued success.
“In getting involved with JPAC, I’ve learned how important volunteering is to the team. And though I know as a parent sometimes you can be a little scared going into volunteering, we’re always here to help the next generation of parents. There’s nothing we haven’t seen. We can point the new parents in the right direction,” he said.
In so many ways, the JETS have offered a way for families like the Crescenti’s to build memories that last a lifetime.
“The fact that we’re always together makes it really fun. The environment of swim meets is really fun too. You get to cheer for your teammates and compete at a high level,” Autumn said.
“We have really good coaches and I think as a whole, the families and kids get along very well. I would recommend it for kids of any age who have an interest in swimming,” Chris said.
We are so proud to have Autumn and Chris in our Y community and we thank them for their continued service in support of the JETS.If your child is interested in joining the JETS Swim Team, there is still time to register for the team’s upcoming clinic at the Village of Shorewood YMCA:
Dates: August 31-September 2
Times: 5-6 p.m. (Ages 6-10) and 6-7 p.m. (Ages 11-17)
Cost: $25
To learn more about the JETS, please contact Director of Competitive Aquatics Dave Hedden at [email protected]. - Commit to Your Health: 2026 September Personal Training Sale
Whether you’re just starting your health and wellness journey, or looking to add a little variety to your exercise program, a YMCA personal trainer can help you to achieve your wellness goals. And now you can take your first step with the help of our September Personal Training Sale! Throughout the month when you purchase four sessions, you will get one free!*
Learn more about personal trainers at your local Y branch by clicking below.
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Morris Hospital YMCA
Village of Shorewood YMCA*Offer good September 1-30, 2026. Valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Visit your local branch for more details.
- C.W. Avery Family YMCA Set to Host Aquatics Employment Open Houses in September
As an industry leader in aquatic safety for more than 100 years, the Y is the perfect place to begin a career as a lifeguard. And, as we prepare for our busy fall season, we are excited to offer special aquatics employment Open Houses!Location: C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Date: Thursday, September 3
Time: 7-9 p.m.Date: Sunday, September 13
Time: 1-3 p.m.Attendees will be able to conduct interviews and complete swim testing in one session. The following items are required to participate:
- Bathing Suit/Swim Trunks
- Towel
- Goggles
- Contact Case (If applicable; applicants must be able to swim with contacts or take them out)
During testing participants will be required to complete a swim-tread-swim sequence, goggles allowed, as follows:
- Jump in water feet first, submerge, and resurface
- Swim 150 yards in front crawl (freestyle), breaststroke, or a combination of both and be able to demonstrate breath control/rhythmic breathing
- Tread water for two minutes maintaining position at the surface without the use of arms/hands and only using legs
- Swim an additional 50 yards
Participants will then complete a timed swim event, goggles not permitted, as follows:
- Swim 20 yards from starting point to deep end of pool
- Submerge, then retrieve a 10-pound brick from a depth of nine feet
- Resurface, swim on back in return to starting point holding the brick with both hands and maintaining face near or at the surface
- Exit the water without using ladder or steps and place the brick on the edge of the pool deck
- Complete the event in one minute and 40 seconds.
Participants who do not have certification for American Red Cross Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid will then complete additional coursework on-site at the Y on a later date. The cost of completing the lifeguarding course will be covered by the YMCA.
If you have any questions, please contact C.W. Avery Family YMCA Aquatics Director Jack Glimco at [email protected] or (815) 267-8600, ext. 228.
C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris
