Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris

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Morris Hospital YMCA Celebrating One-Year Anniversary with Community Open House on January 10

The Morris Hospital YMCA is turning 1 and we are so excited to host a Community Open House from 10 a.m.-Noon on Saturday, January 10!

Make your plans to join us for a festive celebration, complete with activities for all ages:

-Tours to explore the facility, including the lap pool
-Opportunities to learn more about membership, classes, and programs like YMCA swim lessons
-Meet and a greets with our amazing staff team
-Games and bounce house fun in the gym
-A celebration of the the Y’s big day with cookie decorating and designing your very own birthday hat

PLUS…

Enjoy demos, exclusive membership specials, and exciting prizes. Free and open to the community!

#WhataONEderfulYear

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Make a Splash and Ring in the New Year at the YMCA

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is inviting families to celebrate the new year with our special Noon Year’s Eve pool parties on Wednesday, December 31! Festivities will include open swim, music, crafts, games, snacks and refreshments, and a New Year’s countdown at noon.

PLEASE NOTE: Space is limited, and registration is required. Participants may be swim tested prior to entering YMCA pools. Participants are encouraged to review the pool rules prior to registering.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Time: 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Cost: $20, open to YMCA Facility Members Only
REGISTER TODAY

Galowich Family YMCA
Time: 10:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the community
REGISTER TODAY

Morris Hospital YMCA
Time: 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Cost: Free and open to the communty
REGISTER TODAY

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Skills for Life: Caleb and Natalie Lopez’s Y Story

YMCA swim lessons help kids stay fit, healthy, and strong when they spend time in and around the water. Additionally, kids of all ages gain confidence and learn vital water safety skills that will last them a lifetime. For C.W. Avery Family YMCA member Naomi Lopez, seeing her children Caleb and Natalie learn to swim at the Y has been an invaluable life experience.

“Caleb and Natalie started lessons at the Y a couple years ago when they were preschoolers. They had no experience and were nervous to even do anything near water,” Naomi said. “They’ve gone from not knowing anything to swimming on their own. They’ve built so much confidence and love coming here.”

Caleb and Natalie have participated in both group swim lessons and private swim lessons, options that Naomi said provide different advantages for families. 

“With group lessons, I really like that there are so many options. It’s very flexible. I can get them in pretty much any day I want. With private lessons, they were able to improve their skills even quicker because of it being 1-on-1. In both cases, they have had a wonderful experience with all of their instructors. They’re organized in the way they do things, so it’s always timely and always fun,” she said. 

Naomi believes the structure of YMCA swim lessons has also had a positive impact on Caleb and Natalie as young learners.  

“They were very little during the time they started swim lessons and didn’t have any classroom experience. They learned little things that would help in a classroom setting like following the teacher and listening. It helped them to pay attention and follow instructions,” she said.

And, after continuing lessons this fall, Caleb and Natalie have now reached swim levels that allow them to use the full amenities of the YMCA’s Family Pool. 

“I usually bring them to play in the Family Pool in the winter, which is great for when it’s so cold and there is nothing to do outside. They can both go down the big slides now, which was something they couldn’t do before, so that was huge for them,” Naomi said.

But for the Lopez family, the Y journey is just beginning.

“I have four kids total and the two little ones will also be doing swim lessons soon,” Naomi said. “This is a great place for all, especially families looking for a budget friendly option and an opportunity to give their kids a lot of different extracurricular activities. Whenever my kids are interested in something I always look to the Y first before looking anywhere else. It’s perfect.”

To learn more about swim lessons at the Y, click here or speak with a member of our aquatics team during your next visit. To register online, click here.

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YMCA Staff Profile: Meet JETS Assistant Head Swim Coach Manny Arriola

The JETS YMCA Swim Team, one of the area’s most historic youth swimming clubs, is a year-round competitive swimming program that offers instruction and training for swimmers, ages six and up. This fall, we were excited to welcome Manny Arriola as the team’s assistant head swim coach. Manny has been a familiar face in YMCA aquatics programs for the past three years, and brings a wide range of instructional experience to his new role. You can learn more about him in the Q&A below.

Q: Can you describe your background in aquatics and past experience with the YMCA?

My swimming journey began when I was nine years old. I swam for the Chicago Wolfpack Aquatic Club (CWAC) until I started high school. I then became a member of the swim and water polo teams at Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago.

I started my coaching career in September 2023 as an assistant for the JETS, and I have enjoyed working with all the amazing staff and coaches I have met during my time here. I have learned a lot about coaching from all of them. In addition to working with the JETS, I previously served as head lifeguard at the Galowich Family YMCA, which allowed me to teach training classes to prospective lifeguards. I have also worked with swimmers as a private swim instructor. 

Q: Why are you passionate about the JETS program?

With my competitive swimming background, I’ve always had a strong desire to stay connected to the sport. I gained countless life lessons as a swimmer and becoming a coach has given me the chance to give back to the community. Coaching for the JETS has given me a new perspective and allowed me to help shape the next generation of swimmers, both in the pool and in their day-to-day lives. What makes this experience even more meaningful is that I share the core values of the JETS and the YMCA as a whole. Supporting swimmers and their growth – physically, mentally, and emotionally – has been incredibly fulfilling. I’m truly grateful to be part of a community that reflects the values I believe in, and I’m proud to represent both the JETS and the YMCA

Q: What are the most important things parents/swimmers should know about the benefits of YMCA aquatics programming?

One important thing for parents and swimmers to understand is that YMCA aquatics programs go far beyond teaching swim lessons, they also help instill valuable life skills along the way.  From the earliest days of learning to float, to developing resilience after a tough race, every step becomes part of a meaningful Y story- one filled with growth, encouragement, and achievement. We also emphasize that our programs are inclusive, welcoming swimmers of all ages and skill levels. And, with the dedicated work of our instructors and directors, swimming at the Y is truly life-changing. It’s inspiring to witness how the Y transforms beginners into confident swimmers and more confident individuals overall.

Q: What is your overall coaching philosophy? 

I believe coaching goes beyond teaching technique; it’s about being a mentor and a positive influence. My coaching philosophy centers on empowering swimmers for personal growth in addition to athletic development. As a coach, I strive to instill the core values of the YMCA while helping swimmers build confidence, character, and resilience. Swimming uniquely combines individual achievement with team unity, offering a space where athletes learn to push themselves independently while supporting and growing alongside their teammates. Swimmers have the opportunity to meet new people, form friendships, and have fun – all while learning new skills. My goal is for swimmers to one day look back and recognize how much they improved not only as athletes, but as individuals. It’s this balance that makes the sport, and the coaching role, so meaningful.

Q: What are things to watch from the JETS during the fall/winter season?

With more than 200 swimmers, this is the largest the JETS team has ever been and we are so proud to expand our reach throughout the communities we serve. The launch of the JETS program at the Morris Hospital YMCA is a huge development. Welcoming a wave of new swimmers from Morris and the surrounding communities of Grundy County has been a great step forward for the program. Another milestone on the horizon is the anticipated opening of the new Village of Shorewood YMCA next spring, which will continue the expansion of the JETS program. The prospect of bringing in new swimmers and hosting more meets has generated a lot of enthusiasm among swimmers and families alike. It’s truly an exciting time to be a part of the JETS.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time outside the Y?

I have a variety of hobbies, but swimming remains one of my favorite ways to relax during my free time.  I still swim recreationally during my time off. If I had to choose my favorite swim strokes, I would pick backstroke and freestyle, but my favorite events overall are the individual medleys. I also enjoy reading, especially philosophy books and comic books, which I enjoy for their thought-provoking ideas and creative storytelling.

We are so excited to have Manny helping lead our JETS! To learn more about YMCA aquatics programs, click here.

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Village of Shorewood YMCA Invites Community to Attend ‘Coffee with the YMCA’ Events

As we prepare to open the new Village of Shorewood YMCA in spring 2026, the Y is excited to invite the community to participate in our ‘Coffee with the YMCA’ events this fall! These meet and greets will be wonderful opportunities to learn more about the new facility, future programming, membership opportunities, and grand opening festivities.

Thursday, September 25*
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Shorewood-Troy Public Library
650 Deerwood Drive
Shorewood, IL 60404

*Complimentary child care services will be available onsite at this meeting.

Wednesday, October 8
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Minooka Village Hall
121 McEvilly Road
Minooka, IL 60447

To learn more about the new Village of Shorewood YMCA, please contact Executive Director Trisha Dust at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 327.

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Try Something New: Ann Wright’s Y Story

When the Morris Hospital YMCA opened last December, it opened the door to new possibilities for those in the Morris community, including individuals like Y member, donor, and volunteer Ann Wright. 

“My husband and I joined the Y at the old downtown location to support the cause, but never had the intent to go. Then we got really excited about the new Y, and when it opened we were on board from the get go,” Ann said. 

With new spaces like an eight lane lap pool to explore, Ann came to find her go-to activities at the Y were water fitness classes, a passion now shared by many in the community. 

“I do water fitness two or three times a week and every class seems to fill up. It’s incredible. There are classes in the morning and at night, and when I’m sitting in church on Sunday I can tell people are ready to hit that button and sign up for the Monday morning class,” she said.

Ann also noted being a Y member has helped her build stronger relationships with past acquaintances and forge new friendships along the way.  

“I remember telling one woman about the evening water fitness class and we had a date night with our husbands,” Ann said. “Now they do about four or five classes a week. It’s a great example of being willing to think outside the box and try something new.”

Ann was able to expand her own horizons by participating in YMCA Fit4U. During the 4-week introductory program, which is free for Facility Members, Ann learned more about the machines in the Wellness Center and Y amenities that could help her get started with new exercises.

“I did (Fit4U) because I have never used gym equipment before. It really helped me feel comfortable in the fitness center. The staff were amazing and encouraging,” she said.

Ann said that the positive energy from staff and members alike makes each visit to the Y a rewarding experience.

“You don’t leave without feeling like you’re a happier person. And that goes along with already having done something positive for your health. The physical aspect is probably what people think of and why they want to go initially, but the positivity you get here is vital.”

We are so proud to have Ann in our Y community! Please know that your Y family will always be here to support you along your health and wellness journey!

As a reminder, Fall 1 session programming begins on Monday. You can view group fitness, lap pool, and gymnasium schedules by clicking here or by using the YMCA On the Go App. If you are interested in learning more about the YMCA’s Fit4U program, please click here.

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