Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

You are here: Home / Archives for C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Get Fit and Stay Strong During the YMCA’s March Personal Training Sale

We invite you to take the next step in your fitness journey by taking advantage of our March Personal Training Sale. Throughout the month, if you buy four sessions, you get one free!*

REGISTER TODAY

One-on-One PT Sessions
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Galowich Family YMCA
Morris Hospital YMCA

Group of 2 PT Sessions
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Galowich Family YMCA
Morris Hospital YMCA

You can also find information about personal trainers at your local Y branch below.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Galowich Family YMCA
Morris Hospital YMCA

*Offer valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location between March 1-31, 2025. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Visit your local branch for more details.

SHARE THIS:

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Receives $15,000 Donation from NorthPoint Foundation

Every day the Greater Joliet Area YMCA affirms its commitment to making a positive impact in the community. Y programs open opportunities to all generations, ensuring that every individual feels a sense of belonging. And as a non-profit, community-based organization, the YMCA relies on the generosity of its members and the support of charitable giving to offer these services and programs for children, adults and families living in our community.

That is why the YMCA would like to thank the NorthPoint Foundation, which recently provided a $15,000 donation in support of the YMCA Mission Strong Fund.

“Fulfilling the Y mission is not possible without the kindness of organizations like the NorthPoint Foundation,” said Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Executive Officer Katy Leclair. “We are so proud to have NorthPoint as a strong advocate for YMCA initiatives, and we are inspired by their dedication to our community. This gift will make a significant impact on the lives of the children and families we serve, helping to ensure that nobody is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay,” added Leclair.

To learn more about the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, please click here. To show your support by making a donation, please click here. 

Pictured in top photo: (L-R) NorthPoint Development Compliance Manager Katie Gonzales, C.W. Avery Family YMCA Executive Director Erin Lightbody, NorthPoint Development Manager Zack Adkins, NorthPoint Development Manager Joe Franek, NorthPoint Regional Vice President Christian Evangelista, NorthPoint Development Manager Joe Garb, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Mission Advancement Director Donnie Chestnutt.

SHARE THIS:

Where the Fun Never Ends: Registration for Summer Day Camp Opens for Facility Members on March 8

At the Y, we provide safe, affordable, and fun summer day camps for youth and teens in grades K-8. Kids have the opportunity to explore nature, find new talents, try new activities, gain independence, and make lasting friendships and unforgettable memories.

Daily activities include:

-Teambuilding
-Arts and Crafts
-Outdoor Exploration
-STEAM Activities
-Reading Time
-And so much more!

REGISTER EARLY AND SAVE!

Registration opens at 8 a.m. on March 8 for YMCA Facility Members and at 8 a.m. on March 15 for Community Members. Register for summer day camp by March 24, and pay a $0 registration fee, a savings of $50!

Learn more about YMCA Summer Day Camp programs available in your area by clicking below.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA (Serving Plainfield and the surrounding communities)*
*Currently on a waitlist.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA (Serving Valley View School District 365U)

Galowich Family YMCA (Serving children in Grades K-8 in Joliet and the surrounding communities)

Teen REACH (Serving children in Grades 6-8 in Joliet School District 86)

Morris Hospital YMCA (Serving Morris and the surrounding communities)

In addition to summer day camp, the YMCA offers a variety of sports, preschool, and specialty camps each summer.

EARLY BIRD SALE

Save $5 when you register for a summer sports, preschool, or specialty camp between March 8-24. Use promo code: CAMP5OFF when registering online. Valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location. Some restrictions may apply.

SHARE THIS:

2025 YMCA Gala Silent Auction Bidding Now Open

The 2025 YMCA Gala will be held on Saturday at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. Since its inception, the Y’s signature fundraising event has raised nearly $1.8 million to benefit families within our community. Even if you won’t be attending this year’s event, you can still support the YMCA by bidding on items in our Silent Auction. Proceeds from the YMCA Gala will benefit the Mission Strong Fund, helping to ensure that no one is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay.

Bidding is Now OPEN!

To explore this year’s Silent Auction and begin placing your bids, please visit our Event Headquarters by clicking below. To register, please click the ‘Log In’ button in the upper right corner, and add your e-mail address and payment information. After completing the registration process, you will receive an email that provides you with a link to our Mobile Bidding site. Upon visiting our Mobile Bidding site, you will be able to begin bidding on items in our highly anticipated Silent Auction. Winning bidders who are not in attendance may pick up auction items at their local YMCA branch the week of February 24. Please Note: At this time, we are unable to ship items to winning bidders.

YMCA GALA HEADQUARTERS

If you are attending this year’s Gala, you should have already received an email with a registration link. For more information, please contact Volunteer and Special Events Director Dori Fugate at [email protected].

Thank you for supporting the YMCA Gala.

SHARE THIS:

Stay Active and Have Fun: Registration for YMCA Spring Pickleball Programs is Underway!

Pickleball is a great way to stay active and participate in friendly competition. And this spring, there are plenty of ways for you to get involved in this fun sport at the YMCA! Learn more about pickleball programs available at your local Y branch below:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Doubles Pickleball League
Dates: March 27-May 13
Season will run eight weeks which includes a seeded playoff. All matches will be played at a Plainfield school on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays at either 7 p.m. or 8 p.m.

Teams will consist of two players. One team member will be responsible for registering the team.

Pickleball rackets will be provided to those who need them but participants are welcome to bring their own equipment.

League winners will receive a championship t-shirt.

Open to ages 18 and up.

Cost: $150 per team (if registering team member is a Facility Member), $225 per team for Community Members

REGISTER TODAY

Endeavor Health Seminar: Stay Strong on the Court – Shoulder Health Tips for Pickleball Players
Date and Time: Wednesday, March 19, 12:15-1:15 p.m.
Are you a pickleball player looking to keep your game strong for years to come? Join us for an insightful session with Endeavor Health Physical Therapist Lauren Baloun, who will share expert tips on keeping your shoulders injury-free with essential exercises, warm-up and cool-down strategies, and guidance on proper body mechanics. Whether you’re playing for fun or competition, this event will help you stay at your best on and off the court!

Cost: Free and open to the community.

REGISTER TODAY

Open Pickleball
Dates and Times: Mondays, 7:15-8:45 p.m.; Tuesdays, 5-9 a.m.;, Wednesdays 7 a.m.-Noon; Thursdays, 10 a.m.-Noon or 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m.-Noon

Join us for a some friendly competition and exercise! Paddles are available but participants are welcome to bring their own equipment.
PLEASE NOTE: Court availability is subject to change.

Cost: Free for Facility Members. Registration is not required.

Morris Hospital YMCA

Doubles Pickleball League
Dates: March 10-May 9
Season will run eight weeks which includes a seeded playoff. Two matches will be played weekly. All matches will be played at the Morris Hospital YMCA on Mondays and/or Fridays starting at 5:30 p.m.

Men’s, women’s, and mixed leagues are available. Teams will consist of two players. Both team members must register.

Pickleball rackets will be provided to those who need them but participants are welcome to bring their own equipment.

League winners will receive a championship t-shirt.

Cost: $150 for Facility Members, $225 for Community Members

REGISTER TODAY

Pickleball Beginner Classes
Dates: Mondays, 4-5 p.m. or Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m.
This 5-week class that will explain the rules of pickleball and help participants work on skills that include serving, volleying, positioning on the court, etc. Have some fun and burn some calories at the same time! No classes will be held the week of March 24 during spring break.

Cost: $70 for Facility Members, $140 for Community Members

REGISTER TODAY

Galowich Family YMCA

Open Pickleball
Date and Time: Tuesdays, 10:15-11:45 a.m. or 6-7:30 p.m.; Fridays, 10:15-1145 a.m.

Join us for a some friendly competition and exercise! Paddles are available but participants are welcome to bring their own equipment.

Cost: Free for Facility Members, $5 for Community Members

REGISTER TODAY

SHARE THIS:

Register Today for 2025 JETS Swim Team Spring Clinics

The Joliet Y JETS swim team offers a range of practice groups, from beginner to advanced, based on age, skill, speed and commitment. To be placed on the beginning level of the team, swimmers must be able to swim freestyle for one length of the pool (25 yards) without stopping while demonstrating the ability to comfortably swim at the surface with arms reaching forward over the water, their face in the water, and taking breaths to the side. They must also swim 25 yards of backstroke without stopping, showing they are comfortable floating on their back while maintaining a rhythmic, supportive kick.

A member of both YMCA and USA Swimming, the JETS prepare for and participate in a variety of meets throughout the year, although competition is not mandatory. The team practices 3 to 6 days per week, depending on group placement, at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA and Galowich Family YMCA branches. Practice activities at the Morris Hospital YMCA are set to begin later this fall. Swimmers are encouraged to attend practices and work hard, however 100% attendance is not required.

If you’re interested in joining the JETS, please join us at one of our upcoming Swim Clinics. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the JETS and to meet our team and coaching staff. Throughout the week, coaches will be evaluating swimmers for team placement. A YMCA membership is not required to participate in the clinic. Registration is underway for Facility Members and opens on February 22 for Community Members!

Spring Swim Clinics

Cost: $25

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Date: March 17-19 (Ages 6-10)
Time: 5-6 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Date: March 17-19 (Ages 11-17)
Time: 6-7 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Galowich Family YMCA

Date: March 18-20 (Ages 6-17)
Time: 5-6 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Morris Hospital YMCA 

Date: March 24-26 (Ages 6-17)
Time: 6-7 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

To learn more about the JETS, please contact:

Dave Hedden
Director of Competitive Aquatics
[email protected]

SHARE THIS:

United Way