C.W. Avery Family YMCA — Page 92 — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

YMCA Summer Fitness Challenge: Earn Your Shirt

April 8, 2021

JUNE 7-JULY 18

The Y wants to help you stay committed to a healthy lifestyle this summer and that is why we are excited for our ‘Earn Your Shirt’ Fitness Challenge.

Here’s how it works:

Check in at the YMCA 18 times over six weeks between June 7 and July 18 and you’ll earn a special YMCA t-shirt. Participants will receive their shirt when they reach benchmark.

Registration for the challenge begins April 10 and will continue through June 13.

Cost: $20

To learn more about this challenge visit the membership desk or contact your local Y branch.

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C.W. Avery Family YMCA Member Spotlight: Liz Bass

March 31, 2021

The C.W. Avery Family YMCA is celebrating its 15th Anniversary on Wallin Drive in 2021! To commemorate this milestone, we are sharing the Y story of one of our fantastic members each month. Today we shine the spotlight on Liz Bass. Liz joined the Y during our first week of operation in 2006 and we are so excited to have her share some of her favorite memories from the last 15 years.

Q: What made you interested in joining the Y?

Liz: I previously lived in Naperville and I’ve always been into fitness. When we moved out to Plainfield I was looking for a gym and we heard that the Y was going to be opening up. I grew up going to a Y and with two kids I definitely wanted to be a part of that again. I was also super excited when the Y opened because my son was six months old and that’s right when childcare started, which was a big thing.

Q: What are the biggest ways you feel the Y has evolved since you joined?

Liz: It’s been awesome to see everything expand. I started to go to early morning classes based on my work schedule. I remember being the only one here at 5:15 doing bootcamp and now it’s evolved into the great group it is today. When I first started there were no spin classes, now we have an entire spin room.

Q: How has your family used the Y over the years?

Liz: My kids took swim lessons here and we would spend a ton of time in the family pool during the winter. It was so good to have a place for them to go. We’ve had birthday parties here, we did all the camps, my daughter found her love of dance here. I feel like they grew up here.

Q: How has the Y impacted you recently?

Liz: Over time you go through a bunch of stuff in your life and the people who are here, from employees to members, have been through all of it together. When things shut down because of COVID I was really missing the people and the friendships at the Y. Being able to come back was really good for my mental health. This was the place I was missing the most. It’s a positive environment. Everybody on staff is so open to listening to members. This community supports you, and the Y has been a major component in getting me through this time.

Q: What would you say to someone thinking about joining the Y?

Liz: I’m such a proud Y member. I really feel like we have the best Y in the world. People who haven’t come to the Y before should know that they can find what they need. It has the best facilities, great instructors, and a lot of programming. It makes you feel good because you know you’re getting a quality experience.

We would like to thank Liz for her incredible support over the last 15 years and look forward to making a positive impact on members of our community through 2021 and beyond!

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Invites Facility Members to Use Guest Passes

March 25, 2021

YMCA Facility Members have the opportunity to share the Y experience with their family and friends by utilizing guest passes.

Here’s how it works:

-Each Facility Member may bring one guest per day to the Y.

-Facility Members will be allowed unlimited guest passes throughout the year, however, individual guests will be limited to three visits per calendar year.

-Guests, ages 18 and over, must present a valid photo I.D.

For more information, please stop by the Membership Desk during your next visit or contact the Y:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA: (815) 267-8600

Galowich Family YMCA: (815) 744-3939

Morris Hospital YMCA: (815) 513-8080

Thank you for your continued support of the YMCA.

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YMCA Invites Community to Participate in National Discussion on Mental Health

March 18, 2021

As part of our continued efforts to help families in our community navigate the mental health repercussions of COVID-19, we are proud to announce the Y’s partnership with Pop Culture Hero Coalition and Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital to present “Resilience, Empathy, Healthy Screen-time: An Honest Conversation” on Thursday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m.

The Facebook Live event will feature a conversation led by celebrity guests and acclaimed psychologists, experts and thought leaders, focusing on mental health, resilience, empathy building, healthy screen use and managing conflict as parents, teens and children navigate the repercussions of COVID-19.

We hope you will join us for this very important national conversation. And please spread the word to your friends and neighbors . All are welcome!

Learn More

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Celebrate Easter at the YMCA

March 16, 2021

Easter is just around the corner and the Greater Joliet Area YMCA is here to help you and your family get in the holiday spirit! Full details about fun and exciting Easter events can be found below or by contacting your local branch.

YMCA Easter Egg Hunts

Smith Family YMCA
Saturday, March 20
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Location:
1350 S. Briggs St.
Joliet, IL 60433

The Smith Family YMCA invites you to take part in a special Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 20. Parents/Guardians are invited to go online to register their child/children for one of three egg hunt sessions on March 20:

11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., or Noon

Each session will be split into three groups of 50 participants and children will need to bring their own bag/bucket to collect items. Children in attendance will also be able to take a picture with the Easter Bunny.

PLEASE NOTE: This event is free and open to the community. Space is limited and registration is required. Masks will be required. In the event of inclement weather, there will be no make-up date.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Saturday, March 27
1-2:30 p.m.

Location:
15120 Wallin Dr.
Plainfield, IL 60544

Bring your Easter baskets and join us for an outdoor Easter Egg Hunt! Parents can register their child/children for one of three available time slots:

1 p.m, 1:30 p.m., or 2 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: This event is open to Facility Members only. Space is limited and registration is required. Masks will be required.

Hop Into Easter Drive-Thru Events

(All Drive-Thru Events are free and open to the community)

Morris Community YMCA
Saturday, March 27
10-11:30 a.m.

This event is hosted in partnership with Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers. The Easter Bunny and his most-trusted helpers will be handing out goody bags featuring candy and a take-home craft, while supplies last. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for one of our golden tickets, which will be hidden inside a handful of goody bags. Golden tickets can be redeemed for prizes at the Morris Community YMCA March 29-April 2.

Drive-Thru Directions: Cars will enter the YMCA parking lot from Jefferson Street and exit onto Wauponsee Street.

Galowich Family YMCA
Saturday, March 27
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The Easter Bunny will be handing out goody bags, while supplies last. Kids will also be able to greet the Easter Bunny from inside their vehicle.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Saturday, March 27
2:30-4 p.m.

Kids will be able to wave to the Easter Bunny and pick up a bag of Easter goodies, while supplies last!

Drive-Thru Directions: From Wallin Drive, cars will be directed to take a right on Ottawa Street and loop around Ira Jones Middle School. When exiting, cars will be directed back onto Ottawa Street and head east to Van Dyke Road.

Community Easter Egg Hunts

(Free and open to the community)

Morris Community YMCA
March 19-27
The Morris Community YMCA is teaming up with the Morris Retail Association to host an Easter Egg Hunt in downtown Morris. Residents of all ages are invited to join in on the fun to find colorful Easter Eggs, which will be hidden at 11 locations throughout the downtown. Learn more here.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
March 22-April 3
YMCA members and local residents are invited to visit a number of area businesses to find hidden Easter Eggs. Be sure to turn in your completed Easter Egg Hunt Card at the YMCA to be entered into a raffle to win exciting prizes. Learn more here.

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