Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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YMCA Staff Profile: Meet Aquatics Director Coni Schram

The Morris Hospital YMCA is proud to welcome Coni Schram as our new Aquatics Director! Coni brings more than 20 years of aquatics experience to the Y, and we know she will do an amazing job leading programs in our lap pool. You can learn more about Coni in the Q&A below. 

Q: Where are you from and what is your background in aquatics? 

I live in New Lenox where I was an Aquatics Supervisor at Lincoln-Way High School for 24 years. 

Q: Why were you interested in joining the Y team? 

The culture. Right from the start, I have been welcomed with open arms and embraced with a supportive environment by the staff team and members.  

Q: What do you find most rewarding/inspiring about working in aquatics? 

I love to see the progression of a person who is learning to swim. It is very rewarding to see the advancement in skill and watch confidence grow. 

Q: How can members of the community benefit from YMCA aquatics programs? 

There are a lot of programs our members can benefit from. We offer group swim lessons, private swim lessons, and adaptive swim lessons. We also offer multiple water exercise classes that have numerous advantages: enhancing cardiovascular health, improving strength and flexibility, and aiding in stress management, all while being low-impact on joints and muscles. 

]You don’t have to be an expert swimmer to enjoy the programs and benefits of our pool.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? 

I love being outside. I enjoy sports, travel and spending time with my family.

We are so excited to have Coni leading the Y’s aquatics team in Morris! If you would like to join the Y team as a lifeguard or swim instructor, apply online today. To learn more about YMCA aquatics programs, click here.

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Meet C.W. Avery Family YMCA Aquatics Director Jack Glimco

As America’s most trusted swim instructor, the Y is the most accessible community resource to prevent drowning and encourage a lifelong enjoyment of swimming—teaching countless children and adults to become strong, confident swimmers. Additionally, YMCA aquatics facilities allow adults, children, and families to come together for year-round fun, exercise and recreation. Leading the way for these programs at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA is Aquatics Director Jack Glimco. Jack started in his role earlier this summer and we are so excited to have him on the Y staff team! You can learn more about Jack in the Q&A below.

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself? Where are you from and what was your career experience before joining the Y team?

I am from Darien, Illinois and attended the University of Iowa where I majored in Health and Human Physiology with a minor in Sports and Recreation Management. While at Iowa I worked as Aquatics Program Assistant for the school and later worked for the City of Cedar Rapids as an Assistant Aquatics Coordinator. I went onto to join the staff team at the YMCA of Cedar Rapids as and Aquatics Coordinator. And now, with my family recently relocating to the Chicago suburbs, I’m very excited to be in my new role here at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA.

Q: Why do you have a passion for aquatics?

I have a passion for aquatics because I was the kind of kid who spent all my summer days at the pool. When I was finally old enough to work, I started lifeguarding immediately to help ensure that the pool was as safe for other kids who were like me.

Q: What is your favorite part about being on the Y staff team?

I love working for the YMCA because of how impactful the YMCA is in the community. The Y brings everyone together with similar interests and is a home away from home for so many people. Everyone on staff is amazing and extremely friendly. The YMCA has helped me grow personally and professionally and I hope to be able to continue to positively impact the community.

Q: Why should families feel safe when participating in swim lessons at the YMCA? 

The most important thing about the YMCA’s swim lesson program is our staff. Parents and families can feel confident that there is an entire team working together to make sure all of our swim participants are safe. Not only are our swim instructors teaching the highest quality curriculum, they also work together with our lifeguards to establish an environment of comfort and security.

Q: What are some exciting aquatics programs on the horizon?

I am so excited for our upcoming Noon Year’s Eve Party! We can’t wait to welcome families to our Indoor Waterpark on Tuesday, December 31 from 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Festivities will include open swim, music, crafts, games, refreshments, and a New Year’s countdown at noon.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do outside of the Y?

I enjoy spending time with my fiancé and our wonderful Springerdoodle, Bowser!

We are so excited to have Jack leading the Y’s new aquatics team in Plainfield! As a reminder, registration for the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Noon Year’s Eve Party is underway. You can learn more and register today by clicking here. And don’t forget, registration for Winter swim lessons is underway! Learn more about swim lessons at the YMCA by clicking here.

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Erin Lightbody Named Executive Director of C.W. Avery Family YMCA

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is proud to announce that Erin Lightbody has been named Executive Director of the C.W. Avery Family YMCA. Lightbody, who has worked for the Y since 2003, started her new role this month and we are excited to have her leading operations at our Plainfield location.

A seasoned YMCA professional with more than 20 years of experience, Lightbody began her YMCA career as a counselor/site-coordinator in the Y’s Before and After School Kid Zone program and was named the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Youth and Family Director in 2004. After leading youth development programming for 14 years in Plainfield, she became the YMCA’s Youth Operations Director in 2018, and has been instrumental in shaping youth programs across the association. Through her leadership, the YMCA has created and implemented policies and procedures that ensure the nearly 1,300 children who participate in Y programs each day have a safe, engaging, and enriching experience. 

During her tenure at the Y, Lightbody not only helped the Y navigate the challenges of providing childcare services during the COVID pandemic, she also became a certified Praesidium Guardian, an award given to leaders who help ensure that an organization is following the highest industry standards for child abuse prevention. As a part of her certification, Lightbody completed an impact project designed to improve applicant screening for childcare positions in the Y’s summer day camp and before and after school programs.

“Taking the Praesidium Guardian class helped me take a look at the entire interview and training process for employees in our childcare programs and identify ways we can continue to improve hiring and onboarding candidates. Everything from start to finish has been made more robust. I look forward to continuing to support families in my new role, as well as all those that walk through the doors of the Y,” Lightbody said.

Lightbody also played a key role in supporting the expansion of YMCA child care programs into the Valley View School District, and she plans to continue to drive the YMCA’s mission forward by fostering a culture of excellence, community, and inclusion at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA.

“Erin brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to our organization,” Director of Branch & Program Operations Lisa Behounek said. “Throughout a remarkable YMCA career spanning more than two decades, Erin has consistently demonstrated her passion, leadership, and dedication to our mission. Her vision, attention to detail, and ability to connect with staff, children, and families alike make her the perfect fit for this role. We are excited to see her lead the C.W. Avery Family YMCA into the future.”

Lightbody has a degree in Business Administration/Sports Management from Aquinas College. She resides in Plainfield with her family.

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Meet C.W Avery Family YMCA Before and After Care Director Lori Barrie

This week marks the start of the 2024-2025 school year and the Y is ready to once again welcome students into our before and after school Kid Zone program! Before and After Care Director Lori Barrie is starting her first year at the helm of the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Kid Zone program in Plainfield School District 202. We are so excited to have Lori on the Y team. You can learn more about her in the Q&A below!

Q: How did you get involved with the YMCA’s Kid Zone program? 

I have been with the Y’s before and after school team for more than seven years. My journey began as a counselor at Eichelberger Elementary School and I later became a site supervisor for the schools in the northern portion of the district. I have been so blessed to have the opportunity to visit and get to know students, parents, and counselors throughout the years, and I’m so happy to get started as the director of this wonderful program! 

Q: Why do you have a passion for youth development work?

Working with children is an amazing experience. My goal is to provide children with a safe, fun, and rewarding learning environment, making a positive impact on their lives each and every day.

Q: What do you think makes YMCA Kid Zone a special experience for kids? 

I think the sense of community and family that we create at our Kid Zone sites makes it special. We also offer a variety of crafts, STEM projects, games, and physical activities that we know create well rounded learners. 

Q: With the new school year officially underway, what are some of the most exciting activities you have planned for the months ahead? 

Each month, we base our curriculum around a core character development theme. Our first theme is ‘Relationship Building,’ so we are incorporating different activities for kids to start building positive relationships with their classmates and counselors. We are also excited to have guests from the Plainfield Library visiting sites for reading activities, and the games and themes we have planned for our Fun Fridays are always a favorite activity for our students!

Q: What are your favorite things to do outside of the Y? 

My favorite thing to do outside of the Y is to spend time with my family.  We enjoy exploring new places on walks and hikes. I am also a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and love attending games and watching them on TV!

If you are interested in joining our Kid Zone staff team, visit our Employment Opportunities page or apply online today. 

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Meet C.W. Avery Family YMCA Youth and Family Manager James Wagner

Summer day camp starts next week and, as we prepare to welcome hundreds of smiling faces to the Y, we are excited to shine a spotlight on the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s new Youth and Family Manager, James Wagner. James is a Plainfield native and will help lead summer day camp, summer specialty camp, and summer preschool camp activities at the Y this year. You can learn more about James in the Q&A below!

Q: How long have you been a member of the YMCA staff team?

I have been working in youth development for the last six years and have been involved with the Y’s Youth and Family team since 2022.

Q: Why do you have a passion for youth development work?

I love being able to help kids get involved in things that they have never had the opportunity to do and seeing that “wow” moment on their faces when they understand a new concept or accomplish a goal.

Q: What do you think makes YMCA summer camp a special experience for kids? 

Summer camp at YMCA is special because the kids are introduced to a bunch of new activities and they get to meet kids from different schools that they would not normally interact with.

Q: With summer camp right around the corner, what are some of the most exciting activities you have planned?

I am an outdoorsy person and I love to fish. This year, we will be taking our sixth, seventh, and eighth grade campers to fish, so I am super excited for that!

Q: What are your favorite things to do outside of the Y?

I like to watch and coach sports. I currently assist with the Plainfield Rugby Team and I am the Head Coach for the Will County Morrigans Women’s Rugby Team.

Although registration for YMCA Summer Day Camp is closed at this time, families can still register for summer specialty camps, summer preschool camps, and summer sports camps!

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Meet Valley View Childcare Director Kassandra Lepe and Childcare Manager Jenna Duffels

YMCA camp offers many of the same benefits of a traditional camp, such as new experiences, skill building, a sense of community, and lasting friendships. However, the Y’s passionate summer day camp team makes Y camp second to none. Every day, our energetic summer camp crew works hard to give camp participants an unforgettable summer.  And, behind every great team, are great leaders.

Fearlessly leading the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Valley View summer day camp program, you will find Childcare Director Kassandra Lepe and Childcare Manager Jenna Duffels.

With the start of camp just a few days away, Kassandra and Jenna’s amazing team of camp counselors are eager to welcome kids to camp at John R. Tibbott Elementary School in Bolingbrook and Beverly Skoff Elementary School in Romeoville. Get to know more about them in the Q&A below.

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Kassandra: I grew up in Plainfield most of my life and attended Plainfield Central High School. I began my Y journey as a Kid Zone counselor before eventually moving on to the role of site supervisor, while I obtained certification as a Registered Behavior Technician. Last fall, I transitioned into the role of Childcare Director and I can’t be more excited to be working with Jenna and this amazing group of counselors this summer!

Jenna: I grew up as a typical 90’s kid in Darien, Illinois with my brother, playing baseball in the backyard and doing flips at gymnastics class at my local YMCA. I have been with the C.W. Avery Family YMCA going on 5 years now. I started as a Kid Zone counselor in 2019, transitioning into camp during the summer. When our partnership with Valley View School District 365U was initiated, I got involved as a site supervisor, stepping into the role of Childcare Manager shortly thereafter, and have been loving every minute since!

Q: Why do you have a passion for youth development work?

Kassandra: By creating a sense of purpose, we can empower our youth to unlock their full potential and become individuals ready to tackle life’s challenges, thus creating the future leaders of America. Working alongside the Valley View School District has shown me that together everything is achievable.

Jenna: I grew up as the third oldest of 20 cousins and was always the go-to babysitter for all of the neighborhood kids, so I have been surrounded by kids my entire life. I always get such joy out of seeing them grow, learn, and develop their own personalities and hobbies. There is something special about each age group that makes my heart happy.

Q: What do you think makes YMCA summer day camp a special experience for kids? 

Kassandra: Our camps focus on helping kids create new friendships, make memories, and develop skills all within a structured environment. This allows the children to develop at their own pace while experiencing the joy of being a kid.

Jenna: YMCA Day Camp is truly the highlight of the year! Between character development lessons, crafts, science experiments, and all the fun we have on our field trips, our campers create memories and build core values that they will carry with them forever.

Q: With summer camp right around the corner, what are some of the most exciting activities you have planned?

Kassandra: I am so excited to have the campers see the Traveling World of Reptiles, create beautiful art, and expand their knowledge with STEM activities!

Jenna: I have so many favorites! If I had to pick just a few, I’d say I love our yearly camp tradition of tie-dying shirts, our much anticipated campers vs. counselors challenge days, and my favorite field trips of the summer – swimming at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA!

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do outside of the Y?

Kassandra: I enjoy coaching the Plainfield High School rugby team, playing rugby for the Will County Morrigans, and enjoying a cup of Dunkin’ coffee!

Jenna: You can usually find me looking for my lost ball on the golf course, losing myself reading a new book, or losing track of time making new art.

To learn more about Valley View Summer Day Camp, click here.

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