Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Meet Aquatics Director Tina Wolfer

Aquatics Director Tina Wolfer

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.

Leading the aquatics team at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA, located at 15120 Wallin Drive in Plainfield, you will find Tina Wolfer. Wolfer was first introduced to the Y as a child growing up in Joliet. Along with her brother and sister, she enjoyed a competitive swimming career as part of the Joliet Y JETS Swim Team for several years. Upon the age of 19, Wolfer found herself looking for her first part-time job. And, with a little bit of encouragement from her mother, she applied to be a certified lifeguard at the C.W. Avery Family Y in 2007. Then in 2011, she joined the Avery Y’s full-time staff team as the Youth and Family Coordinator. In 2015, she stepped into a new role as the Before and After School Care Director, leading the Avery Y’s Before and After School Kid Zone program, which serves all District 202 elementary schools. When the opportunity to return to her aquatics roots presented itself in 2019, Wolfer jumped at the chance, bringing her Y career full-circle.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Wolfer: I was born and raised in Joliet, IL and I graduated from Joliet West High School. I attended college at the University of Iowa, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation management.

Q: What are you most passionate about in life?

Wolfer: When it comes to work, I am passionate about the program quality at the Y. I am always striving to be innovative and looking for ways to improve our programs that are loved by so many of our members.

Personally, I am passionate about my family and animals.

Q: What can we find you doing when you’re not at work?

Wolfer: I enjoy spending time with my family and dogs. We enjoy trips to Brookfield Zoo and love to hang out at the pool in the summer.

Q: What makes swim lessons unique at the Y?

Wolfer: Our instructors and the program quality. We have high-energy instructors with a lot of experience. They have a passion for the water and that’s evident when they are teaching our swim lesson participants. And, our swim lesson participants have a blast while learning such vital water safety skills. 

Q: What is your favorite part about working in the Aquatics Department?

Wolfer: I love working with my staff team and the Jets Swim Team. I also enjoy any opportunities that allow me to work with local high school swim teams.

Q: What is your favorite memory of being a competitive JETS swimmer?

Wolfer: I would say my favorite memory was traveling to Maryland to swim at Nationals. It was an awesome experience, and just like working at the Y, we were one big family on the JETS team.

Registration for Spring 1 and Spring 2 swim lessons are underway! If you have questions about swim lessons or just simply want to say ‘hi’ to Tina, be sure to stop by her office the next time you are at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA. You can also email her directly at [email protected].

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Meet Executive Director Donnie Chestnutt

At the Greater Joliet Area YMCA, our staff team’s passion and dedication help to make the Y experience second to none.  Among the many devoted staff members at the Smith Family YMCA, located at 1350 S. Briggs Street in Joliet, you’ll find Donnie Chestnutt.  Chestnutt joined the Y’s staff team last February as the Smith Family YMCA’s Executive Director.

Chestnutt first became acquainted with the Joliet YMCA as a junior in high school when the Y was located in downtown Joliet.  Like many high school students her age, Chestnutt was looking for her first part-time job.  And, with a little help from her school, Chestnutt was placed in the Y’s summer work program where she was primarily responsible for keeping the YMCA’s game room neat and occasionally helping to check-in Y members. That summer at the Y made an impact on her in more ways than one. She developed a passion for helping others in her community and an admiration for the Y’s mission.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Chestnutt: In 1974, my family moved from Laurel, Mississippi to Joliet, IL.  I come from a very big family, and I am one of 16 children.  When I came to the Joliet area, I attended Washington Junior High and I went on to graduate from Joliet Central High School. 

After high school, I took to a job at JCPenney in the Louis Joliet Mall. After five years at JCPenney, I wanted a job with more suitable hours. I was able to find the perfect position at Lockport Township High School as an Attendant Secretary. After some time at Lockport Township High School, I took a job at First Midwest Bank. During my time at the bank, I took advantage of their benefits and returned to school at Joliet Junior College and later transferred to the University of St. Francis in Joliet. I earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management.

I am married to my husband, Ken, and we have two wonderful children, Nicole and Braxton.

What are you most passionate about?

Chestnutt: I enjoy watching people thrive.  And, I am very passionate about connecting people to services that make an impact; which is why the Y is such a great fit for me.

What can we find you doing when you’re not busy at the Y?

Chestnutt: You can find me singing at church, dancing and playing pickleball—it’s so much fun!  Besides that, I love to attend my son’s baseball games and spend time with friends.  I also do volunteer work with several agencies in Joliet. I currently serve on the board of directors for the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce, and the Will County Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority.

As the Executive Director, what plans do you have for the Smith Family YMCA?

Chestnutt: Our entire Y staff team has so much to offer.  I look forward to introducing new opportunities at the Smith Family Y and enhancing the Y’s outstanding programs that are already well established throughout the community, including our Safety Around Water program, formally known as Project SOAR.

Since becoming a part of the Y’s staff team, what is your favorite Y memory?

Chestnutt: After teaching more than 65 local students from the Fairmont School District how to swim, I decided to take swim lessons myself. It was a wonderful experience and a testament that it’s never too late to learn something new.

In addition to conquering an important life skill, I am grateful that the Smith Family Y has been able to partner with outstanding community organizations in the last year, such as the Northern Illinois Food Bank, which is a non-profit that focuses on providing food to local residents in need.

If you have any questions for Donnie or just want to say ‘hi,’ be sure to stop by her office the next time you visit the Smith Family YMCA.  Or, you can email her directly at [email protected].

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Meet Membership Director Michelle Weston

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is incredibly proud of the work our staff does to ensure a high quality experience for our members. One of the newest full-time team members at the Galowich Family YMCA is Membership Director Michelle Weston. Michelle stepped into her current role last October. Her warm and friendly personality makes her perfectly suited to lead the Galowich Y’s membership team. You can learn more about Michelle in the Q&A below:  

Q: How did you get started with the Y? 

Weston: Two years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom and I saw an ad that the Avery YMCA was hiring. I sent a message, got to come in for an interview and ultimately got hired. My time at the Avery Y made my transition a bit easier when I became the membership director at Galowich. I have been that busy person at the front desk and I know what it can feel like. I am hoping to build on those experiences here at the Galowich Y.  

Q: How do you view your role in the big picture of the Y?

Weston: The membership team is the face of the Y and the first impression for everyone that comes through the door. We have to be able to provide our members with all the tools they may need and answer any questions they may have. We care about customer service because we care about our members. 

Q: What is your favorite part about your job?

Weston: It’s definitely the members and seeing them come in with smiles on their faces. When members have a goal they are trying to attain, and we can help them along the way, it is truly awesome to see them succeed. I’ve also made some great friends at the Y, both with co-workers and our members.

Q: What is your favorite Y memory?

Weston: This was my first year being fully involved in Toys for Tots. There was a woman who won one of our Christmas trees and she said it was the first tree she had ever had in her life. That brought tears to my eyes. 

Q: What do you like to do outside the Y?

Weston: My husband and I try to spend as much time as we can with our kids. They are in the school band and that is a real commitment. On weekends we love to play board games like Clue and Monopoly. My husband is also a part of the Minooka Lions Club and I like to do things with him there.   

Q: What should someone interested in a Y membership know about us?

Weston: We do our best to build relationships with people. We want to know about your day, what is going on with your kids, and where you went on your last vacation. You don’t have to just check in and check out. It’s about being a part of a community and a family. We hope that our members feel like the YMCA is their second home.
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We encourage members to meet with Michelle or anyone from the membership team when visiting the Y. They are a great resource and always ready to help provide the best possible Y experience. You can reach Michelle at (815) 744-3939 ext. 309 or [email protected] 

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Making An Impact: Matthew Ruggiero and Cristal Ortiz’s Story

At the Y, we are focused on providing opportunities that have a lasting impact on the lives of our members, staff and volunteers. We also take pride in those who choose to give back as a result of their Y experiences. Within the Y’s Safety Around Water program, which provides free swim lessons to students from Joliet area schools, volunteer swim instructors Matthew Ruggiero and Cristal Ortiz are great examples of how the Y experience can come full circle.

Matthew’s Story

Matthew, a junior at Lincoln-Way West High School, started taking swim lessons at the Smith Family YMCA when he was just five years old. At the age of 7, he joined the JETS Swim Team and swam in the program for seven years. For the last year, Matthew has worked as a lifeguard at the Y, and recently expressed an interest in becoming a volunteer swim instructor after a chance encounter with the YMCA’s Safety Around Water program. 

“I was at the Y with a friend before work and we were asked to demonstrate dives for some of the students and I thought that was fun,” Matthew said. 

Cristal’s Story

Cristal, a student at Joliet Junior College, learned to swim in fifth grade when she had the opportunity to participate in the Y’s Safety Around Water program (then known as Project SOAR) while attending A.O. Marshall Elementary School. She first heard about opportunities to volunteer at the Y through a friend on social media. She has been a volunteer swim instructor in the Safety Around Water Program for over a year, drawing on her personal experiences to help teach students in her weekly lessons. 

“I’ve lived in Joliet all my life and I’ve always loved the water and swimming. We would come to the Y on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I remember being excited about being able to go in the deep end,” she said. “Learning to swim is a lot of work, but it’s supposed to be fun. You have to make sure everyone feels comfortable and safe.”  

Skills that Last a Lifetime

Both Matthew and Cristal agreed that their time volunteering at the YMCA has been incredibly rewarding. 

“The students are always cool. I remember the first time that someone called me ‘Coach Matthew’ and it’s just the best feeling. I never thought I would hear that,” Matthew said. “I also feel like this has helped with my communication skills. I’m not the most talkative person and being around other people is helping, especially instructing a younger group of people.”

Cristal expressed similar feelings.

“It’s done a lot for my confidence. I’ve learned from the other instructors and become a better teacher, and even a better swimmer myself,” she said.  

Matthew and Cristal also acknowledged the strong sense of community they feel each and every time they walk into the doors of the Smith Family YMCA. 

“We’re a team and a family. All of us work together to help our students and our members,” Cristal said.   

“Whether it was when I was with JETS or the people I work with at the Y now, everyone is relatable. We have definitely built a community,” Matthew said. 

We thank Matthew and Cristal for volunteering at the Y and helping us in our mission to serve the community. If you would like to volunteer in our Safety Around Water program, or are interested in becoming a Y lifeguard, please contact:

Catie Wallis
Smith Family YMCA Aquatics Director
(815) 726-3939, ext. 417
[email protected]

 

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Meet Healthy Living and Senior Activities Coordinator Cindy Moss

The Y promotes a lifetime of healthy living and in recent years, the Y has introduced many new programs aimed at improving the health and well-being of older adults. The Y’s and Diabetes Self-Management program is geared toward helping individuals improve their day-to-day health, while our Fab 50 Program gives seniors an opportunity to participate in exciting activities while staying engaged in the community. 

At the helm of these important programs at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA is Cindy Moss, Healthy Living and Senior Activities Coordinator. Moss has been connected to the Y for over a decade and continues to enjoy her time working with our members. You can get to know more about her from the Q&A below:

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Moss: I’ve been working for the Y for 13 years. I started out in aquatics teaching swim lessons and things progressed from there. I started teaching the medically based classes and ultimately became the Healthy Living and Senior Activities Coordinator. I love it. I work with seniors and it’s one of my favorite things to do. I love the camaraderie of the Fab 50 program.

Q: What are the most rewarding things about your job?

Moss: I love what our programs bring out in people. It’s incredible when you can see someone who is struggling with their health reach out and make the effort to change. When you see their positive outcomes it makes everything we do worth it.

Q: How do you view your role in the program?

Moss: I definitely see myself as a facilitator. I’m the helping hand to guide someone and be there as a supportive friend when people need one. Especially with seniors, they might not have a lot of outside support. When they are here, they are like family. They rally around each other.

Q: What are some of the moments during your time with the Y that stand out?

Moss: We had an individual graduate from our Take Charge of Your Diabetes program and she said if it wasn’t for the program she would still be taking medications, feeling sick and be unable to do as much as she has. She’s now taking more fitness classes and can actually go on vacations. 

We also have a program where the seniors interact with our Pint-Size Pupils. Our Fab 50 group will come in and read to the kids, and then the kids will sing and do performances for the seniors. One of our members, Leon, is 95 years old and loves coming in every day.

Q: What do you like to do outside of the Y?

Moss: I love to spend time with my husband and daughter. I enjoy FaceTiming with my son, he’s in the Marine Corps. I also love my dog. My husband and I enjoy going on walks with her. 

If you have any questions about the healthy living or senior programs offered at the Y, you can contact Cindy at (815) 267-8600, ext. 214 or [email protected] 

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Meet Before and After School Care Director Darren Callahan

At the Y, we understand that learning doesn’t end when the school bell rings.  The way your children spend time outside of the classroom can make a big difference in their personal development and your family-life balance. The YMCA’s before and after school Kid Zone Program provides a safe place for children to keep their mind and body active while learning social skills and positive values.

Leading the before and after school team at the Smith Family YMCA, located at 1350 S. Briggs Street in Joliet, you will find Darren Callahan. Callahan joined the Y’s leadership team last September as the Smith Family YMCA’s new Before and After School Care Director.

Callahan’s Y journey began in late 2017 when he made a food delivery to the Joliet YMCA.  During his drop-off, he noticed that the YMCA was hiring bus drivers for its Kid Zone Program.  Seeing this as a great opportunity, Callahan filled out an application on the spot.  Immediately, Callahan demonstrated a true passion for making an impact in the lives of every child that stepped onto bus number nine.

Since joining the Y’s staff team, Callahan has worked diligently to give local youth and families an outstanding experience when it comes to before and after school care.  He and his staff team have an exciting school year planned, which will officially kick-off next week.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Callahan: I was born and raised in Chicago, IL and I come from a very big family—I have 13 siblings to be exact.  I am also a twin.  I attended summer camp for two weeks every summer as a child—I loved it.  I went to Calumet High School and attended California State University, Fullerton where I earned a degree in business education.

Q: What makes the Y an exceptional before and after school care provider?

Callahan: At the Y, parents can rest assured that their children are spending their time before and after school in a relaxed and safe environment.  And, our staff is here to support each of our Kid Zone participants by being their mentor and/or a ‘listening ear.’

Q: What do you have planned for Kid Zone during the 2019/2020 school year?

Callahan: We are very excited to be serving elementary school students in the Joliet, New Lenox, Elwood, Laraway, Union and Fairmont school districts this year.  And, we will be introducing ‘STEM’ Fridays to our program, which will support our students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. 

Q: Do you have any hobbies?

Callahan: At a young age, I learned to cook from my grandmother, so cooking has turned into a passion and hobby.  When I am not busy at the Y, I am most likely cooking and running my catering company, What’s Your Flavor.

Q: What was your favorite subject in school?

Callahan: Biology.  I remember my teacher had a kitchen in her classroom and she would cook for her students Monday through Thursday if they did well on their tests. 

As a reminder, there is still time to register your child(ren) for the Y’s Before and After School Kid Zone Program for the 2019/2020 school year.  To register for Kid Zone, please call or stop by your local branch today!  If you have questions about Kid Zone, be sure to stop by Callahan’s office the next time you visit the Smith Family Y.  Or, you can email him directly at [email protected].

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