Galowich Family YMCA — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

A Message to Y Members From Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Jim Watts

March 24, 2020

We want to thank you again for being a loyal member of our YMCA community.

On March 20, Governor Pritzker announced a statewide stay-at-home order aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus. This order went into effect at 5 p.m. on March 21 and will continue through April 7.

This now means that our YMCA facilities will be closed and all programming will be canceled through at least April 7.

Please see below for additional updates.

Membership and Programs

At this time, we have placed all memberships on hold, and will not be processing your next draft, which was scheduled for March 28 or April 15.

Many of you have reached out and have generously indicated that you would like to continue to pay your membership fees to support the YMCA during this difficult time. Membership fees paid during our COVID-19-related closure may be considered a charitable gift, and will help to ensure that the YMCA will be here to support you and your family when this public health crisis is over.

If you would like to continue paying your monthly membership fee, please contact the Membership Director at your local branch. Although our facilities are currently closed, our staff teams will be responding to all inquiries within 24 hours.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Membership Director
Megan Payne
Email: [email protected]

Galowich Family YMCA
Membership Director
Michelle Weston
Email: [email protected]

Morris Community YMCA
Membership and Wellness Director
Jamie Nelson
Email: [email protected]

Smith Family YMCA
Membership Director
Aracely Rubio
Email: [email protected]

Spring 1 Programming

Because our facilities will be closed through at least April 7, we will be canceling all Spring 1 programming. All Spring 1 registrations will automatically be moved to Spring 2, which is scheduled to begin on April 27. If you have questions about spring programming, please contact your local branch.

Before and After School Kid Zone Program

YMCA Kid Zone families may be eligible to receive a pro-rated system credit based on the number of days their child(ren)’s Kid Zone program did not run in March 2020 due to a Coronavirus-related school closure. System credits will be issued on a request-only basis and may be applied towards future Kid Zone payments. Requests may be made by contacting your local YMCA branch.

At this time, we will not be processing additional Kid Zone payments after April 1, until further notice.

Pint-Size Pupils

The Y will plan to operate Pint-Size Pupils, as scheduled, when school in Plainfield District 202 begins again. To make up for lost learning days, we will be adding additional classroom time at the end of the school year.

At this time, we will not be processing payments after April 1, until further notice.

Thrive Dance Team

The Thrive Dance Team will resume activities when the YMCA reopens.

At this time, we will not be processing payments after April 1, until further notice.

We Are Stronger Together

As a non-profit, community-based organization, the YMCA relies on your membership to provide services and financial assistance for children, adults and families living in our community. We know that by working together we will get through these difficult times. And when we do, please know that the YMCA will be here to support you and your family, like we have for more than 90 years.

Because this situation is ever-changing, please watch your email, follow the Y on social media, and visit our website at www.jolietymca.org for additional updates. Please stay well and take good care of yourselves and your loved ones.

God Bless You,
Jim Watts
President and CEO
Greater Joliet Area YMCA

Live with the Y: Virtual Fitness Classes Now Available Through Zoom

March 24, 2020

This week, the Y will be expanding its virtual fitness options to include broadcasts of new classes, including STRONG, Shred and Dance Fusion, through Zoom Video Conferencing. If you are interested in participating you can follow the steps below:

Go to Zoom.us on your desktop or download the Zoom app for your phone
Click ‘Join a Meeting’ on the home screen
Enter the meeting ID number of the scheduled class.

A full class schedule, including the meeting ID numbers, can be found below. Please note these broadcasts will not be available on replay. So, mark your calendars, and plan to join us live!

Tuesday, March 24
6 p.m.
STRONG with Marenda
Meeting ID: 334 000 849

Wednesday, March 25
8:30 a.m.
Yoga with Kim
Meeting ID: 753 326 146

Wednesday, March 25
7 p.m.
Hip Hop with with Kristen
Meeting ID: 909 805 649

Thursday, March 26
8:30 a.m.
Dance Fusion with Ligia and Kristen
Meeting ID: 540 946 947

Thursday, March 26
6 p.m.
Shred with Suzuka
Meeting ID: 643 664 033

Friday, March 27
8:30 a.m.
STRONG with Marenda
Meeting ID: 340 221 466

Saturday, March 28
9 a.m.
Mind Body Mix with Amy R
Meeting ID: 892 419 621

Saturday, March, 28
10 a.m.
Dance Fusion with Ligia and Kristen
Meeting ID: 598 848 010

Y Members are encouraged to check out replays of our Facebook Live broadcasts from the last week by clicking here.

You can also participate in online group exercise classes via Y360. Y360 is being shared with Greater Joliet Area YMCA members courtesy of our colleagues in Wichita, Houston, Charlotte, the Twin Cities and Tacoma. These free online classes will be available via YouTube for the duration of our COVID-19-related closure. To give it a try, click here.

Or, you can explore options from our partners at Life Fitness, who are offering daily workouts through their Digital Coach service. Find more details here.

March 20, 2020: IMPORTANT COVID-19 INFORMATION FOR YMCA MEMBERS

March 20, 2020

All Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facilities will be closed through at least April 7.

These are unprecedented times. COVID-19 (coronavirus) is a global pandemic and a national emergency, and nobody is certain what the next days, weeks or months hold.

Governor Pritzker has announced a statewide stay-at-home order aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus. This order is expected to begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 21 and continue through Tuesday, April 7. This now means that our YMCA facilities will be closed and all programming will be canceled through at least April 7. Because this situation is ever-changing, we will share further communication as updates become available. Please take good care of yourselves and your loved ones.

As you know, this situation is ever-changing. We will share further communication as updates become available. Thank you for your continued support of the YMCA during these very uncertain times. Please take good care of yourselves and your loved ones.

Helping You Live Better: How to Stay Healthy and Active at Home

March 20, 2020

At the Y, we are dedicated to keeping our Y community healthy and active during this closure. If you find yourself at home searching for ways to stay committed to your exercise routine, check out these easy at-home workouts:

The Basics

Staying active at home can be easy when you focus on basic exercises, including planks, push-ups, bicycles, and burpees, among others. Any activity to keep you moving is great!

Yoga

Yoga is the perfect mind-body workout that helps to improve flexibility, strength, and energy. And, during stressful times, yoga can help to soothe your worries.

HIIT

Give yourself a great high-intensity workout in the comfort of your home. HIIT exercises are an excellent way to get a fast and efficient workout. For an excellent HIIT workout, check out this great article, that will walk you through a HIIT routine.

Virtual Fitness Classes

Online fitness classes are a great way to stay active and keep a sense of community, which is why the Greater Joliet Area YMCA is excited to offer virtual fitness classes via Facebook live. On select days throughout the week, the Y will offer different fitness classes that you can do in the comforts of your own home. Be sure to follow our Facebook pages and visit our website often for updates regarding upcoming Facebook Live events.

Y360

You can also participate in free online group exercise classes via Y360. These free online classes will be available via YouTube for the duration of our COVID-19-related closure. To get started, click here.

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facebook Pages:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Galowich Family YMCA

Morris Community YMCA

Smith Family YMCA

If you’re looking for more ideas on how to stay active at home, be sure to head over to the Y’s Pinterest page.

Always Here For Our Community: Members Invited to Participate in Daily Prayer Calls

March 18, 2020

At the Y, we remain dedicated to providing support for the mind, body and spirit of our members and individuals living in our communities. In keeping with our mission, and to support our community during these very uncertain times, the Y will begin hosting daily prayer calls.

Prayer calls will be held Monday-Friday at 9:30 a.m. and will be led by a member of the Y’s staff team. To participate, please follow the steps below. Please note the meeting ID number has changed from prior calls:

Dial (312) 626-6799
When prompted, enter the meeting ID of 623-283-850 and then press #
When prompted for a participant number, press #

If you would like to submit a message of prayer you can do so by clicking here.

We thank you for your continued support of the Y.

Keeping You Informed: Local Food Distribution Sites

March 18, 2020

LAST UPDATED: March 18, 3:30 p.m.

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA wants to help keep the community informed about food distribution available at various schools and pantries throughout the area. A breakdown of important information can be found below. Please note: All information is subject to change. Individuals should contact their local school or food pantry officials with any additional questions.

Joliet Public Schools District 86

Joliet Public Schools District 86 will provide FREE Grab and Go Meals to any child under the age of 18 years old from Tuesday, March 17 through Friday, March 20 2020, as well as Monday, March 30, 2020. The meals will be available for curbside pick-up at District 86 Junior High Schools for all District 86 Students from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Children are encouraged to be in the car when picking up the meals.

-Dirksen (Midland Avenue side parking lot-horseshoe, Door #18)
-Gompers (Briggs Street parking lot, Door #27)
-Hufford (Ingalls Avenue parking lot, Door #26)
-Washington (Richards Street parking lot, Door #24)

Plainfield School District 202

Free meals will be available for any child 18 years and younger. Families will be able to come in, grab a meal and go at the following times:

• 7:30-8:30 a.m.: Breakfast and Lunch meals may be picked up

• 12-1 p.m.: Lunch meals only may be picked up

• If you are not able to pick up a meal, please call (815) 577- 4046.

Meals can be picked up at your corresponding home high school. Please enter through the assigned door.

Families should pick up meals at the locations below based on student’s home school:

Plainfield South High School 7800 W Caton Farm Road, Plainfield (Door N)
-Ridge Elementary, Charles Reed Elementary, Meadow View Elementary, Thomas Jefferson Elementary Aux Sable Middle School, Drauden Point Middle School

Plainfield North High School 12005 S 248th Street, Plainfield (Door N)
-Freedom Elementary, Eagle Pointe Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Walker’s Grove Elementary, Heritage Grove Middle School, Ira Jones Middle School

Plainfield Central High School 24120 W Fort Beggs Drive, Plainfield (Door A)
-Central Elementary, Riverview Elementary, Wesmere Elementary, Grand Prairie Elementary, Crystal Lawns Elementary, Creekside Elementary, Timber Ridge Middle School, Indian Trail Middle School,Plainfield Academy, Bonnie McBeth Learning Center and Ina Brixey Learning Center

Plainfield East High School 12001 S. Naperville Road, Plainfield (Door N)
-Eichelberger Elementary, Liberty Elementary, Creekside Elementary, and Lakewood Falls Elementary, John F. Kennedy Middle School

Spanish Version

Call (815) 577-4046 if you cannot pick up a meal.

Morris School District 54

Free lunches will be provided for ALL children in Morris (18 years of age and under). If you would like to receive a lunch for your kids, please fill out this form. YOU MUST FILL OUT THE FORM SEPARATELY FOR EACH CHILD YOU ARE REQUESTING A LUNCH. If you cannot fill out the form for any reason, you may call the office at (815) 942-0056 to place your order. All orders need to be in by 10 am in order to be ready for that day’s pick-up. You may order for multiple days on the form or on your phone call.

Lunch Pick-Up will be each day from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Morris Grade School. Please come to Door 24 to pick-up the lunch. If you have any questions or additional needs, please contact your school administrator.

Fairmont School District 89

Fairmont School will be delivering breakfast and lunch on Tuesday and Thursday to the following locations:

-Fairmont School Parking Lot – 1:00 p.m.
-Corner of Princeton Ave. & Green Garden – 12:40 p.m.
-Church parking lot at Corner of Bruce & Green Garden – 1:20 p.m.
-Mt. Ebel Church Parking Lot – 1:30 p.m.

Elwood School District 203

Joliet Township High School has offered to serve the Elwood School students a free daily grab and go lunch during the five days of mandated closure, March 17-20 and March 30. LUNCH SERVICE IS NOT AVAILABLE DURING SPRING BREAK.

Lunches are available at:
– Joliet Central High School outside the main entrance from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
-Joliet West High School outside door #6 (near the cafeteria) from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

If the state mandated closure is continued past March 31, Elwood School will offer a grab and go lunch at their home facility, however, a tentative participation count is needed. Families are encouraged to complete the survery on the district website regarding the possible grab and go lunch program.

Troy School District 30-C

Troy CCSD 30-C will be offering both “grab and go” breakfast and lunch bags through our food service provider to all Troy community children under the age of 18. Pickup time is from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at the locations listed below:
–Craughwell Door #4 (front of building)
-Heritage Trail Door #5 (east side of building)
-TMS Door #3 (front of building)

Rockdale School District 84

Rockdale School District 84 is planning to provide meals for any child 18 years old and younger during the school closure, Tuesday, March 17th through Friday, March 20th and Monday, March 30th. Students will pick up both a breakfast and a lunch at the same time between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Breakfast and lunch will not be provided during Spring Break, March 23rd-27th . Both meals will be picked up at the same time each day on Connell Avenue at the crosswalk. Parents and students are encouraged to turn from Meadow Avenue and proceed north on Connell Avenue up to the crosswalk where staff will be waiting to hand both meals to parents or students.

Laraway School District 70-C

Laraway School District will have daily breakfast and lunch pickups at the Oak Valley School (now the National Hook Up of Black Women Headquarters) for any child 18 years old and younger during the school closure. The address is 1705 Richards Street in Joliet.

Students can pick up the current day’s lunch as well as the next day’s breakfast. The meals will be cold, grab & go options. Families should check the Laraway website www.laraway70c.org for changes or updates.

Minooka School District 111

Meals will be provided as needed for students on Wednesday, March 18th for pick up between the hours of 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Pick up will be at MCHS South Campus: 26655 W. Eames Street / Channahon, Illinois 60410 in the front of the building. There will be staff available to assist you during the pick up time. Meal packages will consist of meals for a number of days.

Union School District 81

More information will be posted when it becomes available.

Local Food Pantries

Please call ahead

Location Name	Adddress	City	Zip	Phone Number
Second Baptist Blessing Table and Food Pantry	156 S Joliet Street	Joliet	60436	815-726-3731 x 115
Blessing Bench Pantry	55 W Benton Street	Joliet	60432	815-722-4800
H.E.A.L Riverwalk Food Pantry	350 North Broadway	Joliet	60435	815-770-5672
Morningstar Mission	350 E Washington Street	Joliet	60433	815-722-5780
Spanish Community Center*	309 N Eastern Ave	Joliet	60432	815-727-3683
Sacred Heart – Family Table Soup Kitchen	329 S Ottawa Street	Joliet	60436	815-722-0295
Christ Temple Food Pantry	212 Richards Street	Joliet	60433	815-722-3505
Glory Tabernacle	459 N Ottawa St.	Joliet	60432	815-722-1350
St. John the Baptist Food Pantry	260 Division Street	Joliet	60435	815-727-1143
New Testament Fellowship	515 N Scott	Joliet	60432	815-774-0662
Salvation Army Joliet	300 Third Ave	Joliet	60433	815-726-4834
Warren Sharpe Community Center	454 S Joliet St	Joliet	60436	815-722-2727
Daybreak Shepherd’s Table	611 E Cass Street	Joliet	60432	815-774-4663
St. Patrick’s Food Pantry	710 W Marion Street	Joliet	60436	815-727-4746
Will County Baptist Temple	625 McDonough Street	Joliet	60436	815-726-4127
Life Spring/Iglesia Bethania Church Pantry	1000 Hacker Avenue	Joliet	60432	815-436-7633
Ridgewood United Community Pantry	301 Fairbanks Ave.	Joliet	60432	815-722-2383
Lively Hope Church Of God	308 N. Midland	Joliet	60435	815-741-2377
Lebanon Dist. Laymen Min Soup Kitchen	402 Singleton Place	Joliet	60436	815-723-9445
Forest Park Community Center	1017 Woodruff Road	Joliet	60432	815-727-7898
Fellowship Bible – Joliet	122 Morris Street	Joliet	60436	815-205-3005
Family Outreach Program Inc	1701 N Larkin Ave	Crest Hill	60403	815-730-9567
Calvary Church Pantry	129 W. Benton	Naperville	60540	630-851-7000
Plainfield Area Interfaith FP	22525 W Lockport St	Plainfield	60544	815-439-8394
Green Harvest Food Pantry	25448 Ruff St	Plainfield	60585	630-416-1109
St. John Lutheran Church	2650 Plainfield Road	Joliet	60435	815-439-2320
Harvest Baptist Food Pantry	5315 Douglas Road	Oswego	60543	630-554-3858
We Care of Romeoville	219 Arlington Drive	Romeoville	60446	815-919-3233
Romeoville Community Pantry	2 Belmont Drive	Romeoville	60446	815-570-9772
Love Fellowship Baptist Church	730 N. Independence Blvd	Romeoville	60046	815-886-8420
Soul Food Pantry	2800 Black Road	Joliet	60435	815-725-6835
Restoration Christian Church	114 Channahon Street	Shorewood	60404	815-513-0228
4KIDS Sake Food Pantry	192 Lily Cache Ln.	Bolingbrook	60490	630-945-1317
Lockport Fish Food Pantry	604 E 9th Street	Lockport	60441	815-588-3543
First Baptist Church Pantry	800 Thornton	Lockport	60441	815-838-4004
Fairmont Food Pantry	525 Barry Avenue	Lockport	60441	815-723-3577
New Testament Fellowship	515 N Scott	Joliet	60432	815-774-0662
We Care of Grundy County, Inc.	530 Bedford Rd.	Morris	60450	815-942-6389
Saratoga Tower	1700 Newton Place	Morris	60450	No number listed
Coal City Food Pantry	6805 E McArdle Road	Coal City	60416	815-216-3288
Minooka Bible Church	412 N Wabena Avenue	Minooka	60447	815-467-2205

*Hosting a food pantry every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its office, 309 N Eastern Ave, Joliet. Just bring an ID of any kind (student ID/state ID/Daybreak Shelter ID, etc).