Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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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.

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Enjoy Family Fun with ‘Shamrock Shenanigans’ at the Galowich Family YMCA this March

The Galowich Family YMCA is the place to be for all your ‘Shamrock Shenanigans’ this March! We are so excited to offer a wide range of St. Patrick’s Day themed youth, family, and fitness activities! See below for more details. 

VIP and Me – Clover Create with Me
Date and Time: Thursday, March 6, 9-10 a.m.

VIP and Me is the perfect opportunity for toddlers and preschoolers to bond with the very important people in their lives! Stop by the Y and craft a few clover creations to bring home for St. Patrick’s Day! PLEASE NOTE: Activities designed for ages 2-5

Cost: $10 for Facility Members/$20 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

St. Paddy’s Divin’ for Gold
Date and Time: Friday, March 14, 4-7 p.m.

Members are invited to dive into the depths of the lap pool to collect “Leprechaun Gold” tokens. The tokens can then be exchanged for prizes. PLEASE NOTE: Participating children will be swim tested. Families are reminded to bring their own swimsuits and towels.

Cost: Free and open to the community
REGISTER TODAY

Clover Hunt
Date and Time: Friday, March 14, 5:15-5:45 p.m

Grab your flashlight and a bag, a silly leprechaun has left behind clovers to find! Who knows, you may find that special clover with gold on it! Prizes will be available. Open to ages 3-10. PLEASE NOTE: Start time is 5:15 for ages 3-5 and 5:30 for ages 6-10

Cost: Free and open to the community
REGISTER TODAY

Friday Family Fitness – Over the Rainbow Zumba
Date and Time: Friday, March 14, 6-7 p.m.

If you are looking for some family fun, look no further than Friday Family Fitness at the Y! You’ll be over the rainbow with a special Zumba event! This low-impact, high energy class will give you and your family an awesome workout! Remember to wear your green!

Cost: Free and open to the community
REGISTER TODAY

Shamrock Stroll and Scavenger Hunt
Date and Time: Monday, March 17, 10-11 a.m.

Dress in green and join the Shamrock Stroll around the track while taking part in a scavenger hunt, prize raffles, and more!

Cost: Free and open to the community
REGISTER TODAY

If you have any questions about these events, please contact the Y at (815) 744-3939.

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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

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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]

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Announces New Partnership with Joliet Junior College to Serve Youth in the Community

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA was proud to announce a new partnership with Joliet Junior College (JJC) at a special ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, February 6. This partnership will strengthen both organizations’ shared commitment to serve youth in the community, offering invaluable services and programs to children throughout the year. 

Through this new partnership, the YMCA and JJC will work together to host programming on the college’s Main Campus. These programs will include year-round youth sports leagues and camps, offered as part of YMCA Junior Wolves, where youth will have the opportunity to train with JJC athletes and coaches and YMCA staff. Another initiative is the newly launched Paws on the Street program, which brings JJC student-athletes into schools and the YMCA’s after-school Kid Zone program to mentor and inspire younger students. This spring, the YMCA Junior Wolves NFL flag football league, supported in part by a partnership with the Chicago Bears, will also be hosted at JJC, giving local youth access to high-quality training and facilities.

“Our mission at JJC goes beyond education—it’s about building community,” said JJC President Dr. Clyne Namuo. “By welcoming these YMCA programs to our campus, we are not just providing space; we are creating new opportunities for young people to grow, explore and feel a sense of belonging at JJC.”

JJC first opened its doors to the YMCA in 2024, with the YMCA Teen REACH summer day camp program running on-site for 10 weeks. The success of that initiative laid the foundation for a more formalized collaboration, and the new partnership will allow the Y to work together with JJC to host additional programming on the college’s main campus.

“We are so grateful to our partners at JJC for sharing their beautiful facilities with the YMCA and the kids and families we have the privilege of serving in our programs each day,” said Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair. “Together, we will work tirelessly to reimagine the ways we can support families in the greater Joliet area by expanding YMCA summer camps and youth sports programs.”

To help facilitate this partnership, several members of the Y’s Joliet Youth Development Team will work onsite in an office located inside the JJC Event Center.

“We are very excited to roll up our sleeves and begin working with the team here at JJC to expand Y programs and serve families in Joliet,” said YMCA Operations Director Brooke Hall. “With this wonderful facility and this new partnership, the sky’s the limit.”

For more information about upcoming YMCA programs at JJC, contact Joliet Community YMCA Executive Director Brooke Hall at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 316.

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Save During the YMCA’s NFL FLAG Football League Sale

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is excited to offer new NFL FLAG Football Leagues this spring and now is the perfect time for families to save on registration!

YMCA NFL FLAG Football League Sale

Save $10 when you register for an NFL FLAG football league between February 7-10.

Use promo code: NFLFLAG10OFF when registering online.

Valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location. Some restrictions may apply.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
League Dates: April 28-July 12
Age Divisions: 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, and 13-14
REGISTER ONLINE

Galowich Family YMCA (In partnership with Joliet Junior College)
League Dates: April 28-July 12
Age Divisions: 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-14, and 14-17
REGISTER ONLINE

Morris Hospital YMCA
League Dates: April 28-Jun 28
Age Divisions: 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, and 13-14
REGISTER ONLINE

Full league details are available here. If you have any questions, please contact the sports department at your local Y branch:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Maria Freeh, Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 217

Galowich Family YMCA
Zach Jarosz, Sports Manager
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 317

Morris Hospital YMCA
Chris Interial, Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 514

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