Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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C.W. Avery Family YMCA Advisory Council Set to Host Celebrity Bartender Event on October 8

The C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Advisory Council is excited to once again host a special Celebrity Bartender Event! Stop by to see some of your favorite Y friends and support a great cause! All cash tips collected at the bar will benefit the YMCA Mission Strong Fund. Please remember to bring cash for raffles and to tip your bartender. Complimentary appetizers will be served. 

Date:
Thursday, October 8

Time:
6-9 p.m.

Location:
Backroads Burger & Bar
13717 S. Route 30, Suite 101
Plainfield, IL 60544

Celebrity bartender list still to be announced. Stay tuned for updates!

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Nicor Gas Foundation Pledges $5,000 in Support of YMCA Mission Strong Fund

Every day the Greater Joliet Area YMCA affirms its commitment to making a positive impact in the community. Y programs open opportunities to all generations, ensuring that every individual feels a sense of belonging. And as a non-profit, community-based organization, the YMCA relies on the generosity of its members and the support of charitable giving to offer these services and programs for children, adults and families living in our community.

That is why the YMCA would like to thank the Nicor Gas Foundation, which recently provided a $5,000 donation in support of the YMCA Mission Strong Fund.

“Fulfilling the Y mission is not possible without the kindness of organizations like Nicor,” said Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair. “We are so proud to have Nicor as a strong advocate for YMCA initiatives, and we are inspired by their dedication to our community. This gift will make a significant impact on the lives of the children and families we serve, helping to ensure that nobody is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay,” added Leclair.

To learn more about the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, please click here. To show your support by making a donation, please click here.

Pictured in top photo (left to right):  Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair, Nicor Gas Community Affairs Manager Cheryl Denton, Nicor Gas Community Relations Manager Ashley Bennett, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Mission Advancement Director Donnie Chestnutt, and Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Business Development Officer Missy Durkin. 

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Joliet Community YMCA Teen REACH Program Receives Generous $5,000 Donation from Jackson Generation

At the Y, we believe the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for life. As a result of the YMCA’s Teen REACH Program, which offers after school care and summer day camp activities for middle school students in Joliet District 86, youth in our community take a greater interest in learning, develop an understanding of positive behaviors, explore their unique talents and interests, and make smarter life choices to help them realize their potential. That makes for confident kids today and contributing and engaged adults tomorrow.

But we can’t do it alone. As a non-profit, community-based organization, the YMCA relies on the generosity of its members and the support of charitable giving to provide services and financial assistance for children and families living in our community.

That is why the YMCA would like to thank Jackson Generation, which recently provided a $5,000 donation to support of Teen REACH.

“Jackson Generation shares the Y’s commitment to service and we know the support of local businesses is what allows Y programs to thrive,” Joliet Community YMCA Executive Director Brooke Hall said. “We are incredibly grateful for this gift and the role it will play in helping the Teen REACH program continue to have a positive impact on youth in our community”

To learn more about the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, please click here. To show your support by making a donation, please click here.

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Receives Generous $10,000 Gift from CITGO Lemont Refinery

No matter who you are, or what neighborhood you grew up in, the Y is a place for anyone who needs us. From summer camp to college prep, family events to team building sports programs, we give everyone the opportunities they need to feel like they belong. And as a non-profit, community-based organization, the Y relies on the generosity of its members and the support of charitable giving to provide services and financial assistance for children, adults and families in Will County and Grundy County. 

That is why the Greater Joliet Area YMCA would like to thank the CITGO Lemont Refinery, which recently provided a $10,000 donation in support of the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, helping ensure that nobody is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay.

To learn more about the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, please click here. To show your support by making a donation, please click here. 

Pictured in top photo (left to right):  CITGO Lemont Refinery Community Relations Advisor Mike Jostes, Joliet Community YMCA Junior High Care Director Alana Bailey, Joliet Community YMCA Before & After Care Director Tori Dutkiewicz, and CITGO Lemont Refinery Fixed Equipment Inspector Bob Phelan.

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2026 Send a Kid to Camp Campaign Raises More than $205,000

Over the past several weeks, generous Y supporters came together to raise more than $205,000 to help send kids to YMCA camp this summer!

Because of this incredible generosity, our 2026 Send a Kid to Camp Campaign was truly one for the record books – providing more than 4,100 days of camp for children in our community.

Whether by making a personal gift, sharing information about our 2026 Send a Kid to Camp Campaign on social media, or inviting friends and family members to learn more about the Y’s youth development work, we want to thank everyone in the Y community for making an AMAZING difference. With the help of charitable, kids have the opportunity to experience a summer filled with friendship, confidence, and unforgettable memories.

While this year’s campaign has officially come to a close, there’s still time to support the YMCA’s mission and help create opportunities for kids and families all year long.

PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT TODAY

Thank you for your careful consideration and commitment to making a difference for the kids in our community.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all gifts to the Greater Joliet Area YMCA are tax-deductible.

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Inspiring Generosity: How to Become a YMCA Chairman’s Roundtable Donor

The Chairman’s Roundtable (CRT) recognizes major donors whose annual charitable giving totals $1,000 or more in a calendar year. We honor CRT donors with special recognition according to their giving level. All CRT Partners are celebrated with custom banners displayed for a year at the branch of their choice.

Donor banners are displayed year-round in our three Greater Joliet Area YMCA locations, which welcome more than 775,000 visitors each year.

HOW TO BECOME A CRT DONOR

1. PLEDGE A DONATION

Contact the Development Team at (815) 782-0502 to pledge your gift of $1,000 or more.

2. DESIGN YOUR BANNER

All CRT donors have the opportunity to customize their banner. Please Note: CRT Donors will be asked to approve a final proof of their custom banner before it is printed. Customization details can be found below.

CRT Banner Customization

3. CHOOSE YOUR BANNER PLACEMENT

Our Development Team will notify donors when their banner has been hung in the YMCA location of their choice, so you can plan a visit to the Y and see it on display.

Banner Recognition Levels

Platinum Partner through Visionary ($5,000 and up)
36″x72″ Custom Banner
Displayed at 3 YMCA Locations

Gold Partner ($3,000 and up)
36″x72″ Custom Banner
Displayed at 2 YMCA Locations of Your Choice

Silver Partner ($1,000-$2,999)
24″x36″ Custom Banner
Displayed at 1 YMCA Location of Your Choice

And don’t forget, now is the perfect time to give during our 2026 Send a Kid to Campaign. Learn more and donate online today by clicking here.

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United Way