Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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YMCA Members Invited to Participate in Fight to Be Fit Health and Wellness Challenge

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Y wants to help by encouraging our community to participate in a special Fight to Be Fit Health and Wellness Challenge!

Here’s how it works:

  • Participants will use a special punch card to track their participation in group fitness classes throughout the month of October. (Punch cards can be picked up by visiting the Membership Desk).
  • Upon attending their tenth class, participants will turn in their punch card and receive a special pink bandana.

PLEASE NOTE: Free and open to YMCA Facility Members only.

Let’s show our support and get stronger together!

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2025 Golf Classic Raises Nearly $67,000 for YMCA Mission Strong Fund

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA was proud to kickstart an impactful fall during our annual Mission Strong Golf Classic, which was held on Wednesday, September 17 at ‘The Creek’ in Morris. It was truly a day to remember as a generous group of YMCA supporters helped raise nearly $67,000 at the annual outing. 

Funds raised from the outing, which was generously presented by Midland States Bank, will benefit the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, helping to ensure that no one is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay. Now in its fourth year, the Mission Strong Golf Classic has raised more than $265,000 to provide financial assistance for children, adults, and families living in our community. 

Golfers enjoyed lunch, 18 holes of golf, on-course games, and an evening program that included a cocktail reception, dinner, and exciting raffles. Participants also had the opportunity to learn more about the Y’s mission and pledge their support by making a charitable donation to the Y’s scholarship program through our ‘Clear the Pond’ fundraiser.

The 2025 Mission Strong Golf Classic volunteer planning committee included: Maria Macris, Kristin Orban, Whitney Valdivia, and Barb Ziegner. Donnie Chestnutt, Dori Fugate, Carolyn Hamilton, and Sarah Slomka provided staff support.

Our generous sponsors included:

Presenting Sponsor
Midland States Bank

Leading Sponsors
Narvick Bros. General Contracting/Construction Managers
Old National Bank

Titanium Sponsors
BMO Wealth Management
D’Arcy Chevrolet
Edward Jones
Endeavor Health
Grundy Bank
Hollywood Casino
Hope Bound Development Corporation-Housing Authority of Joliet
Joliet Bank & Trust, a Wintrust Bank
Joliet Junior College
L. DeGeus & Associates
Low Voltage Solutions
Turk Furniture
UChicago AdventHealth Bolingbrook 

Graphite Sponsors
DeBold Topsoil & Trucking
Hometown National Bank
Midwest Equipment Group
NorthPoint Development, LLC
Window World of Joliet

Golfer’s Choice Sponsors
Alida C. Bliss Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
Baish Excavating, Inc.
Chris and Suzy Brown
C and J Avery Family Foundation
Hamilton & Antonsen, Ltd.
Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
Rieke Interiors
Dr. Theresa Rouse
Silver Cross Hospital
Testa Steel Constructor, Inc.
Voorn, Jaworski & Preston, PLLC

Exclusive Hole Sponsors
Associated Orthodontists
Busey Bank
“D” Construction, Inc.
Fidelity National Title
Kozol Bros., Inc./Miller Lite
Old Second Bank
Rod Baker Ford
Servpro

Hole Sponsors
Margie Bonuchi, Plainfield Village Trustee
Burks Bros. Drywall
The Butkus Family
Financial Plus Credit Union
JB Contracting Corp
Larson Engineering, Inc.
Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
PLZ Corp
Pursuit Wealth Group
Ron Tirapelli Ford
State Farm – Howard Wright
Young Company

In-Kind Support
Graphic Promotions, Inc.

We’re thrilled to announce that in 2026 the Y will celebrate its 100th Anniversary! We look forward to launching our Centennial Celebration at the YMCA Gala on Saturday, February 28, at Bolingbrook Golf Club. Be sure to mark your calendars as well for the 2026 Mission Strong Golf Classic, which will take place Monday, August 31, at Morris Country Club. To make a tax-deductible donation to the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, please click here.

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YMCA Junior Wolves Program to Host Youth Basketball and Coaching Clinics

The YMCA’s Junior Wolves program is here to help youth basketball players and coaches prepare for the upcoming YBL season by hosting special clinics this fall! These FREE co-ed clinics will be taught by JJC’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Shaun Sanderson and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Danny Turner alongside members of their respective teams.

Youth Basketball Clinics

These sessions will focus on teaching young athletes the fundamentals of the game of basketball, including dribbling, passing, shooting, and ball handling.

Saturday, October 25
Grades 5-12
8:30-10 a.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Grades Pre-K-4
10:30 a.m.-Noon
REGISTER TODAY

Following, all participants and their families are invited to cheer on JJC during the annual women’s basketball Alumni game.

Coaches Clinic

These sessions will provide coaches with an overview of skills, drills, practice schedules, and game strategies for the upcoming YMCA youth basketball season. Session topics will vary based on grade level, but coaches are welcome to participate in all sessions.

Friday, December 5
6-7:30 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

All clinics will be held at the following location:
Joliet Junior College Event Center
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431


ABOUT COACH SANDERSON
As the winningest coach in the program’s history, Coach Sanderson has been at the helm of the JJC women’s basketball program for 17 seasons. Since becoming the head coach at JJC, Sanderson has helped more than 50 athletes extend their playing careers at four-year institutions and was named the 2025 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Collegiate Women’s NJCAA Division III Coach of the Year.

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT COACH TURNER
Coach Turner became the head men’s basketball coach at JJC in 2022, bringing more than 30 years of coaching experience at both the high school and collegiate levels to the Wolves program. Turner has also worked as an instructor at several high-profile camps in the Chicagoland area, including the Chicago Bulls Basketball Academy, Northwestern University, and DePaul University basketball camps.

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Helping Kids Thrive: Emerson Hayden’s Y Story

Each day, students in the YMCA’s Before & After School Kid Zone program explore a positive learning environment where they form foundational skills, develop healthy, trusting relationships, and build self-reliance through the Y values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. This includes kids like nine-year old Emerson Hayden, a fourth grade student at Central Elementary School in Plainfield School District 202.

Emerson is currently in his fifth year attending Kid Zone, and his mom, Ashleigh, said the family’s connection to the program deepens each year. 

“Some of the counselors have become like family to us,” Ashleigh said. “They’re just as invested in his growth as we are.”

Ashleigh noted a recent instance where YMCA staff helped Emerson study for a geography test covering state capitals. 

“They went above and beyond to help and their support gives him a lot of confidence,” she said. 

In addition to academic support, Ashleigh said the Y’s focus on social interaction has been vital for Emerson’s development.

“One area we’ve really seen growth in him is resolving conflict and considering other people’s feelings and ideas. Emerson is an only child and he needed to learn about sharing and, like all kids, he needed help with decision making. The counselors foster teamwork and creativity, and he’s built lasting friendships with the other kids in the program,” she said. 

Ashleigh believes the program’s curriculum also helps to keep students engaged while nurturing independence.

“We have neighbors and friends who are in the program, and we have told them how great it is that there is a balance of structure and freedom with the activities,” she said.

It’s clear to see that the Kid Zone program has become an essential piece of the Hayden family’s day-to-day life. 

“It’s an affordable, reliable program for parents. It has given us flexibility to confidently manage work and family responsibilities. For me, as a mom, knowing that Emerson is safe, happy, and thriving gives me peace of mind,” Ashleigh said. 

We would like to thank Ashleigh and her husband, Chris, for their support of the Y, and we wish Emerson the best of luck throughout the 2025-26 school year!

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Celebrate Halloween at the YMCA

Prepare yourselves! This October, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has a series of spooky, Halloween-themed activities planned for you and your family. Join us for ‘Spook-tacular’ fun!

Galowich Family YMCA

Boo Bash
Friday, October 17
6-8 p.m.

Join us for our spooktacular family-friendly events with activities, games, candy, and more! These events are free and open to the community.

REGISTER TODAY

To learn more, please contact Youth and Family Director Tracy Wrase at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 315.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 18
1-3 p.m.

Stop by the C.W. Avery Family YMCA for our exciting Halloween Spooktacular! We will have a Trunk-or-Treat as well as spooky activities, games, crafts, and more!

Cost: Free and open to the community

REGISTER TODAY

If you are interested in hosting a trunk, please contact Youth and Family Director James Wagner at [email protected] or (815) 267-8600, ext. 234.

Kids’ Night Out: Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree
Friday, October 24
6:30-9 p.m.

Join us for a variety of activities such as games, sports, movies, and arts & crafts. Be sure to wear your Halloween costumes! PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance.

Cost: $20 for Facility Members/$40 for Community Members

REGISTER TODAY

Morris Hospital YMCA

Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 25
10-11:30 a.m.

Location:
Morris Grade School
2001 Dupont Ave
Morris, IL 60450

Join us for our exciting Halloween Spooktacular with trunks decorated by local businesses and Morris Hospital!

Cost: Free and open to the community

REGISTER TODAY

If you would like to host a trunk during this event, please contact Youth and Family Director Jordan Overton at [email protected] or (815) 513-8080, ext. 513.

Joliet Community YMCA

Monster Mash
Saturday, October 25
1-3 p.m.

Location:
Salvation Army Community Center
300 E 3rd Avenue
Joliet, IL 60433

REGISTER TODAY

To learn more, please contact Youth and Family Manager Keyanna Montgomery [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 362.

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Joilet Community YMCA Set to Offer College Planning Workshop This October

YMCA Teen Achievers workshops are free and open to the community, providing area students with important resources they can use to prepare for life after high school. Next month the workshop topic will be:

Finding Free Money for College
Date: Saturday, October 18
Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Location:
Joliet Junior College Event Center
Room 2001
1215 Houbolt Road Joliet, IL 60431 

This workshop will include tips for starting your college search, identifying possible red flags in your school choice, finding scholarships, and completing scholarship applications. All attendees will have access to an array of scholarship options and find answers to other commonly asked questions. This event is primarily for high school juniors and seniors, but freshmen and sophomores are welcome to attend. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to attend as well. 

Facilitator: Kacey Helland, Teacher from the Plainfield South High School World Language Department

Kacey is a former YMCA Teen Achievers facilitator with more than a decade of teaching experience. She has earned degrees in Spanish, Secondary Education, and Educational Leadership, and is excited to help students on their educational journey. 

REGISTER TODAY

To learn more about this event, please contact:

Darrell Collins
Teen REACH & Teen Achievers Director
Phone: (815) 782-0828
Email: [email protected]

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United Way