Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Galowich Family YMCA Offering Fast Twitch Fitness Demonstration Classes

The Galowich Family YMCA is excited to offer new Fast Twitch Fitness demonstration classes for kids ages 9-14 this February!

Fast Twitch Fitness is a performance group training program for youth that focuses on sprint mechanics, proper force production and absorption, change of direction, core conditioning, and balance. Exercises will provide benefits to participants of any sport or activity.

DEMONSTRATION CLASS DATES
Monday, February 3
5-5:45 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Monday, February 24
5-5:45 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Cost: Free and open to the community

To learn more about health and wellness programs at the Galowich Family YMCA, please contact Health and Wellness Director Alissa Koenig at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939.

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Galowich Family YMCA Offering Free Swim Lesson Sampler Classes from January 23-25

The Galowich Family YMCA is offering FREE swim lesson sampler classes for kids, ages 3-13. Free and open to the community, this is a great opportunity for families to learn more about the YMCA’s swim lesson program. As part of the class, participants will complete a swim test to determine the best starting level for their first lesson at the Y!

DATES AND TIMES

Thursday, January 23 and Friday, January 24
Classes are available from 4:50-5:20 p.m., 5:25-5:55 p.m., and 6:00-6:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 25
Classes are available from 11:15-11:45 a.m. and 11:50 a.m-12:20 p.m.

Spots are limited, so register today!

REGISTER TODAY

If you have any questions about swim lessons at the YMCA, please contact:

Catie Wallis
Galowich Family YMCA Aquatics Director
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 320

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Set to Offer New NFL FLAG Football Leagues This Spring

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is excited to offer new NFL FLAG Football Leagues this spring. NFL FLAG is the largest flag football league in the U.S., and the only league where players can wear official NFL gear. Kids of all ages and skill levels will participate in a safe, non-contact environment, allowing boys and girls the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of football. In this program everyone plays, and everyone has fun!

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
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

Event locations, and practice/game schedules vary by branch. All participants will receive an NFL jersey and flag belt. Mouthguards are required and gloves are recommended. Rubber cleats are recommended, but gym shoes are also allowed. Metal cleats are not allowed. Participants are asked to wear pants/shorts that do not have pockets while competing in games.

Learn more here.

SPRING 2025 REGISTRATION FEES

Prior to February 25
$115 for Facility Members
$230 for Community Members

February 25-March 31
$125 for Facility Members
$250 for Community Members

April 1 and Beyond
$135 for Facility Members
$270 for Community Members

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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Morris Hospital YMCA Welcomes Community with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House


The Morris Hospital YMCA was proud to welcome the community to a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House on Saturday, January 11. 

Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair said that the celebration was the perfect way to culminate a project nearly 20 years in the making. 

“This building is a beacon of hope, a place of connection, and a space where people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can come together to learn, grow, and thrive. It’s where our shared vision of strengthening the foundations of our community will come to life and impact Grundy County residents for generations to come,” Leclair said. “To our donors, volunteers, our partners at Morris Hospital, the City of Morris, Grundy County, and to all of our YMCA members, I’d like to thank you for believing in the Y’s mission and making this dream a reality.” 

The new YMCA facility, which was made possible thanks to the largest charitable fundraising effort in Grundy County history, has now welcomed more than 4,000 visitors since opening its doors on December 16.

Additional Ribbon Cutting Speakers Included:
Christina Van Yperen, Grundy County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO
Donna Jeschke, Morris Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet Volunteer
Cheri Rubocki, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board of Directors Chairman
Tom Dohm, Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers President and CEO
Mayor Chris Brown, City of Morris
State Senator Sue Rezin, Illinois – 38th District
Missy Durkin, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Business Development Officer
Kevin Olson, Morris Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet Co-Chair
Guy Christensen, Morris Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet Co-Chair
Jamie Heitman, Morris Hospital YMCA Executive Director

At the conclusion of the Ribbon Cutting, the YMCA hosted a Community Open House from 1-4 p.m., which featured a wide range of activities, including facility tours, program demonstrations, group exercise classes, face painting, and arts and crafts. WCSJ was also onsite broadcasting live throughout the event.

Representatives from Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers were also on hand to provide tours of the Hospital’s new cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, physical, occupational and speech therapy, and cardiovascular and orthopedics and sports medicine spaces, which are located within the YMCA.   

Open House attendees also had the chance to participate in special raffles and giveaways, and pick up a commemorative grand opening t-shirt.

If you are interested in joining the Morris Hospital YMCA, now is the perfect time as our January Membership Sale is underway! You can join online today or by visiting the Y at 2200 W. Dupont Avenue in Morris.

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Morris Hospital YMCA Set to Host Community Open House on January 11

The Morris Hospital YMCA will host a Community Open House at its new Dupont Avenue location from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, January 11. Open to the community, this fun-filled event will provide YMCA members and area residents with the opportunity to explore the new Morris Hospital YMCA, meet the staff team, and learn more about all of the exciting programs and services the Y has to offer the community.

Invite your family and friends and make your plans to join us for this exciting celebration, which will include:

Facility Tours
Take a tour of our state-of-the-art facility, which features an eight-lane lap pool, a wellness center, group exercise studio, cycling studio, healthy eating kitchen, multi-purpose rooms, gathering and meeting spaces, engaging youth play spaces, a gymnasium, basketball courts, pickleball courts, indoor and outdoor walking tracks, outdoor fields, and a playground.

Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers Suite
Tour Morris Hospital’s new cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, physical, occupational and speech therapy, and cardiovascular and orthopedics and sports medicine facility, located within the YMCA.

Program Demonstrations
Learn more about our health and wellness, aquatics, youth development, and youth sports programs.

Meet our Team
Meet the Morris Hospital YMCA team, who will be on hand to answer your questions and help you get started on your YMCA journey.

Family Fun
Join us for activities throughout the facility:

Activity Center
-Friendship Bracelets (Available while supplies last)

Kids Corner
-Sing-a-longs, Arts and Crafts (Available while supplies last)

Community Room A
-Hot Chocolate Bar and Packaged Snacks (Available while supplies last)

Community Room B
-Face Painting and YMCA coloring activities (Available while supplies last)

Youth Program Room
-Free play STEM activities

Gymnasium
-Bounce House (1-4 p.m.)
-Basketball Skills (1-1:20 p.m.)
-Floor Hockey/Pillow Hockey (1:30-1:50 p.m.)
-Pickleball (2-2:20 p.m.)
-Soccer/Biddy Soccer (2:30-2:50 p.m.)
-Kickball (3-3:20 p.m.)
-Dodgeball (3:30-3:50 p.m.)

Group Exercise Room (Ages 13 and up)
-Pilates with Linette (1-1:20 p.m.)
-Hop-Hip Fit with Stacey (1:30-1:50 p.m.)
-Pound with Crystal (2-2:20 p.m.)
-Kickboxing with Shannon (2:30-2:50 p.m.)
-Hatha Flow Yoga with Sue (3-3:20 p.m.)

Special Offers and Giveaways
Take advantage of special membership opportunities, raffles, and giveaways. Plus, the first 1,000 adults who attend the Community Open House will receive a free commemorative t-shirt, while supplies last.

Make your plans to join us!

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Join the Y During Our January Membership Sale

The new year is the perfect time to join the Y!

During the Y’s January Membership Sale, new members and alumni members who join the Y will pay a $0 Joiner’s Fee – a savings of up to $120.

When you are a member of the Y, you show a commitment to more than just a healthy lifestyle. You support the values and programs that strengthen your community.

Current YMCA members who refer a friend to the Y can earn a FREE month of membership! To learn more, visit the Membership Desk at your local Y branch.

LEARN MORE

OUR FACILITY MEMBERS ENJOY:

Access to Three Branches

Your membership gives you unlimited use of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s four YMCA locations, including:

  • Three indoor pools and our family aquatic center, all fully programmed with activities for the entire family, including family swim time, swim lessons, aquatic fitness programs and lap lane access.
  • Three wellness centers, all equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment.
  • Free fitness orientations and daily group exercise classes (programs vary by location).

Quality Programming
In addition to our free group exercise classes, the Y offers year-round swim lessons, sports programs and personal training, among a slew of other options.

Child Care
If you have a Family Membership, you can drop your child(ren) off at our supervised playroom while you exercise.

Free Basic Access to the YMCA On the Go App
The On the Go App will provide Y members with access to the YMCA 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This new interactive tool is loaded with free workouts, on-demand videos, and nutrition tips.

Free Access to the My Y Rewards Program
Upon enrolling in the My Y Rewards Program, you’ll earn points each time you check-in, take a class, or refer a friend to the Y. In fact, you’ll earn your first 50 points for simply enrolling in the program. You can then redeem your points for fun Y swag and program and membership credits.

So Much More
A complete list of member benefits can be found here. You can also check out a full list of our programming by taking a look at our Winter 2025 Program Session Schedules.

*Programs, classes, and amenities vary by location and are subject to change

THREE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 Wallin Dr, Plainfield, IL 60544

Galowich Family YMCA
749 Houbolt Road, Joliet IL 60431

Morris Hospital YMCA
2200 W. Dupont Avenue, Morris, IL 60450

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