Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Morris Hospital YMCA Invites the Community to Participate in Focus Group Activities

As we strive to meet the needs of our community, the Morris Hospital YMCA is excited to host focus group activities to help identify programs and services that members local residents would like to see offered at the Y. 

Date: Thursday, October 2

Times:
Senior Programming
9:15-10 a.m. 

Preschool/Youth & Family Programming
10-10:45 a.m. 

These events will be held in the Community Room are open to the community. Light refreshments will be served. Stop by and share your feedback! 

If you have any questions, please contact Youth and Family Director Jordan Overton at (815) 513-8080, ext. 513 or [email protected]. 

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C.W. Avery Family YMCA Announces Updates to Daily Visitor Policy

To best meet the needs of Y members, the C.W. Avery Family YMCA will be limiting daily visitors during the week.

The following restrictions will go into effect beginning Monday, September 15 and will continue through Friday, May 29:

Monday-Friday
Daily passes will be available for purchase between 5 a.m.-3 p.m. ONLY.

Saturday and Sunday
Daily passes will be available for purchase during all open hours.

These restrictions will NOT apply to guests of YMCA members or individuals using a once-yearly web pass, which is available on the YMCA’s website. YMCA Facility Members enjoy unlimited guest passes (one guest per day) throughout the year so they can share the Y experience with family and friends. However, individual guests are limited to three visits per calendar year.

For additional information, please visit the Membership Desk during your next visit.

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Village of Shorewood YMCA Invites Community to Attend ‘Coffee with the YMCA’ Events

As we prepare to open the new Village of Shorewood YMCA in spring 2026, the Y is excited to invite the community to participate in our ‘Coffee with the YMCA’ events this fall! These meet and greets will be wonderful opportunities to learn more about the new facility, future programming, membership opportunities, and grand opening festivities.

Thursday, September 25*
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Shorewood-Troy Public Library
650 Deerwood Drive
Shorewood, IL 60404

*Complimentary child care services will be available onsite at this meeting.

Wednesday, October 8
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Minooka Village Hall
121 McEvilly Road
Minooka, IL 60447

To learn more about the new Village of Shorewood YMCA, please contact Executive Director Trisha Dust at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 327.

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Hosts Wall Signing Ceremony for Future Village of Shorewood YMCA


The Greater Joliet Area YMCA welcomed supporters to the site of the future Village of Shorewood YMCA for a special wall signing ceremony on Thursday, August 28. 

YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair kicked off the event by welcoming guests and thanking members of the building team, including Narvick Bros. General Contractors, for their round the clock work to construct the facility in preparation for its planned opening in spring 2026.   

Leclair also recognized the YMCA’s Board of Directors, the Village of Shorewood YMCA Advisory Council, the Village of Shorewood leadership team, mayor and trustees, and YMCA employees and members for their support of this exciting project. 

“At the Y, we are so blessed to have the very best team of staff, volunteers, members, donors, and community partners working together to create thriving spaces and engaging programs to serve our community,” Leclair said.

Leclair then introduced Village of Shorewood Advisory Council Chairman Dr. Karla Guseman, who provided the morning’s invocation. 

Shorewood Mayor CC DeBold then stepped to the podium to speak about the Village’s vision for the future facility. He emphasized that Y programs will provide fun activities like youth sports leagues for kids, as well as important health, wellness, and recreation opportunities for residents of all ages, all while creating employment opportunities within the Shorewood community. 

DeBold then welcomed YMCA Board of Directors Chairman Cheri Rubocki, who described how the opening of the Shorewood facility will serve as one of the highlights of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Centennial Celebration in 2026. 

“As our YMCA prepares to celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2026, we are very excited to create more opportunities for our friends and neighbors to learn, grow, and thrive at the YMCA,” Rubocki said. “Like all of you, I am counting down the days until we can cut the ribbon, open the doors, and officially welcome our community to the new Village of Shorewood YMCA!”

Illinois State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, who helped to secure grant funding for the project from the State of Illinois, followed with brief remarks about the importance of investing in our communities.

Village of Shorewood YMCA Executive Director Trisha Dust closed the event by sharing her excitement for the ongoing preparations and thanking everyone for attending. She then invited guests to enter the facility and ceremoniously autograph their name on a wall located at the heart of the new facility, securing a legacy of collaboration that will last for years to come.  

To learn more about the future Village of Shoewood YMCA, visit the branch homepage today!

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Staying Active for Life: Sid Skidmore’s Y Story

At the Y, we are proud to support members as they reach their goals and mark important health and wellness milestones. And that is why we are so excited to shine the spotlight on Morris Hospital YMCA member Sid Skidmore, who celebrated his 100th birthday on August 29. 

Sid, a retired engineer, moved to Morris a few years ago to be closer to family and said he has been a member of various YMCAs over the years. When the new facility opened in Morris last December, he saw the perfect opportunity to get back into working out. 

“I realized I had lost a lot of my strength so I thought I better try and get some of it back,” he said. “They’ve done a great job with this brand new Y. It has everything you need.”

Sid visits the Y multiple times per week, arriving at 7 a.m. for each visit, and completes a regimented workout using the strength machines in the wellness center.  

“When you get old, you find you have to have a routine or you’ll forget something. I have routines for everything.” he said. “The Y is definitely the best place to go for exercising and for meeting other people, too. I’ve made a lot of friends here. It’s fun to chat for a few minutes each morning while you’re working out.”

According to Sid, the secrets to turning 100 are more than just an active lifestyle; good genes and a lifetime of healthy eating play a big role as well.

“When I was a kid, my mother would go shopping every other day so we always had fresh vegetables and fresh meat. And we never had anything like soda or fountain drinks, so I never got in the habit of drinking any of that stuff. I think that’s part of it,” he said.

Sid said working out at the Y helps him with his other interests of playing golf and making stained glass windows. He also shared that he passed a recent driver’s test, a sign that he doesn’t have any plans of slowing down, even after hitting the century mark. 

“I used to plan out five to ten years ahead. Now that I’ve hit 100, I think I can still plan for five years ahead,” he said.  

On behalf of the entire Y community, we would like to wish Sid a very happy 100th birthday and thank him for being a part of our YMCA family!

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Meet Joliet Community YMCA Operations Director Brooke Hall

The Joliet Community YMCA (JCY) is an innovative initiative that brings vital YMCA youth development, sports, and family programming to neighborhood locations throughout the greater Joliet community.

With offices located on the main campus of Joliet Junior College (JJC), the Joliet Community YMCA partners with area churches, local school districts, and other likeminded community organizations to provide year-round programs for Joliet residents of all ages. This initiative reaffirms the YMCA’s ongoing commitment to equity, access, and innovation in serving the community.

This week, we are highlighting the amazing staff members who bring JCY programs to life, and we are so excited to start with Operations Director Brooke Hall!

Brooke has more than 13 years of career experience at the Y, having served in various roles across our sports, membership, and child care departments. Her passion for youth development has helped create positive spaces for families to grow and thrive, and you can learn more about her in the Q&A below.

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I grew up in a small town in Indiana and was blessed to receive an athletic scholarship to play basketball in college. I played at New Mexico State University and later at the University of West Florida, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in communications and advertising. Shortly after, I earned my teaching license in physical education and health, as well as a certificate in early childhood administration. I coached women’s basketball at the high school and collegiate levels for a few years and also worked in the corporate fitness industry. Eventually, I found my “home away from home” at the YMCA. 

Q:  What has your Y experience been like?

I didn’t know anything about the YMCA until my late 20’s. I was a struggling single mom when a friend suggested that I check out the Y because nobody is turned away due to the inability to pay. I applied for the Y scholarship program, became a member, and enrolled my son in preschool programs, swim lessons, and the youth basketball league. I loved the family-friendly atmosphere at the Y so much that I decided to apply for a job there – and I haven’t left since! Being a part of the Y has truly changed my life. It gave me a sense of purpose, a strong community, and the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.

Q: Why do you have a passion for youth development?

My passion for youth development started with sports. Whether it was coaching basketball, or volunteering to help run camps and clinics, no matter what job I held, I always found myself drawn back to working with youth. I’m driven by the opportunity to be a positive influence during a child’s formative stages, and I find real purpose in helping young people discover their strengths, build confidence, and develop the skills they need to succeed.

Q: What excites you about upcoming JCY programs?

I’m proud to have an incredible leadership team that has thoughtfully planned a variety of exciting programs for our Joliet families! We’re thrilled to offer these programs at multiple locations throughout the city, making it more convenient for families to participate. I’m especially excited about the opportunity to meet families where they are and create more accessible, engaging experiences for everyone. 

Q: What activities do you enjoy outside of the Y?

I enjoy spending time with my husband Warren and sons Donte (age 18) and Donovan (age 10). On the weekends, you will usually find me supporting my boys at sporting events, attending comedy shows, or hanging out and playing games with friends and family. My husband is a stand-up comedian and performs on cruise lines, so when I take a vacation, it is usually on a boat! Fall is my favorite season because of football, the beautiful colors of changing leaves and, of course, pumpkin and apple cider donuts!

We are so proud to have Brooke leading the JCY staff team! If you would like to learn more about JCY programs and initiatives, you can contact Brooke at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 316. To view JCY programs available this fall, check out our fall program guide.

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United Way