Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Home Depot-Joliet Provides Generous Donation of Garden Beds for Salvation Army Summer Day Camp Location

The Joliet Community YMCA is dedicated to providing a well-rounded and enriching curriculum for children who attend YMCA Summer Day Camp and we are excited to share that we have received a generous gift from Home Depot-Joliet to assist with future activities at our Salvation Army Joliet Corps Community Center camp location.

Home-Depot provided funds and installation services for four raised garden beds that will be located on the east side of the building. Construction will be completed next spring with gardening activities set to begin with the start of summer day camp next May.

“The Y is immensely grateful to receive this amazing gift from Home-Depot Joliet,” Greater Joliet Area YMCA Mission Advancement Director Donnie Chestnutt said. “Summer day campers thrive when provided a wide range of heath and wellness education opportunities, and we know these garden beds will help improve the experience for each child attending camp at the Salvation Army.”

We would like to thank Home Deport-Joliet for their generosity, including volunteer support from Milton Hughes, Crystal Borsom, Kelly Declan, Aaron Kennedy, Tionne Anderson, and Angie Gall, as well as all the efforts of the Y staff team who assisted with this project.

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Ready, Set, Run: Registration for Junior Wolves Running Camp is Underway!

The YMCA is teaming up with Joliet Junior College’s (JJC) nationally recognized Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field teams to host a winter running camp. Led by JJC’s coaches and student-athletes, this two-day, co-ed camp will help runners build speed, agility, and develop smart running strategies. Perfect for young runners of all skill levels, this camp combines expert instruction with fun drills and games to improve movement, confidence, and endurance.

Whether you’re training for track, cross country, or just love to run, you’ll leave this camp faster, sharper, and more excited about running than ever!

Dates: Monday, December 28 and Tuesday, December 29
Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Cost: $60
Location:
Joliet Junior College – Event Center
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431

Open to ages 4-15

REGISTER TODAY

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Kid Zone Programs Participating in Lights on Afterschool Celebration on October 22

The time has come! The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is proud to be joining the Afterschool Alliance and thousands of afterschool programs for the nation’s showcase of afterschool programs: Lights On Afterschool! 

Afterschool programs like YMCA Kid Zone provide the fun and safe environment youth need to explore new things, build meaningful connections, and reach their full potential. On October 22, we’re helping to shine a light on the important role of afterschool programs in our community with special activities at each of our Kid Zone sites in Plainfield, Joliet, Morris, Shorewood, Minooka, Bolingbrook, and Romeoville!

Since its launch in 2000, Lights On Afterschool has been the only nationwide rally celebrating afterschool programs. Every year, more than 8,000 afterschool programs across the country draw 1 million people to join celebrations of the impact these programs have on children, families, and communities.

We can’t wait to shine the lights on afterschool!

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2027 YMCA Gala Slated for February 27

Sponsorship Opportunities Coming Soon

Mark your calendars and plan to attend the 2027 YMCA Gala on Saturday, February 27, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. This elegant evening, which is generously presented by Midland States Bank, celebrates charitable giving at the YMCA by showcasing the Y’s impact in our community and the generous donors, like you, who help to make our mission come to life each and every day. Festivities will include dinner, silent and live auctions, exciting raffles, and entertainment.

Now in its 19th year, the YMCA Gala has raised more than $2.3 million to benefit children, adults, and families living in our community. Funds raised from the 2027 Gala will benefit the Y’s Mission Strong Fund, which helps to ensure that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay.

Tickets for the 2027 YMCA Gala will go on sale in January. Exciting sponsorship opportunities for the Gala will be available beginning next week.

To learn about this year’s event, please visit our Event Headquarters or contact:

EVENT INFORMATION
Dori Fugate
Volunteer and Special Events Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 782-0502

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
Donnie Chestnutt
Mission Advancement Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 782-0800

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YMCA Invites Troy School District 30C Families to Special Open House Event

In appreciation of our valued partnership with Troy School District 30C, YMCA is excited to host a special Open House for Troy students and families. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore our new Village of Shorewood YMCA facility, meet our dedicated team, and discover the expanded programs and services offered by the Village of Shorewood YMCA and the Joliet Community YMCA to support your family.

Date: Wednesday, October 21
Time: 5-9 p.m.
Location: 
Village of Shorewood YMCA
1801 W. Jefferson Street
Shorewood, IL 60404

Plan to join us for this fun-filled evening to learn more about what the Y can do for your family!

-Play in the gym

-Make crafts and play games in the Activity Center from 5-8 p.m.

-Visit with the Y team from 5-7 p.m. and learn more about Joliet Community YMCA programs

-Swim in the lap pool (Open Swim begins at 7 p.m. Open house guests are invited to use the lap pool until the pool closes at 8:30 p.m.) *

*SAFETY FIRST: Per YMCA policy, swimmers under the age of 15 will be swim tested by a YMCA lifeguard and will be required to wear the appropriate wristband for the duration of their visit. Red wristband swimmers must be accompanied in the water by an adult at all times.

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YMCA Junior Wolves Program Set to Host Youth Basketball Clinics on December 12

The YMCA’s Junior Wolves program is here to help youth basketball players prepare for the upcoming YBL season by hosting special clinics this December! 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, December 12
Grades 5-12
8:30-9:30 a.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Grades Pre-K-4
9:30-10:30 a.m.
REGISTER TODAY

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 18 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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