Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Love Where You Work: Join the YMCA’s Before and After School Care Team

At the Y, we know that learning doesn’t end when the school bell rings. The way children spend time outside the classroom can make a big difference in their personal development and family-life balance. YMCA before and after school care programs provide a safe place for children to keep their mind and body active while learning social skills and positive values.

Our before and after school team is dedicated to the Y’s mission and works tirelessly to meet the needs of the communities we serve. This group of talented and energetic staff is second to none, and we are now currently looking to hire new part-time employees to expand our team!

Positions Available:
-Kid Zone Counselors (Sites in Plainfield, Joliet, Bolingbrook, and Romeoville)
-Teen REACH Counselors (Sites in Joliet)

Part-Time Employees receive the following benefits:

  • A free YMCA Membership
  • May enroll their eligible children in Kid Zone at no cost
  • Save 25% off of Y programming
  • Have the opportunity to participate in the Y’s retirement plan (when eligibility requirements have been met)

Program hours vary by location.

APPLY ONLINE TODAY

To learn more, contact your local Y branch below:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA 

Plainfield School District 202
Lori Barrie
Before and After School Care Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 267-8600, ext. 205

Valley View CUSD 365U
Kassandra Lepe
Childcare Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 267-8600, ext. 211

Galowich Family YMCA

Elementary Schools in Joliet, Fairmont, Laraway, Rockdale, and Troy Districts
Tori Dutkiewicz
Before and After School Care Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 744-3939, ext. 307

Teen REACH After School Program in Joliet District 86
Darrell Collins
Teen REACH & Teen Achievers Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 744-3939, ext. 361

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Morris Hospital YMCA Set to Offer Special One-Day Fitness Clinics in July

The Morris Hospital YMCA is excited to offer special one-day fitness clinics throughout the month of July. These FREE clinics will give participants, ages 16 and up, a chance to explore new exercise options that will help them reach their health and wellness goals.

All clinics are open to YMCA Facility Members only. Instructor Maureen Keegan will lead all clinics. See below for more details.

TRX
Date: Friday, July 11
Times: 7-7:45 a.m. and 8-8:45 a.m.
This tutorial will give you the tools to feel comfortable using TRX straps to safely and effectively exercise all body parts.

REGISTER TODAY

HOW TO BUILD A CIRCUIT
Dates: Friday, July 18
Times: 7-7:45 a.m. and 8-8:45 a.m.
This informational class will help you learn new exercises, choose a workout regime that aligns with your goals and current fitness levels, and incorporate it all to a circuit workout you can do on your own on your time.

REGISTER TODAY

BEGINNER CYCLE
Date: Friday, July 25
Times: 7-7:20 a.m., 7:30-7:50 a.m., 8-8:20 a.m.
This clinic will teach you how to set up your spin bike for a group cycle class with an explanation of how the console on the bike works. Participants will receive 10-15 minutes of instruction and get a chance to demo a five-minute ride.

REGISTER TODAY

If you have questions about these clinics, or any other health and wellness programs at the Y, please contact Health and Wellness Director Ro Petersen at [email protected] or (815) 513-8080, ext. 517.

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YMCA Kid Zone Registration for the 2025-26 School Year Opens for Facility Members on April 12

We know that learning doesn’t end when the school bell rings. The way your children spend time outside the classroom can make a big difference in their personal development and your family-life balance.

That is why the Y is excited to partner with area school districts to offer our Kid Zone youth enrichment program at schools throughout Joliet, Plainfield, Morris, Bolingbrook, and Romeoville.

Kid Zone provides a safe place for children to keep their mind and body active while learning social skills and positive values. Our caring professionals are committed to helping kids build confidence and character.

Through guided play, children learn to respect themselves and others, work out their differences and discover the value of true friendship, all while in a safe and nurturing environment. Academic support from caring role models enriches your child’s educational experience and enables families to spend more quality time together.

Registration for the 2025-2026 school year opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 12 for Facility Members and at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 19 for Community Members!

REGISTER EARLY AND SAVE

Sign your child(ren) up for Kid Zone by Monday, April 28 and pay a $0 registration fee, a savings of $50!

To learn more about the Kid Zone Program, click here.

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Receives $850,000 Grant to Support Programming at the Salvation Army Joliet Corps Community Center

On Wednesday, February 19, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA was proud to announce an $850,000 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development that will support YMCA programming at the Salvation Army Joliet Corps Community Center. 

Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair, YMCA Operations Director Brooke Hall, Salvation Army Joliet Corps Community Center Pastor and Administrator Scott Hurula, and Salvation Army Associate Chicago Area Commander Major K. Kendall Mathews were joined by support staff from the YMCA and Salvation Army to welcome U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood for a special check presentation. Underwood, who championed the grant through the application process, was also presented with a special thank you message made by students in the YMCA’s before and after school Kid Zone are program. 

Leclair, Hall, Hurula, and Matthews reiterated that the grant will strengthen the YMCA’s partnership with the Salvation Army, which began with efforts to support e-learning for local students during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now helps provide summer day camp programming to area families.

Funds from the grant will be used to create a family innovations lab and STEAM programming space at the Salvation Army Community Center, allowing the YMCA to expand after school offerings as well as new activities during YMCA summer day camp.  

Features will include:

  • A computer programming and coding lab, including robotics and 3-D printing.
  • A fine arts studio for painting, sculpture, vocal and instrumental music, etc.
  • A video production studio, including green screen technology. 
  • A maker space where children and families can express their creativity.

We can’t wait to welcome students and families to these new spaces!

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Morris Hospital YMCA Offering Spring Programs for Homeschool Families

The Morris Hospital YMCA is excited to offer health, wellness, and arts programs for homeschool families this spring! These five-week programs are open to kids in Grades K-8.

Spring 1 Classes: March 10-April 20 (No classes held the week of March 24 during spring break.)
Spring 2 Classes: April 21-May 25

HOMESCHOOL SWIM
Enjoy an hour of swim time, split between 30 minutes of lessons and 30 minutes of open swim!

Grades K-8
Mondays, 11 a.m.-Noon

Beginner swim lesson/Advanced open swim
11:00-11:30 a.m.

Beginner open swim/Advanced swim lessons
11:30 a.m.-Noon

Cost: $55 for Facility Members/$110 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

HOMESCHOOL KIDS IN THE KITCHEN
This hands-on class is the perfect introduction to cooking and will get your young chef involved in making their own healthy meals!! Participants will experience a blend of education, nutrition, and fun with new recipes each week. Activities will focus on age-appropriate cooking techniques, fundamental kitchen skills, and kitchen safety.

Grades K-2
Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m.

Grades 3-8
Tuesdays, 9-10 a.m.

Cost: $65 for Facility Members/$130 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

HOMESCHOOL ART
This class is designed to unleash your child’s creativity by inspiring imagination and self-expression! Participants will have the opportunity for hands-on, engaging experiences where they can explore different art forms, techniques, and materials.

Grades K-2
Thursdays, 10-11 a.m.

Grades 3-8
Thursdays, 9-10 a.m.

Cost: $65 for Facility Members/$130 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

HOMESCHOOL PE
This class is a great opportunity for kids to participate in physical activity during the day. Participants will learn basic skills in different sports including basketball, soccer, volleyball, etc. while working on flexibility, agility, and cardio.

Grades K-2
Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m. or Thursdays, 10-11 a.m.

Grades 3-8
Tuesdays, 9-10 a.m. or Thursdays, 9-10 a.m.

Cost: $70 for Facility Members/$140 for Community Members
REGISTER TODAY

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Receives $5,000 Donation from ECOLAB

Through its commitment to youth development, the Y nurtures the potential of every child in its Before and After School Kid Zone programs by incorporating the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility in a safe, resource-rich environment for children in grades K-8. 

These efforts are made possible through the generosity of organizations like ECOLAB, which recently provided a $5,000 donation in support of the YMCA’s Kid Zone program. 

The Y would like to thank ECOLAB for this donation and the role it will play in providing important services to students and families this school year. 

To learn more about YMCA Kid Zone, please click here. To pledge your support for the Mission Strong Fund, make an online donation today or contact Mission Advancement Director Donnie Chestnutt at [email protected].

Pictured in top photo: (L-R) ECOLAB Senior Human Resources Business Partner Shreya Patel, ECOLAB Engagement and Inclucion Leader Nayeli Hernandez, Galowich Family YMCA Executive Director Trisha Dush, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Mission Advancement Director Donnie Chestnutt, Joliet Youth Development Team Operations Director Brooke Hall, ECOLAB Human Resources Manager Benjamin Park, ECOLAB Associate Human Resources Business Partner Arnetta Bosby. 

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