Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Join the Morris Hospital YMCA During Our Grand Opening Membership Sale

The new Morris Hospital YMCA will officially open its doors to serve the community on Monday, December 16! This much-anticipated grand opening date will mark the culmination of a 19-month construction phase for Grundy County’s first full-facility YMCA.

JOIN TODAY AND SAVE
Join the Morris Hospital YMCA during our Grand Opening Sale and pay a $0 Joiner’s Fee – a savings of up to $120!

JOIN THE MORRIS HOSPITAL YMCA

Sale Continues Through December 25 

FACILITY LOCATION AND HOURS
2200 W. Dupont Avenue
Morris, IL 60450

Monday-Friday: 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

FACILITY AMENITIES

  • An Eight-Lane Lap Pool
  • An Aquatics Viewing Area
  • A State-of-the-Art Wellness Center
  • Group Exercise Studios
  • A Cycling Room
  • A Functional Training Area
  • A 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
  • An Outdoor Playground

2025 Monthly Membership Rates

YMCA Facility Members enjoy significant cost-savings and priority registration on YMCA programs, and receive free access to the YMCA’s On the Go App, as well as unlimited guest passes.

A full list of member benefits can be viewed here.

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Erin Lightbody Named Executive Director of C.W. Avery Family YMCA

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is proud to announce that Erin Lightbody has been named Executive Director of the C.W. Avery Family YMCA. Lightbody, who has worked for the Y since 2003, started her new role this month and we are excited to have her leading operations at our Plainfield location.

A seasoned YMCA professional with more than 20 years of experience, Lightbody began her YMCA career as a counselor/site-coordinator in the Y’s Before and After School Kid Zone program and was named the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Youth and Family Director in 2004. After leading youth development programming for 14 years in Plainfield, she became the YMCA’s Youth Operations Director in 2018, and has been instrumental in shaping youth programs across the association. Through her leadership, the YMCA has created and implemented policies and procedures that ensure the nearly 1,300 children who participate in Y programs each day have a safe, engaging, and enriching experience. 

During her tenure at the Y, Lightbody not only helped the Y navigate the challenges of providing childcare services during the COVID pandemic, she also became a certified Praesidium Guardian, an award given to leaders who help ensure that an organization is following the highest industry standards for child abuse prevention. As a part of her certification, Lightbody completed an impact project designed to improve applicant screening for childcare positions in the Y’s summer day camp and before and after school programs.

“Taking the Praesidium Guardian class helped me take a look at the entire interview and training process for employees in our childcare programs and identify ways we can continue to improve hiring and onboarding candidates. Everything from start to finish has been made more robust. I look forward to continuing to support families in my new role, as well as all those that walk through the doors of the Y,” Lightbody said.

Lightbody also played a key role in supporting the expansion of YMCA child care programs into the Valley View School District, and she plans to continue to drive the YMCA’s mission forward by fostering a culture of excellence, community, and inclusion at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA.

“Erin brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to our organization,” Director of Branch & Program Operations Lisa Behounek said. “Throughout a remarkable YMCA career spanning more than two decades, Erin has consistently demonstrated her passion, leadership, and dedication to our mission. Her vision, attention to detail, and ability to connect with staff, children, and families alike make her the perfect fit for this role. We are excited to see her lead the C.W. Avery Family YMCA into the future.”

Lightbody has a degree in Business Administration/Sports Management from Aquinas College. She resides in Plainfield with her family.

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OPENING DAY FOR THE NEW MORRIS HOSPITAL YMCA SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 16

Early Bird Memberships Available Through December 1

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA announced today that the new Morris Hospital YMCA, which will be located at 2200 W. Dupont Avenue, will officially open its doors to serve the community on Monday, December 16. This much-anticipated grand opening date will mark the culmination of a 19-month construction phase for Grundy County’s first full-facility YMCA.

Built in partnership with Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers, the new 60,000-square-foot YMCA facility will feature an eight-lane lap pool, a state-of-the-art health and wellness center, a gymnasium and indoor walking track, group exercise studios, a cycling room, a healthy eating kitchen, engaging youth play spaces, and meeting rooms. Surrounded by property that is planned for residential development, the new YMCA will be located adjacent to Morris Grade School and West Side Park, and will feature an outdoor walking track.

A mainstay in the Grundy County community for the last decade, the YMCA has been working collaboratively with Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers to enhance the health and wellness of Grundy County residents since opening its temporary facility in 2015 in downtown Morris. In its new home on Dupont Avenue, the YMCA will offer expanded year-round programs in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility for residents of all ages.

“We are very excited to welcome the community to the new Morris Hospital YMCA,” said Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and Chief Executive Officer Katy Leclair. “We look forward to working with our partners at Morris Hospital to create a welcoming community center where residents of all ages can participate in high-quality and impactful programs. December 16 will be a monumental day as we officially open our doors on Dupont Avenue and see the dreams of our generous donors and community partners, loyal YMCA members, and hardworking volunteers and employees realized,” added Leclair.

As construction of the new facility nears completion, area residents are invited to take advantage of exclusive pre-opening membership opportunities as part of the YMCA’s Early Bird Membership Sale, which will run through December 1. Early Bird Members will enjoy priority access when the new facility opens in December.

YMCA Facility Members enjoy significant cost-savings and priority registration on YMCA programs, and receive free access to the YMCA’s On the Go App, as well as unlimited guest passes. Ensuring that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay, the Y proudly invests nearly $1 million into its members and the community each year through its financial assistance program, providing scholarship assistance and free community programming.

The YMCA will host a ribbon cutting ceremony and community open house on Saturday, January 11, 2025.

JOIN THE MORRIS HOSPITAL YMCA

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Morris Hospital YMCA Invites the Community to Attend ‘Coffee with the YMCA’ Events

As we prepare to open the new Morris Hospital YMCA in early 2025, 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.

Tuesday, September 17*
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Wesley Center
111 W. North Street
Morris, IL 60450

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

Tuesday, October 1*
6-7 p.m.
Wesley Center
111 W. North Street
Morris, IL 60450

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

Monday, October 7
8-9 a.m.
Morris City Hall
700 N. Division Street
Morris, IL 60450

Tuesday, October 8
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Coal City Schools Administrative Center
550 S. Carbon Hill Road
Coal City, IL 60416

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Charter Memberships On Sale Now for the New Morris Hospital YMCA

Demonstrate your support for the Y’s mission in Grundy County by becoming a Charter Member of the new Morris Hospital YMCA. Located just west of Morris Grade School on Dupont Avenue, our new 60,000-square-foot YMCA facility is scheduled to open in early 2025. 

As a Charter Member, you’ll enjoy unparalleled benefits, special perks, and a front-row seat to our grand opening:

PRIORITY ACCESS IN DECEMBER 2024
Charter Members will be among the first to experience our new state-of-the-art facility and innovative programs.

COMMEMORATIVE GIFTS
Charter Members will receive a welcome kit packed with exciting one-of-a-kind YMCA gear and grand opening gifts.

EXCLUSIVE EVENTS
Charter Members will be invited to an exclusive preview event during our Grand Opening week in December.

RECOGNITION ON DONOR SIGNAGE
The everlasting legacy of each Charter Member will also be honored on a permanent donor sign, displayed within the new building.

SPECIAL SAVINGS AVAILABLE FOR CURRENT YMCA MEMBERS
Stop by the Morris Community YMCA or contact Membership Operations Director Michele Claysen at (815) 744-3939 ext. 305 or via email at [email protected] to learn more about these savings!

PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT TODAY!
To become a Charter Member, please click below:

PURCHASE A CHARTER MEMBERSHIP

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Meet C.W Avery Family YMCA Before and After Care Director Lori Barrie

This week marks the start of the 2024-2025 school year and the Y is ready to once again welcome students into our before and after school Kid Zone program! Before and After Care Director Lori Barrie is starting her first year at the helm of the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Kid Zone program in Plainfield School District 202. We are so excited to have Lori on the Y team. You can learn more about her in the Q&A below!

Q: How did you get involved with the YMCA’s Kid Zone program? 

I have been with the Y’s before and after school team for more than seven years. My journey began as a counselor at Eichelberger Elementary School and I later became a site supervisor for the schools in the northern portion of the district. I have been so blessed to have the opportunity to visit and get to know students, parents, and counselors throughout the years, and I’m so happy to get started as the director of this wonderful program! 

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

Working with children is an amazing experience. My goal is to provide children with a safe, fun, and rewarding learning environment, making a positive impact on their lives each and every day.

Q: What do you think makes YMCA Kid Zone a special experience for kids? 

I think the sense of community and family that we create at our Kid Zone sites makes it special. We also offer a variety of crafts, STEM projects, games, and physical activities that we know create well rounded learners. 

Q: With the new school year officially underway, what are some of the most exciting activities you have planned for the months ahead? 

Each month, we base our curriculum around a core character development theme. Our first theme is ‘Relationship Building,’ so we are incorporating different activities for kids to start building positive relationships with their classmates and counselors. We are also excited to have guests from the Plainfield Library visiting sites for reading activities, and the games and themes we have planned for our Fun Fridays are always a favorite activity for our students!

Q: What are your favorite things to do outside of the Y? 

My favorite thing to do outside of the Y is to spend time with my family.  We enjoy exploring new places on walks and hikes. I am also a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and love attending games and watching them on TV!

If you are interested in joining our Kid Zone staff team, visit our Employment Opportunities page or apply online today. 

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