GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

As the Y looks toward an exciting year of serving our community in 2026, we are proud to announce that Mike Wright will begin a two-year term as Chairman of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board of Directors this week. Wright has been a member of the Board for the last six years, serving the last two as vice chairman.

“I want to thank my predecessor Cheri Rubocki. She has a great attitude and has been a fantastic leader. There are big shoes to fill, but I look forward to carrying the baton for the organization,” Wright said. “I know how hard the members of the Board work to make things happen and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know everyone.”

Wright, a native of Morris, has spent more than 30 years as a financial advisor for Edward Jones. His relationship with the Y dates back more than 15 years, and began when he volunteered as a coach in the YMCA’s Youth Basketball Leagues (YBL).

“My daughter was in kindergarten right as Y sports programs came into Morris and (Sports Director) Ken Iverson convinced me to help out. I ended up coaching for a number of years,” Wright said.  

As his family got more acquainted with the Y’s mission, the more they wanted to get involved. Mike’s wife Missie served on the Morris Community YMCA’s advisory council, and the Wrights also became members of the Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet that led fundraising efforts for the construction of the new Morris Hospital YMCA.  

“We respected the group that was putting together the campaign and felt like we could pass the message on to our generation in the Morris community,” Wright said. “It was the largest fundraising campaign in the county’s history and I believe it’s the best thing that has happened to Morris in the last 20 years; you could argue maybe the last 100 years.”

When it comes to what he views as the Y’s greatest strength, Wright said community building remains at the forefront of all Y programs and services. 

“The connections that are made at the Y, from the three-year-olds in Kids Corner, to the 85-year olds that enjoy coffee in the lobby, are meaningful social ties that create a healthy community,” he said. “I’ve seen the Y have an impact across a wide spectrum and hopefully that perspective is helpful as we move forward.”

Wright envisions a strong future for the Y, as 2026 will feature the grand opening of the new Village of Shorewood YMCA and the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s year-long Centennial Celebration.

“It’s fun to look at our history and, when we reflect on our success over the years, we have the ability to learn from change and see how that leads to growth. The Y has always been able to evolve in positive ways,” Wright said.

 “We’re working hard to finish the Shorewood project, while also building upon established partnerships with Morris Hospital, Joliet Junior College, the Salvation Army, Messiah Lutheran Church, Endeavor Health, and so many others, to foster Y programs and services throughout Will and Grundy Counties.” 

“We are so thrilled to welcome Mike as Board Chairman,” YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair said. “His generosity, kindness, and unwavering commitment to the Y mission have already had such a significant impact on our organization, and we know he will do an amazing job as we continue to grow over the course of the next two years.”

On behalf of the Y, we’d like to thank Mike for his continued leadership and wish him well in this new role.