Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Community Foundation of Grundy County Donates Nearly $19,000 to YMCA Mission Strong Fund

YMCA Summer Day Camp offers an exciting and engaging adventure where young people can make new friends while having a whole lot of fun! At Y camp, kids laugh, learn, explore and grow, while creating memories and friendships that last a lifetime. And providing a safe and meaningful camp experience would not be possible without the support of local partners like the Community Foundation of Grundy County.

The Foundation awarded a $18,965 grant from the Sanford Teen Fund, which was established to help youth and teens in Grundy County, with a focus on supporting mental health. Funding has helped the Morris Community YMCA operate summer day camp activities, as well as summer youth sports programs, and will continue to support health and wellness services and programming for kids and teens this fall. 

Through its commitment to youth development, the Morris Community YMCA nurtures the potential of every child. To pledge your support for these programs through a charitable gift to the Mission Strong Fund, click here. 

Pictured in top photo: (L-R) Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Operating Officer Missy Durkin, Community Foundation of Grundy County Program Director Devan Gagliardo, Morris Community YMCA Operations Director Jamie Heitman 

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Summer Spruce Up 2022

August 13-28

Each summer, we take time to thoroughly clean and enhance our facilities so that our members can have an enjoyable experience throughout the year. As always, you are welcome to use any of our three YMCA facilities during Summer Spruce Up. 

When visiting any of our YMCA branches during Summer Spruce Up, please remember to bring your Membership Card/Tag. Please be sure to call ahead to verify hours and to ensure the amenities you would like to use will be open during your visit.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

FAMILY POOL

Closed beginning at Noon on Saturday, August 13

Reopening on Monday, August 29

The family pool will be drained and receive a deep cleaning. Additional repairs will also be completed.

GYMNASIUM AND INDOOR TRACK

Closed beginning on Monday, August 15

Reopening on Monday, August 29

The gym will be cleaned, floors will be refinished, and we will be repairing the lines for the basketball courts and adding lines for pickleball courts.

ACTIVITY CENTER AND KIDS CORNER

Closed beginning on Wednesday, August 17

Reopening on Sunday, August 21

The Activity Center and Kids Corner rooms will be treated to a deep cleaning. All toys will also be sanitized.

LOBBY/MAIN ENTRANCE

Closed beginning on Friday, August 19

Reopening on Sunday, August 21

During this time, all members and guests are asked to enter the building through the south entrance, located near the multi-purpose rooms.

FITNESS STUDIO #2

Closed beginning on Tuesday, August 23

Reopening on Monday, August 29

The fitness studio will be cleaned and the floors will be refinished.

LOCKER ROOMS, STEAM ROOM, AND SAUNA

The locker rooms, steam room, and sauna will be closed intermittently during Spruce Up to allow ample time for deep cleaning and repairs. Closings will be posted in the building and on our Facebook page.

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS

In addition to the improvements listed above, all areas of the building will be treated to a deep cleaning. 

Galowich Family YMCA

KIDS CORNER

Closed beginning on Monday, August 15

Reopening on Monday, August 29

To better serve our YMCA Members, Kids Corner will permanently relocate to the multi-purpose room on Monday, August 29.

GYMNASIUM

Closed beginning on Monday, August 22

Reopening on Monday, August 29

The gym will be cleaned and floors will be refinished.

FITNESS STUDIO

Closed beginning on Monday, August 22

Reopening on Monday, August 29

The fitness studio will be cleaned and the floors will be refinished. New storage racks will also be installed. During this time, a modified group fitness schedule will be available. Please visit our schedules webpage or use the YMCA On the Go app to stay up to date on class times and locations.

WELLNESS CENTER

The Wellness Center will receive a deep cleaning during Spruce Up. The carpet will be cleaned, repairs will be completed, and equipment will be realigned within the space.

LOCKER ROOMS

The locker rooms will be closed intermittently during Spruce Up to allow ample time for deep cleaning and repairs. Closings will be posted in the building and on our Facebook page.

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS

In addition to the improvements listed above, all areas of the building will be treated to a deep cleaning.

Morris Community YMCA

All areas of the building will be treated to a deep cleaning. Certain areas of the facility may be closed intermittently during this time to allow ample time for cleaning and repairs. Closings will be posted in the building and on our Facebook page.

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Brandt Excavating Donates $50,000 to Morris Community YMCA Capital Campaign

The Morris Community YMCA’s Capital Campaign, which is raising funds to develop a new 50,000-square-foot YMCA and healthcare center adjacent to Morris Grade School, is excited to announce a generous $50,000 gift from Brandt Excavating, which will be recognized in the future full facility. 

For more than a decade, the Morris Community YMCA has been serving residents in Grundy County by offering programs in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. To further grow its impact in the community, the Y announced plans in 2018 for the development of a new full-facility in partnership with Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers. While the YMCA hopes to open this new facility within the next several years, the size, scope, and timing will ultimately be determined by the generosity of the community in support of this project.

“Brandt Excavating has displayed an incredible passion for our project and this show of support further excites us as we look toward the future of our facility,” Chief Operating Officer Missy Durkin said. 

To learn more about the Morris Community YMCA’s Capital Campaign, please contact Chief Operating Officer Missy Durkin at (815) 513-8080 or visit www.jolietymca.org.

Pictured above (left to right): Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair, Brandt Excavating Vice President Chris Ahearn, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Operating Officer Missy Durkin, Morris Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet Member and Corporate Committee Co-Chair Steve Barr.

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YMCA Kid Zone Registration for the 2022-23 School Year is Underway!

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. The YMCA’s Kid Zone Program 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.

Kid Zone registration for the the 2022-2023 school year is currently underway!

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

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Connecting With Community: Mike Lennon’s Y Story

At the Y, we are not only focused on helping our members find their path to a healthy lifestyle, we look to strengthen their connections to the greater Y community. These principles are exemplified by Morris Community YMCA member Mike Lennon.

Mike, a former educator and avid runner, will be raising money for the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund by competing in the Christmas in July Half-Marathon and 5K in Elk Grove on July 9. Mike said he gained inspiration from the Y’s Send a Kid to Camp Campaign, with his efforts fusing all aspects of the Y’s mission to support healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility.

“I taught elementary school P.E. in California and helping kids grow, overcoming any obstacle, has always been a passion of mine,” he said. “One of the things I really like about the Y’s approach to serving the community is that nobody is turned away due to the inability to pay, and I want to help any way I can.”

Mike, 75, frequented the downtown Joliet Y in his youth and moved back to Illinois from California eight years ago. He says that he feels a strong connection to the Y because it provides so much more than simply a place to work out, it builds character and strengthens families in our community.  

“I’ve had the chance to go to other gyms and it’s just not the same as the culture here. The Y is very community centered. It’s a really positive environment, and it encourages you to grow and develop. You feel that when you’re here,” he said.

Mike also recounted the support the Y was able to provide him after battling an array of health problems last year, including a bout with COVID, a compression fracture in his back, and blood clots. 

“I was in and out of the hospital, couldn’t work out, and was down to 150 pounds at one point. I felt like I was melting,” he said. “I came back to the Y and did six sessions of personal training. I realized I couldn’t let my routine slip. My goal is to live life strong and now I feel so much better.”

Mike plans to do most of his training for the upcoming half-marathon at the Y and, though two knee replacements and a new right hip have shifted his focus toward walking his races, raising awareness for a good cause has motivated him to ramp up his workout regiment.

“The Y is really proactive with programs and meeting the needs of families, individuals and the community as a whole, but that also means we have to fund the financial assistance program. Hopefully we can make a big impact,” he said.

On behalf of the Y, we wish Mike the best of luck in his upcoming race and look forward to sharing updates of his training throughout the coming weeks on our social media pages. 

And, you can pledge your support for Mike’s fundraiser today! Your gift, which will benefit kids at the Y, can be made through Facebook or by donating to the Y online. When making your donation on our giving portal, use the following steps: 

1. Select ‘Dedicate this donation’
2. Select ‘In Honor of’ and type ‘Mike’s Run for Y Kids’

To learn more about the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, click here. We thank you for your support as we look to support bright futures!

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INAUGURAL GOLF CLASSIC NETS MORE THAN $70,000 FOR MISSION STRONG FUND

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Sunny blue skies and beautiful summer temperatures provided an absolutely perfect backdrop for the YMCA’s first annual Mission Strong Golf Classic, which was held on Thursday, June 9, at ‘The Creek’ in Morris. It was truly a day to remember as an inspired and generous group of YMCA supporters helped raise more than $70,000 at the sold out event. Funds raised from the inaugural outing, which was generously presented by Midland States Bank, will benefit the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, helping to ensure that no one is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay.

Golfers enjoyed lunch, 18 holes of golf, on-course games, and an evening program that included a cocktail reception, dinner, exciting raffles, and live entertainment, provided by River Road Trio. During the evening program, guests also had the opportunity to learn more about the Y’s mission and pledge their support by making a charitable donation to the Y’s scholarship program.

The first annual Mission Strong Golf Classic volunteer planning committee included: Maria Macris, Kristin Orban, Ryan Peterson, Bridgette Roehr, Adam Underhill, Mike Wickkiser, and Barb Ziegner. Donnie Chestnutt, Dori Fugate, Carolyn Hamilton, Erin Lightbody, and Jackson White provided staff support.

Our generous sponsors included:

Presenting Sponsor 
Midland States Bank

Beverage Cart Sponsor
Gus P. Rousonelos and Family

Dinner Sponsor
Gus P. Rousonelos and Family

Entertainment Sponsor 
Gus P. Rousonelos and Family

Lunch Sponsor
Edward Jones

Cocktail Reception Sponsor
Narvick Bros.

Titanium Sponsors 
Guy and Jan Christensen
D’Arcy Motors
First Midwest Bank
Grundy Bank
Hollywood Casino of Joliet
Hope Bound Development Corp., Instrumentality of the Housing Authority of Joliet
Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
Old Plank Trail Community Bank N.A., A Wintrust Community Bank
Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
Pursuit Wealth Group
Ron Tirapelli Ford
TR Miller Heating, Cooling and Plumbing

Graphite Sponsors
Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel
The Ziegner-Orban Family

Registration Sponsor
Hometown National Bank

Putting Green Sponsor
L. DeGeus & Associates

Driving Range Sponsor
Ottawa Savings Bank

Valet Sponsor
ExxonMobil

Exclusive Hole Sponsors
Law Office of John F. Argoudelis, LLC
Business Knowledge Solutions
Busey Bank
Al and Ellen Butkus
Ozinga
ServPro
Window World of Joliet

Hole Sponsors
C and J Avery Family Foundation
Conley Excavating & Construction
HData
Kozol Bros.
Mack & Associates
Mahoney, Silverman & Cross
Martin & Associates – Ameriprise Financial, LLC
Silver Cross Hospital
Turk Furniture
Young Company, LLC – James Young

Welcome Circle Sponsors
Friends of Larry Walsh Jr.
Ragusa’s Promo Adverstising

In-Kind Support
Grundy County Chamber of Commerce
GPI – Graphic Promotions, Inc.
Joliet Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry

We look forward to seeing everyone at the 2023 YMCA Mission Strong Golf Classic next summer. Watch for more details coming soon. To make a tax-deductible donation to the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, please click here. 

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