Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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My Y Rewards Special October Earnings Event

DOUBLE THE FUN FITNESS CLASSES 

Fall is a great time to ramp up your health and wellness routine and get to know new people with YMCA group fitness classes. And now, My Y Rewards members will have double the fun exercising during our Special October Earnings Event!

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facility Members, ages 16 and up, enrolled in the My Y Rewards program will receive double rewards points for every group fitness class they attend on Tuesdays and Saturdays during the month of October!

Learn how to enroll by clicking below.

ENROLL TODAY

Upon enrolling in the My Y Rewards Program, you’ll also earn points each time you check-in, take a class, or refer a friend to the Y. In fact, you’ll earn your first 50 points for simply enrolling in the program. You can then redeem your points for fun Y swag and program and membership credits.

If you should have any questions or any feedback on the My Y Rewards Program, please be sure to stop by the Membership Desk during your next visit or email [email protected].

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Healthy Lifestyles Start Here: Melissa Jorstad’s Y Story

At the Y, we know that taking the first step on your health and wellness journey is often the most difficult. That’s why, at the Y, we strive each day to create a welcoming environment and provide our members with the support they need to achieve their goals.

Since joining the Morris Hospital YMCA last year, member Melissa Jorstad has found that being part of the Y community has boosted her confidence in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“I hadn’t really worked out since 2019 and I think one of the barriers that held me back for a long time was thinking I’m out of shape and I’m not athletic enough to work out or do fitness classes. As it turns out, a lot of people have that kind of background and we’re all growing together. That sense of community has meant a lot to me,” Melissa said. 

Melissa credited a combination of group exercise classes and personal training sessions for keeping her focused on her health and wellness goals. 

“I do not do self-directed exercise very well. I need groups, I need people, I need structure. You can jump on a treadmill anywhere, but you can’t get the same instructor help you get in a yoga class, or with a personal trainer, like you do at the Y. And I work from home, so the group classes have been a really nice way to connect to other people,” she said. 

Melissa now visits the Y up to six times per week, something she also said wouldn’t be possible without the support of the onsite childcare offered to members while they work out.

“I have a three-year old and a one-year old and all the staff members in Kids Corner know my kids at this point. There are so many things for my kids to do and the playground is so much fun for them. They love being able to play outside when the weather is nice,” Melissa said.

Looking ahead, Melissa said she is excited to kickstart fall by participating in this weekend’s Corn Fest 5K.

“I’ve never been a runner, that was never me, but I did the Couch to 5K class so now I’m signed up. That would have never happened if I wasn’t coming to the Y,” she said.

We are so proud to have Melissa in our Y community and we wish her, and all Y members participating in the 5K, the best. We know everyone will do great!

If you are interested in working with a YMCA personal trainer, now is the perfect time to start! The Y’s September Personal Training Sale runs through the end of the month and you can learn more by clicking here. 

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YMCA Members Invited to Participate in Fight to Be Fit Health and Wellness Challenge

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Y wants to help by encouraging our community to participate in a special Fight to Be Fit Health and Wellness Challenge!

Here’s how it works:

  • Participants will use a special punch card to track their participation in group fitness classes throughout the month of October. (Punch cards can be picked up by visiting the Membership Desk).
  • Upon attending their tenth class, participants will turn in their punch card and receive a special pink bandana.

PLEASE NOTE: Free and open to YMCA Facility Members only.

Let’s show our support and get stronger together!

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2025 Golf Classic Raises Nearly $67,000 for YMCA Mission Strong Fund

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA was proud to kickstart an impactful fall during our annual Mission Strong Golf Classic, which was held on Wednesday, September 17 at ‘The Creek’ in Morris. It was truly a day to remember as a generous group of YMCA supporters helped raise nearly $67,000 at the annual outing. 

Funds raised from the 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. Now in its fourth year, the Mission Strong Golf Classic has raised more than $265,000 to provide financial assistance for children, adults, and families living in our community. 

Golfers enjoyed lunch, 18 holes of golf, on-course games, and an evening program that included a cocktail reception, dinner, and exciting raffles. Participants 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 through our ‘Clear the Pond’ fundraiser.

The 2025 Mission Strong Golf Classic volunteer planning committee included: Maria Macris, Kristin Orban, Whitney Valdivia, and Barb Ziegner. Donnie Chestnutt, Dori Fugate, Carolyn Hamilton, and Sarah Slomka provided staff support.

Our generous sponsors included:

Presenting Sponsor
Midland States Bank

Leading Sponsors
Narvick Bros. General Contracting/Construction Managers
Old National Bank

Titanium Sponsors
BMO Wealth Management
D’Arcy Chevrolet
Edward Jones
Endeavor Health
Grundy Bank
Hollywood Casino
Hope Bound Development Corporation-Housing Authority of Joliet
Joliet Bank & Trust, a Wintrust Bank
Joliet Junior College
L. DeGeus & Associates
Low Voltage Solutions
Turk Furniture
UChicago AdventHealth Bolingbrook 

Graphite Sponsors
DeBold Topsoil & Trucking
Hometown National Bank
Midwest Equipment Group
NorthPoint Development, LLC
Window World of Joliet

Golfer’s Choice Sponsors
Alida C. Bliss Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
Baish Excavating, Inc.
Chris and Suzy Brown
C and J Avery Family Foundation
Hamilton & Antonsen, Ltd.
Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
Rieke Interiors
Dr. Theresa Rouse
Silver Cross Hospital
Testa Steel Constructor, Inc.
Voorn, Jaworski & Preston, PLLC

Exclusive Hole Sponsors
Associated Orthodontists
Busey Bank
“D” Construction, Inc.
Fidelity National Title
Kozol Bros., Inc./Miller Lite
Old Second Bank
Rod Baker Ford
Servpro

Hole Sponsors
Margie Bonuchi, Plainfield Village Trustee
Burks Bros. Drywall
The Butkus Family
Financial Plus Credit Union
JB Contracting Corp
Larson Engineering, Inc.
Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
PLZ Corp
Pursuit Wealth Group
Ron Tirapelli Ford
State Farm – Howard Wright
Young Company

In-Kind Support
Graphic Promotions, Inc.

We’re thrilled to announce that in 2026 the Y will celebrate its 100th Anniversary! We look forward to launching our Centennial Celebration at the YMCA Gala on Saturday, February 28, at Bolingbrook Golf Club. Be sure to mark your calendars as well for the 2026 Mission Strong Golf Classic, which will take place Monday, August 31, at Morris Country Club. To make a tax-deductible donation to the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, please click here.

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Let Your Talent Shine: 2025 YMCA Holiday Card Design Contest

The YMCA’s Holiday Card Design Contest is back! Open to Y Members, ages 6-12, the contest is the perfect opportunity for kids to let their artistic talents shine and help spread a little cheer this upcoming holiday season.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Download an entry form and print it out. Entry forms are also available at the Y’s Front Desk.

2. Grab some crayons, markers and colored pencils and draw a picture that depicts your favorite things about the holidays and the winter season. From snowmen to Christmas trees, to candy canes and snowflakes, we can’t wait to see your original designs!

3. Complete the entry form and drop it off at the Y.

We will select our three favorite designs—one from each age group—to be featured on the Y’s holiday card.

Age Groups

  • Ages 6-7
  • Ages 8-9
  • Ages 10-12

Each of our winners will receive a YMCA Sweatshirt and other exciting prizes.

Download Entry Form

The deadline to enter is 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 6.

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YMCA Junior Wolves Program to Host Youth Basketball and Coaching Clinics

The YMCA’s Junior Wolves program is here to help youth basketball players and coaches prepare for the upcoming YBL season by hosting special clinics this fall! 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, October 25
Grades 5-12
8:30-10 a.m.
REGISTER TODAY

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

Following, all participants and their families are invited to cheer on JJC during the annual women’s basketball Alumni game.

Coaches Clinic

These sessions will provide coaches with an overview of skills, drills, practice schedules, and game strategies for the upcoming YMCA youth basketball season. Session topics will vary based on grade level, but coaches are welcome to participate in all sessions.

Friday, December 5
6-7:30 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

All clinics will be held at the following 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 17 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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