Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Savings Opportunities Available for Shorewood Residents at the New Village of Shorewood YMCA

Shorewood residents are invited to take advantage of exclusive savings opportunities when joining the new Village of Shorewood YMCA. Built in partnership with the Village of Shorewood, this new 60,000-square-foot facility will open to serve the community on Monday, April 27.

Special Resident-Only Savings Opportunities

Facility Member- $0 Joiner’s Fees

Shorewood residents who join the Village of Shorewood YMCA as Facility Members will pay a $0 joiner’s fee- a savings of up to $120- available all year long. Facility Members enjoy significant cost-savings and priority registration on YMCA programs, including summer camp, swim lessons, and youth sports programs. Facility Members will also enjoy unlimited use of the new facility.

Shorewood Resident Program Membership

This special Community Membership allows Shorewood residents to register for Village of Shorewood YMCA programs at the Facility Member rate. Community Member registration dates will apply. Shorewood Resident Program Members will NOT have access to the new facility.

Proof of residency is required at the time of enrollment to receive these savings.

As construction of the new Village of Shorewood YMCA nears completion, area residents are also invited to take advantage of exclusive pre-opening membership opportunities as part of the YMCA’s Early Bird Membership Sale, which will run through Sunday, April 19.  Early Bird Members will enjoy priority access when the new facility opens on Monday, April 27.

The YMCA will host a ribbon cutting ceremony and community open house for the new facility on Saturday, May 2.

JOIN THE VILLAGE OF SHOREWOOD YMCA

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Opening Day for the New Village of Shorewood YMCA Scheduled for Monday, April 27

Early Bird Memberships Available Through April 19

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA announced today that the new Village of Shorewood YMCA, which will be located at 1801 W. Jefferson Street, will officially open its doors to serve the community on Monday, April 27.

Built in partnership with the Village of Shorewood, the new facility will provide YMCA members and residents living in Shorewood and the greater Joliet area with access to health and wellness and recreational programming in a welcoming and contemporary space. Conveniently located along the thriving Rt. 52 corridor, the new 60,000-square-foot Village of Shorewood YMCA will feature an eight-lane lap pool, a state-of-the-art health and wellness center, a gymnasium, indoor and outdoor walking tracks, group exercise and cycling studios, engaging youth play spaces, community rooms, an outdoor playground, and fields for summer camp and youth sports programs.

“We are so excited to welcome the community to the new Village of Shorewood YMCA,” said Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and Chief Executive Officer Katy Leclair. “This new facility is more than just a beautiful building- it’s a testament to the strength of partnership, a shared dedication to health, wellness, and recreation, and our commitment to serving families for generations to come. We look forward to opening our doors and inviting the community into a place where friendships are formed, goals are reached, and community comes to life each and every day,” Leclair added.

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 Sunday, April 19. Early Bird Members will enjoy priority access when the new facility opens on Monday, April 27.

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 more than $1.5 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 for the new facility on Saturday, May 2.

JOIN THE VILLAGE OF SHOREWOOD YMCA

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2026 YMCA Gala Silent Auction Bidding Now Open

The 2026 YMCA Gala will be held on Saturday at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. Even if you won’t be attending this year’s event, you can still support the YMCA by bidding on items in our Silent Auction.

Bidding is Now OPEN!

To explore this year’s Silent Auction and begin placing your bids, please visit our by clicking below.

1. To register, please click the ‘My Account’ button in the upper right corner, and add your e-mail address and payment information.

2. After completing the registration process, you will receive an email that provides you with a link to our Mobile Bidding site.

3. Upon visiting our Mobile Bidding site, you will be able to begin bidding on items in our highly anticipated Silent Auction.

YMCA GALA HEADQUARTERS

As a reminder, winning bidders who are not in attendance may pick up auction items at their local YMCA branch the week of March 2. Please Note: At this time, we are unable to ship items to winning bidders.

If you are attending this year’s Gala, you should have already received a message with a registration link. For more information, please contact Volunteer and Special Events Director Dori Fugate at [email protected].

Thank you for supporting the YMCA Gala.

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C.W. Avery Family YMCA Welcomes Community for 20th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On Wednesday, February 4, the C.W. Avery Family YMCA was proud to welcome the community to a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the facility’s 20th Anniversary.

The event began with opening remarks from Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce (PSACC) Executive Director Tasha Marsaglia, who invited C.W Avery Family YMCA Advisory Council Chairman Brian Minnis to give the afternoon’s invocation. Marsaglia then introduced Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair, who began by thanking everyone who has helped shape the Y’s story in Plainfield.

Leclair noted that, from the very beginning, the Y’s focus on bringing people together has found a generous embrace from our members, resulting in a vibrant community center where everyone is welcome.

She added that the C.W. Avery Family YMCA is now home to more than 17,000 members and program participants, and that the Y’s mission is brought to life through visionary staff leadership and invaluable volunteer and donor support. She also credited the strength of continued partnerships with local organizations like Endeavor Health, Plainfield School District 202, and Valley View CUSD 365U, for helping the Y thrive. 

Leclair then welcomed C.W. Avery Family YMCA Executive Director Erin Lightbody as the next speaker. Lightbody expressed gratitude for the day-to-day efforts of YMCA employees and volunteers and emphasized that the Y has a unique ability to help make the community stronger in a variety of ways. 

“I know I speak for our entire staff when I say how grateful we are for the opportunity to bring joy and play a small part in the Y stories that unfold throughout this building and in our programs every single day,” Lightbody said. 

Lightbody then introduced Lauren Betzwiser, granddaughter of Judy and the late Clyde Avery, who thanked the Y for honoring her family’s legacy and serving the community.

The Y then celebrated the support of the Village of Plainfield by inviting Mayor John Argoudelis to speak. Mayor Argoudelis, an advocate of the Y for many years, described the Y’s role in Plainfield’s continued growth, providing vital health, wellness, and youth development programs ensuring that residents have opportunities to thrive.  

The event concluded with members of the C.W. Avery Family YMCA Advisory Council, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board of Directors, and YMCA staff joining together to cut a ceremonial ribbon in celebration of this important milestone.

To learn more about the C.W. Avery Family YMCA, please visit our branch homepage by clicking here.

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Offering Workshop on Careers in Health Sciences on March 12

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is excited to host a free workshop for area residents looking to learn more about pursuing careers in the healthcare industry!

Date:
Thursday, March 12

Time:
6-7:30 p.m.

Location:
Joliet Junior College, Room U-1024
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431

In addition to listening to engaging guest speakers, participants will have the opportunity to meet with a variety of healthcare professionals and academic providers. Attendees will also learn more about scholarship opportunities, tuition reimbursement programs, and educational pathways for careers in the healthcare industry. Refreshments will be served.

Guest speakers will include representatives from Joliet Junior College and the Will County Workforce Development. 

Cost:
Free and open to the community

REGISTER TODAY

To learn more about this event, please contact: 

Darrell Collins
Teen REACH & Teen Achievers Director
[email protected]
(815) 782-0828

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Hosting Centennial Celebration Food Drive

For 100 years, the YMCA has been dedicated to social responsibility and providing support for those in our community who need it most. As we continue celebrate the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Centennial Anniversary in 2026, we invite the community to participate in a special food drive from February 9-15.

Residents can drop off donations of non-perishable food items at location boxes located in the lobby of their local Y branch:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 Wallin Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544

Galowich Family YMCA
749 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431

Morris Hospital YMCA
2200 W. Dupont Avenue
Morris, IL 60450

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