Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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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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YMCA Centennial Celebration: Help Us Tell Our Community’s Y Story

For 100 years, the YMCA has helped shape the stories of individuals and families living in our community. Each person’s Y story is unique – improving health, supporting children, building friendships, or finding a place to belong.

As we celebrate the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Centennial Anniversary in 2026, we invite you to share how the Y has made a difference in your life.

Share How the YMCA Has Helped You

Members of all ages are invited to celebrate the Y’s Centennial Anniversary by sharing their Y story:

  1. Pick up a “Because of the YMCA” sign at the Membership Desk during your next visit or download a sign by clicking below.

    BECAUSE OF THE YMCA

  2. Write a few words describing how the YMCA has made an impact in your life.
  3. Email a photo (landscape orientation) of you holding your sign to [email protected].

Together, we’ll celebrate a century of impact by sharing these stories on social media and in our marketing materials throughout 2026!

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Everyone Belongs at the Y: Mahogany Hart’s Story

At the Y, we recognize the importance of maintaining inclusive spaces and adapting our programs wherever possible to meet the needs of our community. In the case of C.W. Avery Family YMCA member Tiffney Hart, adaptive aquatics programming has been invaluable for her daughter Mahogany.

“Mahogany has autism and cerebral palsy and she has been going to physical therapy her whole life. I wanted to find a fun, new way for her to engage her muscles,” Tiffney said. “While I was looking for programs in the community to help fill her day, I ran across the Y’s Sensory-Friendly Swim program.”

Designed to be inclusive and accommodating for individuals with diverse sensory needs, YMCA Sensory-Friendly Swim times feature a quiet environment with no music and little-to-no whistle use by lifeguards with the goal of creating a welcoming space for swimmers of all abilities. Tiffney said Mahogany made an instant connection with Y staff during their first visit. 

“We met (swim instructor) Janet Kubas-Furnish and she was so sweet. She said the Y also offered one-on-one adaptive lessons. Now we’ve been coming in once a week for swim lessons for almost a year,” Tiffney said.

As is the case for each participant in adaptive swim lessons, the Y’s aquatics team tailored alternative movement options to meet Mahogany’s individual needs and help her thrive.

“She’s improved her core strength and swim lessons are also building her leg strength and her cardiovascular endurance,” Tiffney said. “She has been able to do phenomenal things like holding onto the side of the pool by herself for more than 10 seconds. She’s never been able to do something like that outside the water.” 

And the value of visiting the Y has gone beyond the scope of just swimming for Mahogany. 

“While she’s in the water, she’s also working on her social skills,” Tiffney said. “When anyone else is around in the pool, Janet will remind her to say hello. It’s bridging the gap between disabled individuals and non-disabled individuals.”

Tiffney said the experience is reflective of the overall atmosphere offered at the Y. 

“Everyone at the Y is so accepting, kind, and readily able to help. It’s a warm, family environment,” Tiffney said. “The Y builds bonds, opens doors, and has really raised the standard for what I think is possible for Mahogany. The experience here has helped me be a better advocate for recreational programs and facilities for individuals with special needs.”

To learn more about YMCA adaptive aquatics programming, please click here or speak to a member of the Aquatics staff team during your next visit.

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