Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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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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Registration for YMCA Pint-Size Pupils Opens February 7

Designed for preschool and kindergarten-aged children, the Y’s Pint-Size Pupils Program will help your young learner develop to his or her fullest potential. Through a variety of fun activities that include both structured and open play, our dedicated staff teach, model and reinforce the Y’s Christian character values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Projects and lessons will explore colors, shapes, letters, and numbers. Classes are small in size and incorporate bright colors, music, and interactive games to help our youngest members develop their socialization skills and academic concepts.

Registration for the 2026-27 school year opens for Facility Members on February 7 and opens on February 14 for Community Members.

Pint-Size Pupils will be offered at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA and Morris Hospital YMCA. Learn more below.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Program closely follows the school calendar for Plainfield District 202. Families can choose a two-day program on Tuesdays and Thursdays or a three-day program on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

HOURS
Morning Class:
9:30 a.m.-Noon

Afternoon Class:
12:30-3 p.m.

2026-2027 MONTHLY TUITION
Tuition is paid via ten monthly drafts on the 15th of the month (August-May). There is a one-time $50 non-refundable registration fee.

Enrollment PlanFacility Member RateCommunity Member Rate
2 Days Per Week$170$340
3 Days Per Week$250$500

To learn more about the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Pint-Size Pupils program, please contact:

James Wagner
Youth and Family Director
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 212

Morris Hospital YMCA

Program closely follows the school calendar for Morris Grade School and Saratoga Elementary School.

HOURS
9:30-11:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

2026-2027 MONTHLY TUITION
Tuition is paid via ten monthly drafts on the 15th of the month (August-May). There is a one-time $50 non-refundable registration fee.

Facility Member RateCommunity Member Rate
$250$500

To learn more about the Morris Hospital YMCA’s Pint-Size Pupils program, please contact:

Jordan Overton, Youth and Family Director
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 513

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Celebrating YMCA Volunteer Leadership: Mike Wright

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.

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C.W. Avery Family YMCA Invites Community to 20th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is excited to invite the community to attend a Celebratory Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to commemorate the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s 20th Anniversary! Join us as we recognize two decades of service in Plainfield, celebrate fun memories, and prepare for more amazing experiences for the next 20 years and beyond.

Date: Wednesday, February 4
Time: 1-2 p.m.

Brief Remarks and Celebratory Ribbon Cutting will begin at 1:15 p.m.

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

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United Way