Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Meet Membership Director Michelle Weston

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is incredibly proud of the work our staff does to ensure a high quality experience for our members. One of the newest full-time team members at the Galowich Family YMCA is Membership Director Michelle Weston. Michelle stepped into her current role last October. Her warm and friendly personality makes her perfectly suited to lead the Galowich Y’s membership team. You can learn more about Michelle in the Q&A below:  

Q: How did you get started with the Y? 

Weston: Two years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom and I saw an ad that the Avery YMCA was hiring. I sent a message, got to come in for an interview and ultimately got hired. My time at the Avery Y made my transition a bit easier when I became the membership director at Galowich. I have been that busy person at the front desk and I know what it can feel like. I am hoping to build on those experiences here at the Galowich Y.  

Q: How do you view your role in the big picture of the Y?

Weston: The membership team is the face of the Y and the first impression for everyone that comes through the door. We have to be able to provide our members with all the tools they may need and answer any questions they may have. We care about customer service because we care about our members. 

Q: What is your favorite part about your job?

Weston: It’s definitely the members and seeing them come in with smiles on their faces. When members have a goal they are trying to attain, and we can help them along the way, it is truly awesome to see them succeed. I’ve also made some great friends at the Y, both with co-workers and our members.

Q: What is your favorite Y memory?

Weston: This was my first year being fully involved in Toys for Tots. There was a woman who won one of our Christmas trees and she said it was the first tree she had ever had in her life. That brought tears to my eyes. 

Q: What do you like to do outside the Y?

Weston: My husband and I try to spend as much time as we can with our kids. They are in the school band and that is a real commitment. On weekends we love to play board games like Clue and Monopoly. My husband is also a part of the Minooka Lions Club and I like to do things with him there.   

Q: What should someone interested in a Y membership know about us?

Weston: We do our best to build relationships with people. We want to know about your day, what is going on with your kids, and where you went on your last vacation. You don’t have to just check in and check out. It’s about being a part of a community and a family. We hope that our members feel like the YMCA is their second home.
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We encourage members to meet with Michelle or anyone from the membership team when visiting the Y. They are a great resource and always ready to help provide the best possible Y experience. You can reach Michelle at (815) 744-3939 ext. 309 or [email protected] 

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A Place To Call Home: Lyndsey Bawolek’s Story

The Y is always ready and waiting to lend a hand when members are prepared to embark on a life-changing wellness journey. In the case of Lyndsey Bawolek, who has lost over 35 pounds since joining the C.W. Avery Family YMCA in 2017, a Y membership was a truly transformative life decision.  

“When I first started coming to the Y, the only way I would run is if somebody stole my Cheetos. Last April I did my first half-marathon and I did it with friends from the Y,” Lyndsey said.

Lyndsey believes the culture of the Y community is what has helped her stay motivated. 

“I had tried to work out a little bit before joining the Y but didn’t get results. The gym can be intimidating and the social aspects of the Y really helped.  At other gyms I had tried to join there was no cohesive community aspect to it. It’s totally different here. This is my happy place,” she said. 

Lyndsey’s connection to the Y was further cemented last winter when she jumped on an opportunity to join the Y staff. She started as a wellness attendant in February and became a certified personal trainer in October. She taught her first class earlier this month and is excited to be able to help others succeed. 

“This is about real people trying to be fit in a realistic way. I feel like I can help with that and it’s why I wanted to get my certification as a personal trainer,” Lyndsey said. 

In addition to building relationships through personal fitness, Lyndsey said she also loves to bring her kids to the Y, noting how inspiring it can be to see the interconnection of Y programming. 

“My daughter is a part of Pint-Size Pupils and the coolest part of that is she’ll come home and talk about her friends from the Fab 50 program. They do activities together and it’s funny that even she can walk down the hall and see people she recognizes,” Lyndsey said. 

Lyndsey said she always walks into the Y with a smile and maintains a continued sense of belonging with every visit. 

“The Y is the center of my family’s little world. My kids learn here. My husband knows people here. I work here. It really is a place where you’ll be embraced,” she said.

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Lyndsey teaches Functional FX on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and every other Saturday at 7 a.m. You can also find information on all of our personal trainers here.

 

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Staying Active For Life: Jose ‘Jaime’ Portales’ Story

When someone joins the Y, they are not just joining a gym. Members will find a supportive community full of friendly faces at the YMCA. At the Galowich Family YMCA, one of these friendly faces belongs to Jose ‘Jaime’ Portales. 

Portales’ relationship with the Y goes back 35 years and he has worked at multiple Joliet locations in a variety of departments and programs. He currently serves as a Wellness Attendant on weekday afternoons at the Y’s Houbolt Road location.  

At 70 years old, he continues to serve the community with energy and passion, promoting a lifetime of health and wellness. You can learn more about him in the Q&A below: 

Can you share a little about your background with the Y?

Portales: I started in 1985 when I got my certification to be a lifeguard at the old YMCA in downtown Joliet. Then I came over to Galowich as a lifeguard. I started by helping kids learn to swim and then I taught adults. I’ve probably taught close to 100 adults how to swim. 

Jaime’s first lifeguard certification card from 1985.

Why have you stayed connected to the Y for so long?

Portales:  It’s a big part of my life and it makes me happy. I enjoy what I do and I always want to teach something. It’s really important for people to think about being healthy and staying active. I have played a lot of sports and I have a run club that I really love doing. I also teach Teen Fit and Self-Defense classes. 

What are your favorite memories of being at the Y?

Portales: The best thing that has happened is how many good friends I have made. I love my co-workers and getting to know all the new members who come in. That’s what I enjoy most. 

Why do you think people should join the Y?

Portales: When I talk to my friends about why it is good to join the Y, I tell them about how much they learn about staying in good health. It also helps your spirit.

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Jaime is just one member of a dedicated staff team that is ready to help new members succeed as they move along their Y journey. Be sure to say hello to Jose the next time you visit the Galowich Y!

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Named 2019 Top Workplace by Chicago Tribune

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA has been awarded a 2019 Top Workplaces honor by the Chicago Tribune. A four-time Top Workplace honoree, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has been serving families in Will, Grundy and Kendall Counties for more than 90 years.

The Top Workplaces list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by Energage, LLC, a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools. The anonymous survey measures several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.

“The Top Workplaces award is about much more than recognition and celebration,” said Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage. “Our research also shows that these organizations achieve higher referral rates, lower employee turnover, and double the employee engagement levels. It just goes to show that being intentional about culture delivers bottom-line results.”

“Being recognized as a Top Workplace by the Chicago Tribune for the fourth time is an incredible honor for our YMCA,” said President and CEO James Watts. “Our staff team is our greatest asset, and it is truly a privilege to work alongside them each and every day. With the support of our dedicated community volunteers, we have worked very hard to build a staff culture where we can have fun and get a lot done while furthering the Y’s mission in the communities we serve,” added Watts.

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits, strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. A 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has nearly 500 full and part-time staff who work at four locations in Will and Grundy Counties. Driven by its mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all, the Y brings families closer together, encourages good health, and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. But, most importantly, its doors are open to everyone, regardless of age, income or background. At the Y, no one is ever turned away due to the inability to pay.

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Employee Spotlight: Health and Wellness Director Alissa Koenig

With the new year underway, we hope that you are off to a great start on achieving your health and wellness goals. The Greater Joliet Area YMCA encourages you and your family to embrace a healthy lifestyle and take advantage of the many different fitness opportunities available at the Y.  From free group exercise classes to personal training and everything in between, our Wellness team is ready to help you achieve your goals one day at a time.

One of our Wellness team leaders is Alissa Koenig, who began her career at the Greater Joliet Area YMCA two years ago.  As a fourth-generation YMCA member, Koenig became familiar with the Y at an early age.  In fact, her very first job was at a YMCA in Wisconsin where she worked as a certified lifeguard throughout high school.  After a short time away from the Y while attending college, Koenig moved to the Joliet, IL area where she found an opportunity to work for the Greater Joliet Area YMCA.

Since beginning her career at the Greater Joliet Area YMCA, Koenig has spent most of her time working in our healthy living programs. Today, you’ll find Koenig leading our Wellness teams as the Health and Wellness Director at the Galowich and Smith Family YMCAs.

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Koenig: I grew up in Beloit, Wisconsin and I am a true Wisconsin Badger fan! Athletics have always been a major part of my life.  Growing up, I was involved with softball and basketball. Then, once I entered high school, I participated in swimming, track and field and I even raced in triathlons.  For college, I attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where I earned a degree in Health Promotion and Wellness.  As a college student, I swam for the Pointer Swim Team, where I competed at Nationals all four years and earned eight All-American Honors. After college, I worked a variety of jobs, which included being a corporate fitness specialist, an aquatics director, a swim coach, a special events coordinator and a personal trainer.

 Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?

Koenig: Whether I’m enjoying a day in the woods, biking the back roads of Wisconsin or on a lake in the Northwoods of Wisconsin—I love to be outdoors!

 Q: What are you passionate about in life?

Koenig: My passion is health and wellness. I love helping people, of all ages, set attainable goals as well as supporting and guiding them to achieve their goals.  For myself, I enjoy competing in local races, volunteering for the Ironman Triathlon and supporting our young athletes, specifically the Troy Cross Country team.

 Q: What plans do you have for the Galowich and Smith Family YMCAs in the new year?

Koenig: I am excited to introduce new fitness-based programs for our youth and adult YMCA members at both of our branches in Joliet.  I am also eager to debut fun wellness challenges and workshops, welcome guest speakers, and introduce new and different fitness opportunities for our senior Y members throughout the new year.

 Q: What advice would you give Y members looking to focus on their health and well-being?

Koenig: My advice would be to try anything and everything the Y has to offer! Your body gets used to doing the same routine every day, so it’s best to add something new to switch things up. The YMCA offers a variety of opportunities to try something new.  We offer state-of-the-art strength and cardio equipment in our Wellness Centers, free group exercise classes, aquatic fitness programs and so much more!

If you have any questions about how to kick-start your fitness routine, the Y has wellness attendants, fitness instructors and personal trainers to help you along the way!

 Q: What’s your New Year’s resolution?

Koenig:  I plan to keep my New Year’s resolution simple–stay happy and healthy!

If you have questions about your health and wellness goals, new wellness programs or if you’re looking to revitalize your workout routine with the help of a personal trainer, you can stop by Alissa’s office, located near the Wellness Center at the Galowich Y, or you can email her at [email protected].

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The Unmatched Resilience of Angie Manheim

featured-angie-manheimAt age 36, Angie Manheim, a mother of five from New Lenox, was diagnosed with arthritis. Year by year, her condition worsened, and by age 50, her mobility had decreased significantly. Her kids, Angie recalled, had to take care of her.

“I couldn’t do anything for myself,” she said. “It’s been a long, hard ride, believe me.”

While on a family vacation in the Lake of the Ozarks, Angie made a life-changing discovery: Swimming relieved the pain. Suddenly, her joints were no longer stiff.

Luckily, back home, a brand new YMCA had just been built—the Smith Family YMCA on Briggs Street—complete with a swimming pool. When she returned, signing up was a no-brainer. Angie began using the pool regularly and her health steadily improved.

“After about eight months, the staff saw how it helped me and asked me if I’d run a class,” Angie said.

Despite having any prior experience teaching, she agreed.

“My first group had 12 people,” she said. “I would just go through the motions I had gone through, and before you know it I had over 60 people.”

That was 37 years ago. Today, the class, now known as Rusty Hinges, remains an incredibly popular program among seniors who have arthritis and other ailments. Angie, at 87-years-old, still leads class three days a week. [Read more…] about The Unmatched Resilience of Angie Manheim

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