Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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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…]

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My Y Memory: Michele Brown

IMG_7525In this photo, I was probably about eight-years-old, and my brother was about six. My mom signed us up for a week of day camp (like Galowich’s), where you went every day for a week. Our camp was at an actual campsite, though. We were bused from a local grade school to the campsite each day. I remember playing a lot of outdoor games, especially capture the flag. I was pretty little, so I remember being disappointed that I was captured so early in the game.

I vividly remember making a plaster of paris casts of animal footprints in the ground. I made a deer print casting. It was one of my favorite things I did that week. On the last night, we had an overnight, complete with campfire, stories, songs and s’mores.  I remember feeling very grown-up and independent when I walked around the campsite in the dark with my flashlight. I’ve always loved campfires, and I’m sure it started with that first one. My brother and I only went that one week, but I never forgot it.

I’ve sent all three of my girls to a sleep-away camp when they were younger. In two weeks, my youngest child, my 12-year-old son Josh, is going to YMCA Camp Benson for the second time. He had a great experience last year, and this year he’s old enough to do a few more things he couldn’t do last year. I hope to continue to send him in the years to come.

Michele Brown is the Membership Director for the Galowich and Smith Family YMCAs.

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Staff Q&A: Melissa Parker

1231-YMCAAs a teenager, Melissa Parker volunteered at the Y as a junior camp counselor and helped out with youth basketball games, keeping score and running the clocks. Nowadays, she (officially) works at the Smith Family YMCA, where she’s one of the first faces you see when you step through the door. Although Melissa mainly works at the membership desk, in the past she has worked as a camp counselor and offsite coordinator for the Central City YMCA. All in all, Melissa is a dedicated, enthusiastic Y staff member, who is truly a joy to be around. Check out our Q&A below!

The Y: Were you in any Y programs growing up?
Melissa Parker: I participated in cheerleading in fourth and fifth grade and I was actually a part of the first Teen Achievers class. The very first year—it was kind of like an ‘experiment.’

Wow, that’s super cool.
I actually chaperoned a trip for them last year. I loved it. Those kids are amazing. It was fun. It was a pretty cool trip. We visited between seven and nine colleges. I was grateful for the experience. I was glad to be a part of their learning experience.

What about nowadays? Do you use the facilities at the Y?
My family and I come to work out every morning. My parents get in the water. My sisters and I will go back in the gym and work out. We get up at like 6:30 a.m. It’s rough, but we make it! Five days a week.

If you’re not at the Y, what are you up to?
Church. That’s it. I go from work to church to home. That’s kind of like my life. Church and the Y.

Excellent. What’s your most memorable Y Story?
A story that I’ll keep with me is a story of one of my campers. He started when he was six. He had been with me for like seven years. He had some self-esteem issues and there were certain things we could never get him to do. We’d try to push him every year! There was an ice skating trip during my last year as an offsite coordinator and I asked him to go around the rink just one time. So he put his ice skates on and we went around half way and he was like “Okay I need to go back.” I said “You can’t, you might as well finish! You’re half way there!” So he finished it and I was so proud. I said “You did it! That’s all you had to do!” He was happy with himself. He stopped saying “I can’t” and he actually did it. It was a boost of confidence for him. This is why I do this—to see these kids’ faces. To see their reactions. To try to get them to just try something new. It was an achievement for the Y. It was an achievement for me. It was especially an achievement for him, which is what’s most important. I was happy for him. To this day I am.

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