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.
At 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.
In 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.
As 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!