Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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SPONSORSHIPS FOR THE 2026 YMCA MISSION STRONG GOLF CLASSIC ON SALE NOW

As the Greater Joliet Area YMCA celebrates its Centennial Anniversary in 2026, we are excited to announce that sponsorship opportunities for the fifth annual Mission Strong Golf Classic are now available. Generously presented by Midland States Bank, this year’s outing will take place on Monday, August 31 at Morris Country Club. Proceeds will support the Mission Strong Fund, helping ensure that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, the success of all YMCA fundraising events depends greatly on the generosity of local businesses and individuals through sponsorship support. Exciting sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $250 to $5,000, with corresponding benefits, are available. Presenting, leading, titanium, and graphite level sponsors are invited to purchase additional foursomes for this year’s outing before they go on sale to the general public on July 14, 2026. Dinner tickets for the 2026 Mission Strong Golf Classic are also available for $50.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

JOIN US
Fifth Annual YMCA Mission Strong Golf Classic
Monday, August 31

Lunch – 11 a.m.
Shotgun Start – Noon

Morris Country Club- New Location for 2026!
2615 US-6
Morris, Illinois 60450

Your day will include:

  • 18 holes of golf with a cart
  • Lunch and complimentary beverages on the course
  • A cocktail reception, dinner, and awards
  • Welcome gift, course games, prizes, raffles, and more

Cost:
Foursomes: $850*
Cocktail/Dinner Reception Tickets: $50*

*Foursomes and dinner tickets will go on sale at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14.

To learn more about the 2026 Mission Strong Golf Classic, please contact:

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION:
Donnie Chestnutt
Mission Advancement Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 782-0800

EVENT INFORMATION:
Dori Fugate
Volunteer and Special Events Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 782-0502

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Constellation Provides Generous $20,000 Donation in Support of YMCA Send a Kid to Camp Campaign

At the Y, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive at summer day camp, but we can’t do it alone. Last summer, more than half of the children who attended YMCA camp did so with the support of our financial assistance program – made possible by the generosity of donors.

And with our 2026 Send a Kid to Camp Campaign in full swing, we are excited to announce an incredible $20,000 donation from Constellation. This gift will help support the camp experience of 80 children this summer.

“We are so grateful for the kindness of local businesses like Constellation and the impact charitable giving has on children in our community,” Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Business Development Officer Missy Durkin said. “Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference in helping the Y fulfill our mission of creating safe educational spaces for kids. We can’t thank Constellation enough for their commitment to a shared vision of youth development.”

To ensure that the Y’s mission will continue to thrive and help those kids in our community who need it most, we invite you to make a donation to our Send a Kid to Camp today by clicking here.

Pictured in top photo: (L-R) Morris Hospital YMCA Executive Director Jamie Heitman, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Business Development Officer Missy Durkin, Constellation Outage Scheduler Ryan Stapleton, Constellation Facilities and Maintenance Staff Member Rebecca Perez, Constellation Rad Protection and Site Impact Staff Member Rachel Lobb, Constellation Community Relations Manager Val Runner, Morris Hospital YMCA Youth and Family Director Jordan Overton, Constellation Mechanical Maintenance Staff Member Tony Drapal, and Morris Hospital YMCA Youth and Family Manager Maggie Fowler. 

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Leap Into Summer and Join the Y Today

May 15-18, 2026

Join the Y and pay a $0 Joiner’s Fee – a savings of up to $120!* 

* Valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location. Cannot be combined with any other offers. 

Get a jump start on summer savings by joining the Y during our Leap Into Summer Membership Sale! With our wide variety of classes and programs, you’ll be sure to find something at the Y for every member of your family.

LEARN MORE

OUR FACILITY MEMBERS ENJOY:

Access to Three Branches
Your membership gives you unlimited use of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s three YMCA locations, including:

  • Three indoor pools and our family aquatic center
  • Three wellness centers, all equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment.

Free Basic Access to the YMCA On the Go App
The On the Go App will provide Y members with access to the YMCA 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This new interactive tool is loaded with free workouts, on-demand videos, and nutrition tips.

Free Access to the My Y Rewards Program
Upon enrolling in the My Y Rewards Program, you’ll earn points each time you check-in, take a class, or refer a friend to the Y. In fact, now through May 31, you’ll earn your first 200 points for simply enrolling in the program. You can then redeem your points for fun Y swag and program and membership credits. 

Quality Programming
In addition to our free group exercise classes, the Y offers year-round swimming lessons and personal training, among a slew of other options.

THREE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

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

Morris Hospital YMCA
2200 W. Dupont Avenue
Morris, IL 60450

Village of Shorewood YMCA
1801 W. Jefferson Street
Shorewood, IL 60404

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Meet Village of Shorewood YMCA Sports Director Chris Interial

At the Y, we understand that when kids play sports, they do more than just exercise.  Besides being physically active, they develop higher self-esteem, perform better in school and work better in groups.  The Y’s youth sports programs go above and beyond teaching the fundamentals of the game by emphasizing the importance of teamwork.  And, it’s our dedicated sports instructors that help to guide and train our young athletes at the Greater Joliet Area YMCA.

Leading the Village of Shorewood YMCA’s sports team is long-time Y staffer and new Sports Director Chris Interial. Interial began his Y career in 2009 at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA in Plainfield. As a former collegiate athlete and sports enthusiast, he quickly found his niche coaching kids in the Y’s Youth Sports programs. He went on to serve as Sports Director for the Morris Hospital YMCA for seven years, and he has demonstrated a true passion for youth development through organizing countless youth sports programs. He leads a sports team that has an exciting summer planned with a variety of summer sports camps, which will kick off on Monday, June 1.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I grew up in Decatur, IL and I am the oldest of five children. Sports have always played a major role in my life. I grew up playing basketball, baseball, football, and golf.  I even went on to play baseball in college at Lincoln College in Lincoln, IL, and then at Millikin University in Decatur, IL. I now reside in Joliet with my wife Teresa and my sons Luca (10 years old) and Mateo (3 years old).

Q: What are you passionate about in life?

I am passionate about coaching and helping others.  I enjoy seeing a kid who is very passionate about a sport and watching him/her evolve as an athlete.

Q: How did you find the Y?

My mom worked at the Y and I was a Y member.  One night, I was playing basketball and I found out the Y was hiring.  I enjoyed coaching sports and working with kids, so I figured why not?  Looking back, that one night was the beginning of what I hope will be a long career at the YMCA.

Q: As the new Sports Director at the Village of Shorewood YMCA, what exciting programs do you have planned?

In addition to our summer sports camps, I am looking to introduce a number of new sports programs for preschool and kindergarten-aged children in the Shorewood community.  And, I look forward to enhancing the Y’s great sports programs that are already established throughout Will County.

Q: What role do you believe sports plays in youth development?

Sports teaches kids how to work with others and be part of a team.  They get to build social skills outside of school and have new experiences.

Q: What are some of your favorite professional sports teams?

I am definitely a Chicago Cubs and a Dallas Cowboys fan!

As a reminder, there is still time to register for sports camps at the Village of Shorewood YMCA. To learn more about summer sports camps, click here or stop by the Membership Desk during your next visit.  If you have questions about summer camps or the Y’s youth sports programs, you can stop by Chris’ office the next time you visit the Village of Shorewood YMCA, or you can email him directly at [email protected].

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Meet Village of Shorewood YMCA Youth and Family Director Tracy Wrase

Summer day camp starts in just a few short weeks and, as we prepare to welcome hundreds of smiling faces to the Village of Shorewood YMCA’s first ever summer day camp season, we are excited to shine a spotlight on Youth and Family Director Tracy Wrase. Tracy has been with the Y since 2024 and will help lead summer day camp, summer specialty camp, and summer preschool camp activities at the Y. You can learn more about Tracy in the Q&A below!

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got started with the Y team?

I am a married mother of two girls and reside in the Shorewood/Plainfield area. I graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Recreation Management and have more than 10 years of experience in the Parks and Recreation field. I’m so excited to start my third YMCA Summer Camp season! 

Q: Why do you have a passion for youth development work? 

I love watching children grow and explore the world around them. I love seeing their excitement when they have mastered a skill or learn something new.

Q: What do you think makes YMCA summer day camp a special experience for kids? 

I think a big difference is the amount of hands on activities we offer and all of the learning opportunities campers have throughout the day. Through imaginative play, kids using all of their fine and large motor skills to interact with each other.

Q: With summer camp right around the corner, what are some of the most exciting activities you have planned? 

We have a variety of cool field trips this year, lots of STEM activities, and will give campers an opportunity to grow vegetables and fruits in our 18 garden beds.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do outside of the Y?

I am an avid bowler, I love to be outside with my family, and I am a girl scout leader, which gives me an opportunity to lead overnight camping trips.

Don’t miss your chance to register for summer day camp, summer specialty camp, or summer preschool camp opportunities! Sign up today!

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Try the YMCA’s Swim Selector Tool

As we continue to celebrate National Water Safety Month, and with our Summer 1 programming session just around the corner, the Y is excited to remind members of our Swim Lesson Selector tool. Available online, this tool is a must-try for parents who are interested in enrolling their children in YMCA swim lessons.

By answering short “yes-or-no” questions—and in some cases, by watching a short video—the Swim Lesson Selector can help you quickly identify which swim stage is right for your child.

Try It Now

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