Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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C.W. Avery Family YMCA Partnering with Endeavor Health for Weightlifting 101 Seminar

Start the new year with purpose, power, and the confidence to take your fitness training to the next level by attending a special Weightlifting 101 seminar at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA! This hands-on seminar, offered in partnership with Endeavor Health, is designed for lifters of all experience levels—whether you’re stepping up to the barbell for the first time or looking to refine your technique with expert guidance.

Date: Tuesday, January 13
Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Led by Endeavor Health Physical Therapist Sean Leninger, this interactive session will help participants learn more about:

  • Proper form and safety fundamentals
  • Techniques for building strength and preventing injury
  • Structuring workouts for consistent progress

Don’t miss this chance to start the year strong! Space is limited, and spots will fill fast!

REGISTER TODAY

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Morris Hospital YMCA Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

On December 16, 2024, the Morris Hospital YMCA opened its doors to serve the community for the very first time! It has truly been a privilege to serve members from throughout Grundy County over the past year. And, as we celebrate this important milestone, we’d like to take a closer look at year one at the Morris Hospital YMCA ‘By the Numbers.’

7,500+ Facility and Community Members

We have been so grateful for the support of a YMCA community that has nearly tripled in size since we opened our doors on Dupont Avenue one year ago. 

1,038 Athletes in YMCA Youth Sports Leagues

The excitement and passion for recreational youth sports programming in our community is unmatched, and we are proud to create a healthy outlet for children to gain new skills, develop a sense of teamwork, and connect with positive role models- like our incredible group of volunteer coaches.

972 Swim Lesson Participants 

This year marked the first time that YMCA swim lessons were offered in Grundy County! We have been so proud to help make our community safer by teaching this invaluable life skill to kids in our community. 

29 Morris Members on the JETS Swim Team 

A staple of YMCA aquatics programming, the JETS youth swim team began the next chapter in its illustrious history with a splash by welcoming more than two dozen new Morris teammates to the squad. The team now features a record contingent of more than 200 swimmers overall. 

22 Nutrition and Health Education Seminars

We are grateful to our partners at Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers for sharing the expertise of their medical professionals and guest speakers. Covering topics from heart-healthy recipes to pain management through exercise, these programs connected more than 400 attendees with valuable resources throughout the year.

10 Memorable Weeks of Summer Camp

Summer Day Camp offers kids a chance to have fun and develop new friendships while building a healthy spirit, mind, and body. Whether it was in the pool, on a field trip, or at the annual picnic, kids of all ages made memories that will last a lifetime this summer at YMCA camp.

ONE Place to Call Home

As we celebrate our first anniversary, we want to thank our members, volunteers, donors, and employees for making this milestone possible. Your support continues to strengthen our YMCA, and we are so excited to see what year number two will bring! Thank you for being an important member of our YMCA family!

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Be sure to check out our Facebook page for even more highlights from an amazing year at the Y! 

We also invite the community to visit the Morris Hospital YMCA on Saturday, January 10 for a special open house event, complete with activities for all ages! Stay tuned for more details coming soon.

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Meet Endeavor Health Physical Therapist Beth Nelson

Located within the C.W. Avery Family YMCA, the Endeavor Health Physical Therapy Clinic has been an invaluable resource for the Y community for the past three years. We are excited to highlight the newest addition to the Endeavor staff team in physical therapist Beth Nelson! Beth has more than 20 years of experience in physical therapy and began with Endeavor this past August. Learn more about her in the Q&A below.

Q: Why do you enjoy being a physical therapist?

Being a healer is a gift. I know it sounds cheesy, but I feel like we’re making the world a better place one patient at a time. I realize how special it is to have a good relationship with patients, and to be able to help people heal. Without them, I don’t get to live my life’s purpose.

Q: What is your philosophy when it comes to working with patients? 

Our job is to make sure that you can do all the things you are passionate about doing in your life. Nobody should ever be in a position where they have to say ‘I can’t do that anymore’ or ‘That isn’t something that I will be able to do’. Whether it’s taking care of grandkids, participating in an exercise class, being part of a sports team, or gardening. Whatever it is, we’re here to help you do the things you want to do.

Q: What are the most common ailments you assist with?

The most common things are joint pain (hip, knee, shoulder), back and neck pain, sport injuries, and post-operative care. But one thing people don’t always think about is how we can help with pain in the pelvic floor and the muscles in your abs.

Q: What advice do you have for someone who might be feeling pain or discomfort?

Don’t let injuries linger and don’t feel like this is the way life is going to be moving forward. The earlier you come in, the easier it is for us to get you back to doing what you want to do. That being said, it’s never too late. There’s always something we can do to get you stronger, healthier, and living the life that you want to live. 

Q: What are the strengths of the partnership between Endeavor Health and the Y?

I think it’s the shared focus on all aspects of healthcare. The Y community is a vibrant community and helps you maintain your social and emotional health in addition to your physical health. And then with us at Endeavor, you have easy access to specialists and doctors that you can communicate with. If you’re having any kind of symptoms, if you don’t know where to go or who to turn to, we can connect you with the right person.

Q: What stands out about the Y community?

The variety of things offered here is impressive. A lot of my patients are Y members and they always speak about the different classes they go to and the equipment they use. I also think having the Kids’ Corner playroom is great. Helping moms take care of themselves is a passion of mine. I know they make sure they are taking care of their kids, but you still have to take care of yourself too! The Kids’ Corner gives them the opportunity to do that while still knowing their kids are safe. Overall, the Y is very welcoming.

On behalf of the Y, we are so happy to welcome Beth to our community and remain thankful for the amazing services provided by the Endeavor Health team to support healthy living in our community. 

To make an appointment to see a physical therapist at the Endeavor Health Physical Therapy Clinic at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA, please call (630) 527-3375. The Endeavor team will obtain insurance approval, provide you with the number of visits allowed, and give you an estimate of your out-of-pocket cost per visit.

Hours are available by appointment on weekdays during the following times:
Mondays and Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Endeavor also offers free injury screenings. To schedule your screening, visit the Physical Therapy front desk during normal operating hours or call to set up a screening time.

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Morris Hospital YMCA Recognized with Partnership Award

The Morris Hospital YMCA, alongside its partners from Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers and the City of Morris, were recently recognized by the Grundy Economic Development Council (GEDC) and the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce with the ‘Partners of the Year Award.’ Presented at the GEDC and Chamber’s annual dinner on March 5, the award recognized the collaborative efforts amongst the Y, the Hospital, and the City to bring the first full-facility YMCA to Grundy County. The Morris Hospital YMCA opened its doors to serve the community in December 2024.

Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair led a group of YMCA staff on hand to accept the award alongside Morris Advisory Council Chair Kevin Olson, City of Morris Mayor Chris Brown, and Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers President and CEO Tom Dohm.

“The Y would like to thank the GEDC for this incredible honor,” Leclair said. “We know that all the great things that happen every day at the YMCA would not be possible without strong community partnerships. Morris Hospital and the City of Morris have shown an amazing dedication to supporting the Y as we begin a new chapter of serving our community with this facility.”

The Morris Hospital YMCA represents the largest fundraising effort in the history of Grundy County and is now home to more than 6,000 YMCA members. Located just west of Morris Grade School on Dupont Avenue, the new 60,000-square-foot YMCA features an eight-lane lap pool, gym, a state-of-the-art wellness center, a group exercise studio, cycling studio, healthy eating kitchen, and engaging youth play spaces.

To learn more about the new Morris Hospital Y, click here or stop by today! 

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Morris Hospital YMCA Welcomes Community with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House


The Morris Hospital YMCA was proud to welcome the community to a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House on Saturday, January 11. 

Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair said that the celebration was the perfect way to culminate a project nearly 20 years in the making. 

“This building is a beacon of hope, a place of connection, and a space where people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can come together to learn, grow, and thrive. It’s where our shared vision of strengthening the foundations of our community will come to life and impact Grundy County residents for generations to come,” Leclair said. “To our donors, volunteers, our partners at Morris Hospital, the City of Morris, Grundy County, and to all of our YMCA members, I’d like to thank you for believing in the Y’s mission and making this dream a reality.” 

The new YMCA facility, which was made possible thanks to the largest charitable fundraising effort in Grundy County history, has now welcomed more than 4,000 visitors since opening its doors on December 16.

Additional Ribbon Cutting Speakers Included:
Christina Van Yperen, Grundy County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO
Donna Jeschke, Morris Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet Volunteer
Cheri Rubocki, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board of Directors Chairman
Tom Dohm, Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers President and CEO
Mayor Chris Brown, City of Morris
State Senator Sue Rezin, Illinois – 38th District
Missy Durkin, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Business Development Officer
Kevin Olson, Morris Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet Co-Chair
Guy Christensen, Morris Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet Co-Chair
Jamie Heitman, Morris Hospital YMCA Executive Director

At the conclusion of the Ribbon Cutting, the YMCA hosted a Community Open House from 1-4 p.m., which featured a wide range of activities, including facility tours, program demonstrations, group exercise classes, face painting, and arts and crafts. WCSJ was also onsite broadcasting live throughout the event.

Representatives from Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers were also on hand to provide tours of the Hospital’s new cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, physical, occupational and speech therapy, and cardiovascular and orthopedics and sports medicine spaces, which are located within the YMCA.   

Open House attendees also had the chance to participate in special raffles and giveaways, and pick up a commemorative grand opening t-shirt.

If you are interested in joining the Morris Hospital YMCA, now is the perfect time as our January Membership Sale is underway! You can join online today or by visiting the Y at 2200 W. Dupont Avenue in Morris.

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Helping You Live Better: YMCA Members Invited to Participate in Fit4U Introductory Health and Wellness Program

If you are looking to start a new fitness routine in 2025 and don’t know where to begin, or if you have taken a break from exercise and want to get back on track, the Y’s new Fit4U program is for you! This FREE introductory health and wellness program offers guidance, knowledge, and motivation to help you lead a healthier lifestyle and become more physically active. The comprehensive 4-week program will introduce you to Wellness Center amenities, help you set goals, and design a workout program that works best for you. Each appointment will introduce you to a new element of fitness under the guidance of a Wellness Attendant.

PART 1: GETTING STARTED AND BASELINE TESTS

During this opening session, we will assess your current fitness level, set goals, get body composition (if requested), and complete our Fit4U questionnaire. You will have the opportunity to get set up on the YMCA on the Go App and begin orientation on any cardiovascular equipment (treadmills, ellipticals and bikes) that interests you.

PART 2: CARDIO REVIEW AND UPPER BODY STRENGTH

This session will reinforce the basics of using cardio equipment and add instruction of upper body strength equipment based on your fitness goals.

PART 3: LOWER BODY STRENGTH TRAINING

The third session will introduce lower body strength equipment based on your fitness goals and review progress on your new fitness schedule.

PART 4: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

In this closing session, we will review and answer any additional questions related to cardio or strength equipment, workout progressions, and Personal Training options.

Open to Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facility Members Only.

REGISTER TODAY

To learn more about Fit4U, please contact your local Y branch:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Kristen Derengowski
Health, Wellness and Dance Director
[email protected]

Galowich Family YMCA
Alissa Koenig
Health and Wellness Director
[email protected]

Morris Hospital YMCA
Ro Petersen
Health and Wellness Director
[email protected]

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