Youth Development — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

Registration Underway for Exciting Virtual Summer Programs

May 27, 2020

Set to launch on June 8 and run through July 3, the YMCA’s new four-week summer virtual programming session includes a variety of can’t-miss youth, adult, and family programs. With a wide selection of both fee-based and free programs, the Y has something planned for every member of your family including:

Tiny Dancers (Ages 2-3)
Dance Beginnings (Ages 3-5)
Kids’ Club (Ages 4-7)
MVP Sports (Two Sessions: Ages 4-5 and Ages 6-10)
Imagination Exploration (Ages 6-8)
Y Girls (Ages 8-12)
Teen Impact (Ages 11-14)
American Red Cross Lifeguarding Virtual Classes (Ages 15 and Up)
Google Me (Ages 18 and Up)
And Much More!

National Water Safety Month: Six Tips To Help Kids Stay Safe

May 22, 2020

May is National Water Safety Month and although our facilities are currently closed, the Y is still focused on helping children develop a lifelong love for swimming, while learning vital water safety skills. Here are some important tips to keep your family safe around water.

Never swim alone. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty.
Supervise your children whenever they’re in water. Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or lake, make sure your children are within arm’s reach of you at all time.
Don’t engage in breath holding activities. Children shouldn’t hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can cause drowning and has several other severe physical side effects.
Wear a life jacket. Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water. If a child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural reaction may be to jump in the water to try to save them. Even if a child is a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling them underwater with them. The Y teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them and pull them to safety. By using this technique, children can help their friend without compromising their own safety.
Enroll your children in water safety or swim lessons. Just like teaching your children to look both ways before they cross the street, having them participate in formal water safety lessons teaches them an important life skill. When Y facilities reopen, families will have the opportunity to enroll their children in swim lesson programs which will teach them fundamental water safety skills if they find themselves in water unexpectedly.

Let Your Artistic Talents Shine: YMCA Announces Virtual Canvas Painting Events

May 21, 2020

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is teaming up with local artist Juli Mirabile to host two virtual canvas painting events in June. Let your artistic talents shine and register today for these can’t-miss events:

Tuesday, June 9
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Ages: 18 and up
Canvas Theme: Floral
Cost: $20
Registration Deadline: Sunday, May 31
Register Today

Wednesday, June 10
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Ages: 10-17 years old
Canvas Theme: Ice Cream Delight
Cost: $20
Registration Deadline: Monday, June 1
Register Today

Your registration fee includes an 11”x14” canvas, paint, and instruction. Paint brushes are available for an additional $12 fee. Supplies will be available for pick-up on Monday, June 8 from 4-6 p.m. at your local YMCA branch. Zoom login information will be provided to each registered participant when they pick up their supplies.

Each session is limited to 10 participants, and due to the cost of materials, no discounts will be applied to the program fee. Don’t delay- register today!

About the Instructor:

Juli Mirabile has a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and been teaching painting for more than five years at the Painted Giraffe Studio in Westmont. Juli has also taught several painting classes at the Morris Community YMCA and the C.W. Avery Family YMCA in recent years.

Amazing Learning Experiences: Community Encouraged to Participate in Story Time with the Y

May 19, 2020

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Keeping Kids Connected Initiative is focused on providing opportunities for kids to stay engaged with learning during our temporary closure. And now we are proud to announce Story Time with the Y, a new recurring reading program for children that will officially kick-off on Tuesday, May 26.

As part of this new program, families will be able to join nightly Zoom calls to listen to a story being read by a YMCA volunteer or staff member. Designed for kids, ages 2- 6, these nightly calls will take place Monday-Thursday at 7 p.m. Be sure to follow your local Y’s Facebook page for updates on featured stories and volunteers.

To participate, please follow the steps below:

Go to Zoom.us on your desktop or download the Zoom app for your phone
Click ‘Join a Meeting’ on the home screen
Enter the following information

Meeting ID: 820 7020 6719

Password: 3GxT03

The Y would like to thank our partners from the Plainfield Public Library for helping make this program possible. We can’t wait to share these wonderful stories with you!

Your Voice Matters: YMCA Member Survey

May 19, 2020

Because the safety of our members, our staff, and our community remains our top priority, we are doing everything possible to ensure our facilities meet the highest standards for hygiene and safety. We are also working to modify our policies and programs to facilitate new safety and social distancing guidelines.

As we prepare to reopen our YMCA facilities safely and swiftly when we are permitted to do so, we would appreciate members sharing their thoughts by completing the short survey linked below. Those who complete the survey will also have a chance to win a $25 gift card to an area restaurant.

Take The Survey

We value your feedback and thank you for your continued support of the Y.

A Message to Y Members From Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Jim Watts

May 14, 2020

We want to thank you again for being a loyal member of our YMCA community.

Earlier this month, Governor Pritzker announced a new five-phased plan to reopen the state of Illinois. Based on guidelines outlined in the governor’s new Restore Illinois plan, we are now preparing for a phased reopening of our YMCA facilities in late June.

With new guidance being shared almost daily by our state and local officials, we continue to update our reopening plans. Although the Y will not be permitted to open our facilities until Phase 4 of the governor’s plan, we will be able to offer small outdoor fitness classes and personal training during Phase 3, which may begin in our region later this month. We look forward to sharing more information about these opportunities with members in the days ahead.

Because the safety of our members and our staff remains our top priority, we are doing everything possible to ensure our facilities meet the highest standards for hygiene and safety, and we are working to modify our policies and programs to facilitate new safety and social distancing guidelines. As we prepare to reopen safely and swiftly when we are permitted to do so, we wanted to share some important updates regarding membership fees and summer programming.

Membership and Programs

At this time, all membership drafts remain on hold. We will not be processing additional membership payments before June 28.

We appreciate all the members who have already reached out and generously indicated that they would like to continue to pay their membership fees to support the YMCA during this difficult time. Membership fees paid during our COVID-19-related closure may be considered a charitable gift to our Mission Strong Fund, and will help to ensure the long-term sustainability of the YMCA.

If you would like to make a donation to the Y by continuing to pay your monthly membership fee, please contact a member of our Membership team.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA Members
Megan Payne, Membership Director
Email: [email protected]

Morris Community YMCA and Galowich and Smith Family YMCA Members
Jamie Nelson, Membership and Wellness Director
Email: [email protected]

Summer Session Programing

We are planning to delay the start of session-based programming until mid-July, with our Summer 2 session scheduled to begin on July 13. Registration for Summer 2 programming will begin on Saturday, June 6. Please watch your email in the coming weeks for additional information, including a link to the YMCA’s Summer Program Guide.

Summer Camps
The first day of YMCA summer day camp and sports camps will be on Monday, June 29, as permitted by state and federal guidelines. Although our summer camp programs will look a little different this year, we remain dedicated to providing all YMCA campers and their families with a healthy and safe camp experience, full of fun and wonderful memories. Online registration for summer camp is currently underway at www.jolietymca.org.

Youth Sports Leagues
Based on guidelines outlined in the governor’s plan, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all of our spring soccer, t-ball, baseball and softball leagues. Registered families will receive system credits for future programming. Refunds are also available upon request.

JETS Swim Team
The JETS Swim Team will resume activities in early July and will participate in a 6-week modified practice season. The summer season will end on August 15. Summer registration information will be shared with JETS families via Team Unify when it becomes available.

Before and After School Kid Zone Program

On Friday, April 17, Governor Pritzker announced that schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year, which means the Y’s 2019-2020 Kid Zone program has concluded for the school year.

As a reminder, Kid Zone registration for the 2020-2021 school year is underway. Families who register by Monday, April 27 will pay a $0 registration fee- a savings of $45. You can learn more about Kid Zone here.

If you have questions about the Y’s Kid Zone program, please contact a member of our Before and After School Care team:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA Members
Trisha Dust, Before & After School Care Director
Email: [email protected]

Galowich and Smith Family YMCA Members
Brooke Hall, Before & After School Care Director
Email: [email protected]

Morris Community YMCA Members
Sarah Porzel, Youth & Family Director
Email: [email protected]

Pint-Size Pupils

On Friday, April 17, Governor Pritzker announced that schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year. Because the Y’s Pint-Size Pupils (PSP) program runs in concert with Plainfield District 202’s school calendar, in-person PSP classes have concluded for the school year. Although we won’t be meeting with our students in-person for the reminder of the school year, we look forward to continuing virtual learning opportunities with our students and their families. We are also hoping to reschedule our graduation ceremony for later this summer. We will share more details as plans are finalized.

We Are Stronger Together

As a non-profit, community-based organization, the YMCA relies on your membership to provide services and financial assistance for children, adults and families living in our community. We know that by working together we will get through these difficult times. And when we do, please know that the YMCA will be here to support you and your family, like we have for more than 90 years.

Because this situation is ever-changing, please watch your email, follow the Y on social media, and visit our website at www.jolietymca.org for additional updates. Please stay well and take good care of yourselves and your loved ones.

God Bless You,
James Watts
President and CEO
Greater Joliet Area YMCA