Youth Development — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Hiring Before and After School Care Counselors

August 4, 2020

At the Y, we know that learning doesn’t end when the school bell rings. The way children spend time outside the classroom can make a big difference in their personal development and family-life balance. The Y’s Kid Zone and Kid Zone PLUS programs provide a safe place for children to keep their mind and body active while learning social skills and positive values.

Our before and after school team is dedicated to the Y’s mission and works tirelessly to meet the needs of the communities we serve. This group of talented and energetic staff is second to none and we are now currently looking to hire new part-time employees to expand our team.

Positions Available:
-Kid Zone and Kid Zone PLUS Counselors
– Lead Site Coordinators

Part-Time Employees receive the following benefits:
• A free YMCA Membership
• Save 25% off of Y programming
• Have the opportunity to participate in the Y’s retirement plan (when eligibility requirements have been met)

All YMCA Kid Zone and Kid Zone PLUS staff must be 18 years of age or older. Program hours vary by location.

To learn more contact your local Y branch below or apply online today.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Trisha Dust
Before and After School Care Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 267-8600 ext. 205

Galowich Family YMCA
Brooke Hall
Childcare Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 744-3939, ext. 316

Morris Community YMCA
Sarah Porzel
Youth and Family Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 513-8080, ext. 513

Smith Family YMCA
Catie Wallis
Youth, Family and Outreach Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 726-3939, ext. 417

Will County Board In Partnership With Waste Management Donates $10,000 To YMCA Mission Strong Fund

July 30, 2020

On Thursday, July 30 members of the Will County Board, in partnership with Waste Management, presented the Smith Family YMCA with a check for $10,000 to help support the Y’s Mission Strong Fund. Interim Will County Executive Denise Winfrey as well as District 8 board members Pastor Herb Brooks and Edna Brass were on-hand to present this generous gift to YMCA staff. The Mission Strong Fund was established to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the YMCA in the wake of our COVID-19 related closure and aid continued community service efforts after our reopening. This donation will help support multiple youth development initiatives at the Smith Family YMCA including:

Providing much-needed financial assistance for summer day camp and before and after school care families who are experiencing hardships due to COVID-19.
Adapting our youth programs to incorporate lower staff-to-child ratios to meet social distancing guidelines.
Implementing new safety guidelines in our childcare and youth enrichment programs.

Through its commitment to youth development, the Smith Family YMCA nurtures the potential of every child through its summer day camp and Kid Zone before and after school programs. To learn more about youth programs at the Y, click here.

Pictured in top photo – (L-R) Senior Development Director Julie Wilkinson; Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board President Nick Macris; Membership Director Aracely Rubio; Youth Family and Outreach Director Catie Wallis; Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Jim Watts ; Executive Director Donnie Chestnutt; Will County Board Member Pastor Herb Brooks; Will County Board Member Edna Brass; Interim Will County Board Executive Denise Winfrey

Pictured photo at right- (L-R) Senior Development Director Julie Wilkinson; Will County Board Member Pastor Herb Brooks; Executive Director Donnie Chestnutt; Will County Board Member Edna Brass; Membership Director Aracely Rubio; Youth Family and Outreach Director Catie Wallis; Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board Member Bill Lauer; Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Jim Watts.

Strong Communities Happen Here: Community Appreciation Membership Sale

July 30, 2020

Join the YMCA during our Community Appreciation Membership Sale (August 1-31) and pay a $0 Joiner’s Fee, a savings of up to $120!

Additional Offer For Current Members:
Refer a Friend Special
New members will receive a free gift
Referring members will receive a free month* AND a free gift

*New members must maintain an active, paid membership for two months before the referring member receives his/her free month.

OUR FACILITY MEMBERS ENJOY:

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

Three indoor pools and our family aquatic center, all fully programmed with activities for the entire family, including family swim time, swim lessons, aquatic fitness programs and lap lane access.
Four wellness centers, all equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment.
Free fitness orientations and daily group exercise classes (programs vary by location).

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

So Much More
A complete list of member benefits can be found here.

FOUR CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

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

Galowich Family YMCA
749 Houbolt Road, Joliet IL 60431

Morris Community YMCA
320 Wauponsee St, Morris, IL 60450

Smith Family YMCA
1350 S Briggs St, Joliet, IL 60433

Galowich Family YMCA and Smith Family YMCA Committed to Serving Area Families this School Year

July 22, 2020

As a provider of important before and after school care, the Galowich and Smith Family YMCAs have the distinct pleasure of working each day with youth in the Joliet area. With the start of the new school year quickly approaching, we are continuing to monitor updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local, state and federal health officials to ensure our YMCA is prepared to safely welcome students this fall.

Although the start of the school year will look a little different for many of our families, we remain dedicated to working with our partner school districts to provide much-needed child care. We are currently working with these school districts to finalize our plans for the fall, and look forward to sharing these details in the days and weeks ahead.

Families looking to secure child care through the YMCA for the 2020-2021 school year are encouraged to register for the Y’s Kid Zone program online by clicking below:

Smith Family YMCA Kid Zone

Galowich Family YMCA Kid Zone

Because we are anticipating some changes to our traditional Kid Zone program based on the districts’ instructional plan for the fall, registered Kid Zone families will have the opportunity to opt-in or opt-out of the program without penalty once the districts finalize plans for the 2020-2021 school year. By registering for Kid Zone now, families will secure child care for the fall and help the Y plan for staffing in advance of the school year getting underway.

We will share further updates via email, on social media, and on our website when they become available. In the meantime, we encourage all those with questions to contact:

Galowich Family YMCA
Brooke Hall
Childcare Director
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 316

Smith Family YMCA
Catie Wallis
Youth, Family and Outreach Director
[email protected]
(815) 726-3939, ext. 417