Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Village of Shorewood YMCA Invites Community to Attend ‘Coffee with the YMCA’ Events

As we prepare to open the new Village of Shorewood YMCA in spring 2026, the Y is excited to invite the community to participate in our ‘Coffee with the YMCA’ events this fall! These meet and greets will be wonderful opportunities to learn more about the new facility, future programming, membership opportunities, and grand opening festivities.

Thursday, September 25*
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Shorewood-Troy Public Library
650 Deerwood Drive
Shorewood, IL 60404

*Complimentary child care services will be available onsite at this meeting.

Wednesday, October 8
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Minooka Village Hall
121 McEvilly Road
Minooka, IL 60447

To learn more about the new Village of Shorewood YMCA, please contact Executive Director Trisha Dust at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 327.

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Discover Your Potential: Alianna Haynes’ Y Story

The YMCA is a place where children, teens, and young adults can cultivate their talents, develop new skills, and build bonds of friendship. Sixteen-year-old Alianna Haynes has been able to accomplish all three as a member of the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Thrive Dance Team. 

“When I was younger I took a summer jazz class at the Y and some of the girls told me about THRIVE. When I heard about it I really wanted to join.” Alianna said. “I remember watching the older girls dance and wanting to be like them. They were really nice, kind, and inspiring.”

Alianna, who attends Plainfield South High School, has now been a member of the THRIVE Dance Team for the last six years. She says that she maintains a passion for performing because it is a great outlet for personal expression. 

“I really like music and dance because it is a way to show my emotions. It’s a lot easier for me than saying it out loud,” she said. 

Alianna was also recently named a Faculty Favorite in Contemporary Dance at an Activate Your Artistry (AYA) Dance Convention, receiving the honor of AYA Brand Ambassador for the 2025-26 season. She credited the amazing team of THRIVE instructors for helping her prepare for competitions.

“My coach, Caly (Hitt), works with me on most of my competition dances. I sometimes get nervous and she does a really good job of helping me calm down and making me feel like I’m going to do a good job.”

Health, Wellness, and Dance Director Kristen Derengowski said Alianna sets a great example for younger dancers and that the AYA honor was well deserved. 

“Alianna is a fantastic dancer. She works so hard and when she steps on stage you can see her love of dance come through. It was great to see her abilities recognized,” Kristen said.

Alianna is excited to continue building a strong team atmosphere as Thrive’s fall season rolls along.

“It’s so much fun here. We’re definitely a family when we hang out at competitions. We enjoy being together,” she said.

We congratulate Alianna on all her success and wish her and all her THRIVE teammates the best this season!


Whether your child is just starting out or looking to refine their technique, the Y offers a supportive environment where every dancer can shine. Register for upcoming fall dance classes by clicking here.

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2025 Morris Hospital YMCA Coloring Contest

Calling all Y Kids! To celebrate this very fun time of year in Grundy County, the Morris Hospital YMCA is holding a special Coloring Contest! Open to kids, ages 4-12, this is the perfect opportunity to let your artistic talents shine.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Download the official entry form below.

Coloring Contest Form

2. Grab your crayons, markers or colored pencils and color away!

3. Drop it off at the Membership Desk of the Morris Hospital YMCA or give it to your Kid Zone counselor.

4. All entries must be submitted by Noon on Sunday, September 21. Contest is open to children ages 4-12. One winner will be selected in each of the following age groups:

Ages 4-5
Ages 6-7
Ages 8-9
Ages 10-12

PLEASE NOTE: One entry per child, but multiple children per household are allowed. Submitted artwork becomes the property of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA. Official Entry Form must be signed by a parent or guardian, 18 years or older.

Good luck!

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Village of Shorewood YMCA Offering CPR and Babysitter’s Training Classes

The Village of Shorewood YMCA is excited to host a series of educational classes at the Village of Shorewood Town Hall this fall. All classes are open to the community and registration is underway.

American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED Training
Open to ages 16 and up

Dates:
Tuesday, September 16, 5-8 p.m.
Wednesday, October 15, 5-8 p.m.

Fee:
$60, open to the community 

This class is an American Red Cross certification course for First Aid, CPR, and AED. Participants will learn the proper techniques for administering adult, child, and infant CPR, and the role of a first responder in a First Aid emergency. This is a blended learning class. Participants must complete the online portion prior to attending a classroom session. Online resources will be sent after participants complete registration.

REGISTER TODAY

American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training
Open to ages 11-16

Date:
Monday, October 13, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Fee:
$85, open to the community

Participants in this class will learn the information and skills necessary to provide safe and responsible care for infants and school-age children in the absence of parents. Emphasis will be placed on safety and safe play, first aid, and developing skills in leadership and professionalism. Each participant will take home their own training manual and materials. Participants should bring their own lunch.

REGISTER TODAY

Location:
Village of Shorewood Town Hall
1 Towne Center Blvd
Shorewood, IL 60404

If you have any questions about these events, please contact Executive Director Trisha Dust at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 327.

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The Dream Starts Here: Illinois YMCA Statewide Football Skills Challenge Coming This Fall

As part of the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs dynamic collaboration with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA), the Greater Joliet Area YMCA invites youth athletes to participate in the Illinois YMCAs Statewide Football Skills Challenge.

Event Details:

Boys and girls divisions are available for Grades 5, 6, 7, and 8. 

Participants will compete in passing, punting, kicking, and agility drills during a preliminary round, hosted by local YMCAs. The top scoring athlete from each division will then have their score entered into the statewide contest to be compared to winners at other event sites.

Cost: Free and open to the community.

Please Note: Registration is required. 

Host Sites:

Joliet Junior College – Event Center
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431

Date: Wednesday, October 15
Time: Participants will compete sometime between 6-7:30 p.m. Upon completing registration, participants will be contacted to confirm their competition time slot.
REGISTER TODAY

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

Date: Sunday, October 19
Time: Participants will compete sometime between 9 a.m.-Noon. Upon completing registration, participants will be contacted to confirm their competition time slot.
REGISTER TODAY

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

Date: Sunday, October 19
Time: Participants will compete sometime between 9 a.m.-Noon. Upon completing registration, participants will be contacted to confirm their competition time slot.
REGISTER TODAY

The top three statewide scores from the 5th and 6th grade divisions will advance to compete in the event finals during the IHSA Football State Championship Games in Normal on November 28, 2025.

The top three statewide scores from the 7th and 8th grade divisions will advance to compete in the event finals during the IHSA Football State Championship Games in Normal on November 29, 2025.

COMPETITION RULES and FAQs 

To learn more, please contact:

Maria Freeh, C.W. Avery Family YMCA Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 217

Zach Jarosz, Joliet Community YMCA Sports Manager
[email protected]
Phone: (815) 744-3939, ext. 317

Chris Interial, Morris Hospital YMCA Sports Director
[email protected] 
(815) 513-8080, ext. 514

*Under the statewide theme, “The Dream Starts Here,” this collaboration brings together the resources and expertise of YMCAs across Illinois, the IHSA, and the IESA to inspire a new generation of leaders and athletes by promoting participation in youth sports statewide. Additionally, the initiative encourages young people to consider jobs and volunteer opportunities at the Y where they can gain valuable skills and hands-on experience to pursue career pathways in sports-related fields like coaching, officiating, and sports administration.

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Hosts Wall Signing Ceremony for Future Village of Shorewood YMCA


The Greater Joliet Area YMCA welcomed supporters to the site of the future Village of Shorewood YMCA for a special wall signing ceremony on Thursday, August 28. 

YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair kicked off the event by welcoming guests and thanking members of the building team, including Narvick Bros. General Contractors, for their round the clock work to construct the facility in preparation for its planned opening in spring 2026.   

Leclair also recognized the YMCA’s Board of Directors, the Village of Shorewood YMCA Advisory Council, the Village of Shorewood leadership team, mayor and trustees, and YMCA employees and members for their support of this exciting project. 

“At the Y, we are so blessed to have the very best team of staff, volunteers, members, donors, and community partners working together to create thriving spaces and engaging programs to serve our community,” Leclair said.

Leclair then introduced Village of Shorewood Advisory Council Chairman Dr. Karla Guseman, who provided the morning’s invocation. 

Shorewood Mayor CC DeBold then stepped to the podium to speak about the Village’s vision for the future facility. He emphasized that Y programs will provide fun activities like youth sports leagues for kids, as well as important health, wellness, and recreation opportunities for residents of all ages, all while creating employment opportunities within the Shorewood community. 

DeBold then welcomed YMCA Board of Directors Chairman Cheri Rubocki, who described how the opening of the Shorewood facility will serve as one of the highlights of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Centennial Celebration in 2026. 

“As our YMCA prepares to celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2026, we are very excited to create more opportunities for our friends and neighbors to learn, grow, and thrive at the YMCA,” Rubocki said. “Like all of you, I am counting down the days until we can cut the ribbon, open the doors, and officially welcome our community to the new Village of Shorewood YMCA!”

Illinois State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, who helped to secure grant funding for the project from the State of Illinois, followed with brief remarks about the importance of investing in our communities.

Village of Shorewood YMCA Executive Director Trisha Dust closed the event by sharing her excitement for the ongoing preparations and thanking everyone for attending. She then invited guests to enter the facility and ceremoniously autograph their name on a wall located at the heart of the new facility, securing a legacy of collaboration that will last for years to come.  

To learn more about the future Village of Shoewood YMCA, visit the branch homepage today!

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