Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Make a Difference This Holiday Season by Participating in the Galowich Family YMCA’s Giving Tree

We invite you to join the Galowich Family YMCA in spreading cheer this holiday season by participating in our 2025 Giving Tree program. All items collected will be wrapped and given to YMCA families in need this Christmas season.

To participate, select an ornament tag from the wall next to the Christmas Tree in the lobby at the Galowich Family YMCA. Each tag describes an item on a child’s wish list. Members are welcome to select more than one gift. Return your unwrapped gift(s), with the ornament tag attached, by Friday, December 12 to the Membership Desk.

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JETS Swim Team Set to Host Thanksgiving Classic Meet

The JETS Swim Team is excited to feature a record contingent of more than 200 athletes heading into this weekend’s JETS Thanksgiving Classic hosted at Oswego East High School. 

“Our program is in the strongest place it’s ever been following this fall’s expansion at the Morris Hospital YMCA and continued growth in participation from kids in Plainfield and Joliet,” Director of Competitive Aquatics Dave Hedden said. “We have a great group of kids that are ready to compete.”

JETS swimmer Holly Zilinger (age 15) said it’s inspiring to be a part of the thriving team environment.

“It’s awesome to have a bunch of people interested in swimming. I know that since I started I’ve never looked back,” she said.

Ion Siminoi, a seven time Illinois YMCA State Champion, said the current team makeup is the product of multi-year commitments from a large number of swimmers.

“There’s a wave of kids that joined the team when they were 11 or 12 and now we’re all in the fastest group. This is going to be a great season and we’re hoping to do well at all our meets.”

For 15 year old Benjamin Jensen, the team has been a great opportunity to make new friends.

“Some of my best friends are on this team and that makes it easy to look forward to practice,” he said. “I go to Joliet West and I wouldn’t ever see the kids from Plainfield if it wasn’t for swimming. The camaraderie of our group has continued to build as we keep swimming with each other.”

These team bonds have been strengthened not only at competitive meets, but also on team trips to places like the Indiana Dunes and the Olympic Swim Trials. 

“I think we’ve learned a lot. We’re all very close. If somebody isn’t happy with their performance, a teammate is always there for you,” Zilinger said.

The experienced swimmers have also made it a point of emphasis to build a welcoming environment for the younger age groups.

“It’s a really familial team,” Siminoi said. “A lot of us have siblings on the team, so we do have the ability to connect and guide the younger swimmers.”

Maintaining a culture of teamwork, accountability, and respect has not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff.

“JETS swimmers aren’t just team leaders, they’re community leaders, and we are so proud of the way they represent our Y each and every day,” Hedden said.

The Y wishes all the best to our JETS swimmers competing this weekend in Oswego and look forward to all the success they will have in the 2025-26 season!

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YMCA Volunteer Spotlight: Morris Hospital YMCA Member Tyler Mann

YMCA youth sports programs teach kids the fundamentals of the game while emphasizing the importance of teamwork. At the Y, we know these programs would not be possible without the generosity and dedication of our volunteer coaches. As we prepare for the upcoming Youth Basketball League (YBL) season, we’d like to shine the spotlight on Morris Hospital YMCA volunteer Tyler Mann. Tyler has spent multiple seasons coaching his sons, Axel and Atlas. You can learn more about him in the Q&A below.

Q: What inspired you to become a volunteer coach?

Even before there was a full-facility Y in Morris, there was a footprint of a Y here, and I officiated YMCA basketball for (former Sports Director) Ken Iverson for five or six years. Once I got a full-time job, it wasn’t feasible for me to continue officiating, so I took a break. Now that I have my own children, I’ve been lucky to come back as a coach for three flag football seasons and one basketball season.

Q: What makes Y programs so special?

The Y is so good for the community because it brings people together. We live in Seneca, but Morris is in my roots, it’s where I’m from, and it’s nice to see opportunities that weren’t here when I was a kid. My sons have made so many friends through YMCA sports programs.

Q: What kind of support do YMCA coaches receive during the season?

There is always somebody from the Y here to help if need be. This year, I know I had an incident where I had to rush my dog to the ER vet. I was on the way home from work and I told Sports Director Chris Interial. He told me not to worry because somebody would be there for practice. It helps to know that in an emergency you’re not going to let your players down by canceling practice. They all want to learn and we all want to help teach them.

Q: What are your favorite aspects of being a volunteer coach for the Y?

My favorite part about being a volunteer is looking at the difference in the kids from day one to the final day of leagues – seeing their growth and knowing it can ignite a passion. I know for my oldest son, he wouldn’t have thought about football until there was a flag program here. Now I can’t get him to stop talking about it. He always wants to play catch or kick the football in the yard.

Q: What is your favorite memory from your Y volunteer experience?

My first year of coaching flag football was with the pre-K group and it was with kids who really didn’t understand football yet. We were trying to run a reverse all season and get them to understand misdirection. The first time that we had a clean snap, clean handoff to the running back, and a clean handoff on the reverse, I could see them recognizing the defense going the other way and understanding why it happened. It was so cool. Not every person on the field had the ball, but every person had an important role.

Q: What advice do you have for individuals who are interested in signing up to be a YMCA volunteer coach

It’s not always easy to structure your life around something you’re volunteering for, but in the end it’s always so rewarding. Every player is different, so I always try to make a connection with the children and see what they need most. Sometimes that’s as simple as gaining confidence. Sometimes improving work ethic. If I can identify their needs, I try to work with them to the best of my abilities.

We are so proud to have Tyler as a volunteer and thank him for his efforts to support youth development in our community. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer basketball coach this winter, you can sign up by clicking here. 

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Save During the Y’s Thankful for You Membership Sale

Join the Y between November 11-13 during our Thankful for You Membership Sale and pay a $0 Joiner’s Fee – a savings of up to $120!

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, all fully programmed with activities for the entire family, including family swim time, swim lessons, aquatic fitness programs and lap lane access.
  • Three 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.

Child Care
If you have a Family Membership, you can drop your child(ren) off at our supervised playroom while you exercise.

Free Basic Access to the YMCA On the Go App
The YMCA On the Go App provides 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, you’ll earn your first 50 points for simply enrolling in the program. You can then redeem your points for fun Y swag and program and membership credits.

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

THREE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

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

Galowich Family YMCA
749 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431

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

JOIN THE Y

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE AND MY Y REWARDS BONUS

We are also collecting non-perishable food items from November 10-16 with donations benefitting the following organizations:

Plainfield Area Interfaith Food Pantry

Salvation Army Food Pantry

We Care of Grundy County

Members enrolled in the My Y Rewards Program who donate a non-perishable food item during the collection drive will also receive 100 My Y Rewards bonus points. (One-time bonus per member).

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Skills for Life: Caleb and Natalie Lopez’s Y Story

YMCA swim lessons help kids stay fit, healthy, and strong when they spend time in and around the water. Additionally, kids of all ages gain confidence and learn vital water safety skills that will last them a lifetime. For C.W. Avery Family YMCA member Naomi Lopez, seeing her children Caleb and Natalie learn to swim at the Y has been an invaluable life experience.

“Caleb and Natalie started lessons at the Y a couple years ago when they were preschoolers. They had no experience and were nervous to even do anything near water,” Naomi said. “They’ve gone from not knowing anything to swimming on their own. They’ve built so much confidence and love coming here.”

Caleb and Natalie have participated in both group swim lessons and private swim lessons, options that Naomi said provide different advantages for families. 

“With group lessons, I really like that there are so many options. It’s very flexible. I can get them in pretty much any day I want. With private lessons, they were able to improve their skills even quicker because of it being 1-on-1. In both cases, they have had a wonderful experience with all of their instructors. They’re organized in the way they do things, so it’s always timely and always fun,” she said. 

Naomi believes the structure of YMCA swim lessons has also had a positive impact on Caleb and Natalie as young learners.  

“They were very little during the time they started swim lessons and didn’t have any classroom experience. They learned little things that would help in a classroom setting like following the teacher and listening. It helped them to pay attention and follow instructions,” she said.

And, after continuing lessons this fall, Caleb and Natalie have now reached swim levels that allow them to use the full amenities of the YMCA’s Family Pool. 

“I usually bring them to play in the Family Pool in the winter, which is great for when it’s so cold and there is nothing to do outside. They can both go down the big slides now, which was something they couldn’t do before, so that was huge for them,” Naomi said.

But for the Lopez family, the Y journey is just beginning.

“I have four kids total and the two little ones will also be doing swim lessons soon,” Naomi said. “This is a great place for all, especially families looking for a budget friendly option and an opportunity to give their kids a lot of different extracurricular activities. Whenever my kids are interested in something I always look to the Y first before looking anywhere else. It’s perfect.”

To learn more about swim lessons at the Y, click here or speak with a member of our aquatics team during your next visit. To register online, click here.

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YMCA Volunteer Spotlight: C.W. Avery Family YMCA Youth Basketball League Coach Ryan Fair

YMCA youth sports programs teach kids the fundamentals of the game while emphasizing the importance of teamwork. At the Y, we know these programs would not be possible without the generosity and dedication of our volunteer coaches. As we prepare for the upcoming Youth Basketball League (YBL) season, we’d like to shine the spotlight on C.W. Avery Family volunteer Ryan Fair. Ryan has spent multiple seasons coaching his sons, Griffin and Bohde. You can learn more about him in the Q&A below.

Q: What inspired you to become a volunteer coach?
I played basketball when I was younger and played baseball all through high school and college. Ever since I had kids, I’ve wanted to coach, and whenever my kids do something I always offer to help. I didn’t know too much about the Y prior to starting to coach here, but friends of ours had kids that had played in leagues. They said it was a great program and that they had a great time. We figured we’d give it a shot. My oldest son, Griffin, is in fifth grade now and I believe I started coaching him in first grade for YBL. Shortly after, our youngest son, Bohde, got involved with the Junior YBL program and I started coaching him as well.

Q: What makes Y programs so special?
There’s a strong sense of community and connection to the people that run the programs. I actually went to high school with Sports Director Maria Freeh and it was cool to reconnect coming into this league. She and Sports Manager Miles Turner are always available, approachable, and helpful.

Q: What kind of support do YMCA coaches receive during the season?
The way the Y communicates and schedules practices using the Team Sideline App removes the hassle of most of the things people don’t like about coaching. They take care of that stuff so that coaches can just focus on coaching the kids. And even if we’re shorthanded, the staff is always there to help out. This is definitely the most hands-on involvement I’ve seen from staff in any organization I’ve been involved with.

Q: What are your favorite aspects of being a volunteer coach for the Y?
I ultimately do it for the kids. To see them be successful is the best part of doing this. At the younger ages, we know that there can be a discrepancy in experience, so it’s a good feeling to see how much kids who might not have played very much before progress as athletes, and see teams become more cohesive through friendships and hard work. It’s a great experience and probably the best experience I’ve had coaching sports. 

We are so proud to have Ryan as a volunteer and thank him for his efforts to support youth development in our community. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer basketball coach this winter, you can sign up by clicking here.

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United Way