Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

You are here: Home / Blog

Get to Know Audrey Cooney

Camp Counselor at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA

audreyTell us a little bit about yourself, Audrey.
I have worked for the Y for over a year now in many different roles, including Kidz Zone Counselor, K-Kidz Assistant, Kidz Korner Attendant, Birthday Party Attendant and Summer Camp Counselor.

Last year was my first year as a camp counselor, and it was so much fun and extremely rewarding. I look forward to coming to the Y every day and making the children’s summer the “best summer ever!”

What’s your favorite part of YMCA Summer Camp? 
My favorite part of camp is all of the special events we do, such as Bubble Soccer and Wheel of Wisdom. Every day at camp is fun and a new adventure, but the days we have something special are the absolute best. The kids get very excited to have their turn, and the counselors join in and have fun too!

Describe your philosophy as a camp counselor in three words.
Kids come first.

What’s a fun fact that most people don’t know about you?
This position means the world to me because I hope to become an elementary school teacher one day, and this job gives me so much insight into how kids behave and how to relate to them.

If you could travel any where on Earth, where would you go?
Thailand!

Which movie or TV show can you watch over and over again?
The Sandlot.

Pizza or tacos?
Tacos.

Beyonce or Rihanna?
Rihanna.

Cubs or Sox?
Cubs.

SHARE THIS:

A Fresh Start

ro-web
It’s never too late to hit the reset button. Ask Ro Petersen. Since adopting a new and healthy lifestyle, she has lost more than 50 percent of her body weight—dropping from 320 pounds to 155 pounds. Finding the strength to start fresh didn’t come easy. But, as Ro sees it, she had no other choice.

“I felt like I was probably going to die by the time I was 50,” said Ro, a 45-year-old teacher’s aide who lives in Morris. “And that scared me because it meant I wouldn’t see my son go to college. That’s when it all changed.”

As a result, Ro began exercising regularly. Primarily using an elliptical machine she had at home, she managed to cut 75 pounds. Eventually the elliptical stopped working, however, and Ro began exploring other options.

During the summer of 2015, she joined the Morris YMCA. More devoted than ever, she kicked her fitness routine up a notch and hasn’t looked back since. Working out at the Y is now a part of her daily life. She visits the Y five days a week, if not six, to continue her weight loss journey. Once per week, she also trains with Health and Wellness Director Ian Stewart, who has guided her along the way.

“Ro is by far one of the hardest working individuals I know, inside and outside of the gym,” Ian said. “She has embraced everything I’ve thrown her way. She does her homework.”

As it turned out, exercising was only half the battle. Not only did Ro have to commit to fitness and exercise, but she also had to smarten up about her nutrition. For Ro, that meant shaking some unhealthy eating habits.

“There are a lot of people who are addicted to alcohol. There are people, unfortunately, who are addicted to drugs. I’m addicted to food,” she said. “That feeling of ecstasy that somebody would get from drugs or alcohol—I get that from food. And it’s difficult because I can go into Jewel and get a bag of Oreos and ice cream, and it’s totally legal.”

Nevertheless, Ro overcame her old eating habits by formulating a diet and swearing to it. She learned about calorie intake; she gave up late night snacking; she swapped junk food for fruits and vegetables; and now, she is healthier than ever.

“The Y has really helped me focus. I’m really glad they’re here in Morris,” she said. “When I workout, I want to eat better. When I eat better, I want to workout. I feel amazing.”

Ro is living proof that you can make a change for the better. She’ll be the first one to tell you that it’s not easy. But she’ll also tell you that it’s absolutely worth it.

SHARE THIS:

Volunteer Week, Spotlight #4

Longtime member Mark Walker has coached baseball, soccer and basketball at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA

markwalkerYMCA: When did you first get involved with the Y?
Mark: Before I had any children, I would go to the Y to work out. As time went on and I had kids, the YMCA became a great place to get my boys involved in sports because of the many programs and classes offered there. As my boys got older, I began coaching their sports. Baseball, soccer and basketball. The camps for kids are great too.

What’s your experience been like?
The YMCA is like a home away from home. My boys and I love going there. The staff are all super friendly, and it’s a fun place to be. I’ve met many friends through my times at the Y.

Trivia About Mark

What’s your favorite thing about the Y?
The friends I’ve made. The ability to workout while the kids have fun in Kids Corner. I love coaching the boys’ sports as well.

Who’s your favorite ballplayer?
Jake Arrieta from the Cubs. I love how confident he is.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I’m an avid Star Wars action figure collector.

Which TV show can you watch over and over again?
That’s an easy one. Seinfeld!

If you could travel to any place on earth, where would you go?
Give me a beach and warm water and I’m good. I’d like to get back into scuba.

SHARE THIS:

Volunteer Week, Spotlight #3

Meet Maureen MacDonald-Stein
A longtime Y member, volunteer coach and board member

Maureen McDonald-Stein
Maureen MacDonald-Stein (lower right, wearing black) and her Youth Basketball team.

YMCA: You have a long history with the Y. Tell us about that.
Maureen: My family has been a member of the Galowich Family YMCA since 1978. I learned how to play basketball at the Y and took swimming lessons in the pool. Thirty years later, my two sons learned how to swim in the same pool.

Now I volunteer my time as a Youth Basketball coach and as a member of the Galowich Advisory Council, the Greater Joliet YMCA Metro Board and on the Greater Joliet YMCA Board Governance Committee. It gives me great pleasure to be a part of the Y’s Mission to improve the mind, body and spirit of our community.

The Y’s certainly a special place. What do you think sets it apart?
The people. The employees, volunteers and members make me feel like family. You can feel the mission at work with every interaction.

How has the Y’s mission impacted your life?
In fifth grade, my parents registered me to participate in the Youth Basketball League at the Galowich YMCA. This experience helped define the person I am today. It taught me about leadership, teamwork, work ethic and fun. It taught me about confidence and perseverance—I was the only female participant in the League. It also taught me the importance of volunteerism. Coach Pfanenstiel gave his time and talent to help a group of kids learn about the great game of basketball. I think of him every time I coach a new group of kids through the YBL Program.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I am very competitive.

Who is your favorite player on your favorite sports team?
My favorite team is always the YBL team that I am coaching at the moment. As far as my favorite players—well that’s easy. My two favorite players of all-time are my sons, Austin and Tyler.

If you could travel to any place on earth, where would you go?
I have traveled all over the world on business, so my choice is always to be at home with my family.

SHARE THIS:

Volunteer Week, Spotlight #2

Donna Jeschke, a renowned farmer from Mazon, Ill., volunteers her time as a member of the Morris YMCA Advisory Council.

dj-webYMCA: What inspired you to get involved with the Y?
Donna: As a child, I listened to my aunt talk about the fun times she had at the Joliet Y back in the 1920’s and 30’s. As an adult, I would go and watch my niece swim at the Galowich Family YMCA.

A couple years ago, a friend asked if I would serve on an advisory committee to research the possibility of building a Y program for the Grundy County community. I agreed to serve because of the varied opportunities the Y brings to children, adults and seniors. I’m very excited to help bring these opportunities to my friends and neighbors.

What’s your favorite thing about volunteering at the Y?
The excitement I see in the faces of children at the Y and the enthusiasm and the commitment of the employees and volunteers.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
As a kid, I was sure I was going to be a cowboy when I grew up 🙂

SHARE THIS:

Volunteer Week, Spotlight #1

Troy Cicero, a volunteer coach, tells his Y story

tc-webI first connected with the Y growing up in Hartford, Conn. My parents trusted me in the Y environment to go there after school, while they both worked. I learned to swim, play basketball and develop many other facets of character and sportsmanship. I loved it.

Here in Joliet, I got involved with the Y after being asked by [Smith Family YMCA Executive Director] Maurice Fears to speak at a banquet. The staff have been great to work with, so I decided to coach and sponsor my son’s Youth Basketball Team. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and actually made me wish I would have started much earlier.

I love the game of basketball and I love working with youth. I was brought to tears of joy when we beat the #1 team in the playoffs and I cried tears of sadness when we lost in the final championship game. I connect with my own youthful spirit, as well as with the journey of the youth I am privileged to teach and lead. I believe we all need a healthy balance, and vulnerability, with our intellect and emotions. I enjoy being a leader and inspiring our collective potential and responsibility to create a world of peace and love.

SHARE THIS:

Skip to content