Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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ONEOK Donates $25,000 to Community Grows Here Capital Campaign

The Morris Hospital YMCA is the first ever full-service YMCA offered in Grundy County and represents the largest fundraising effort in county history. This project would not have been possible without the incredible support of local businesses like ONEOK, Inc., which provided a generous $25,000 gift to the Community Grows Here Capital Campaign.

“We are so grateful for ONEOK’s donation, which has helped make our dream a reality,” Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Business Development Officer Missy Durkin said. “Every day, we are making a positive impact on the lives of the individuals and families that walk through the doors of the Y, doors that would not exist without the amazing contributions of our donors.”

The 60,000-square-foot facility, which opened in December, is now home to more than 6,000 facility members with expanded program offerings in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Features also include: 

  • An aquatics center featuring an eight-lane lap pool
  • An aquatics viewing area
  • A state-of-the-art wellness center
  • A gymnasium
  • Group exercise studios
  • A cycling room
  • A functional training area
  • Multi-purpose rooms
  • Engaging youth play spaces
  • A healthy eating kitchen
  • Gathering and meeting spaces
  • Pickleball courts
  • Indoor and outdoor walking tracks
  • Outdoor fields
  • An outdoor playground

For more information about the Morris Hospital YMCA, click here. To learn more about the Community Grows Here Capital Campaign, please contact Chief Development Officer Missy Durkin at [email protected]. 

Pictured above (left to right): ONEOK Illinois Area Operations Manager Don McCormick, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Business Development Officer Missy Durkin, ONEOK Administrative Services Supervisor Barb Sorensen, ONEOK Community Relations Coordinator Heather Plum, and Morris Hospital YMCA Executive Director Jamie Heitman.

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Receives $15,000 Donation from NorthPoint Foundation

Every day the Greater Joliet Area YMCA affirms its commitment to making a positive impact in the community. Y programs open opportunities to all generations, ensuring that every individual feels a sense of belonging. And as a non-profit, community-based organization, the YMCA relies on the generosity of its members and the support of charitable giving to offer these services and programs for children, adults and families living in our community.

That is why the YMCA would like to thank the NorthPoint Foundation, which recently provided a $15,000 donation in support of the YMCA Mission Strong Fund.

“Fulfilling the Y mission is not possible without the kindness of organizations like the NorthPoint Foundation,” said Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Executive Officer Katy Leclair. “We are so proud to have NorthPoint as a strong advocate for YMCA initiatives, and we are inspired by their dedication to our community. This gift will make a significant impact on the lives of the children and families we serve, helping to ensure that nobody is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay,” added Leclair.

To learn more about the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, please click here. To show your support by making a donation, please click here. 

Pictured in top photo: (L-R) NorthPoint Development Compliance Manager Katie Gonzales, C.W. Avery Family YMCA Executive Director Erin Lightbody, NorthPoint Development Manager Zack Adkins, NorthPoint Development Manager Joe Franek, NorthPoint Regional Vice President Christian Evangelista, NorthPoint Development Manager Joe Garb, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Mission Advancement Director Donnie Chestnutt.

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Where the Fun Never Ends: Registration for Summer Day Camp Opens for Facility Members on March 8

At the Y, we provide safe, affordable, and fun summer day camps for youth and teens in grades K-8. Kids have the opportunity to explore nature, find new talents, try new activities, gain independence, and make lasting friendships and unforgettable memories.

Daily activities include:

-Teambuilding
-Arts and Crafts
-Outdoor Exploration
-STEAM Activities
-Reading Time
-And so much more!

REGISTER EARLY AND SAVE!

Registration opens at 8 a.m. on March 8 for YMCA Facility Members and at 8 a.m. on March 15 for Community Members. Register for summer day camp by March 24, and pay a $0 registration fee, a savings of $50!

Learn more about YMCA Summer Day Camp programs available in your area by clicking below.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA (Serving Plainfield and the surrounding communities)

C.W. Avery Family YMCA (Serving Valley View School District 365U)

Galowich Family YMCA (Serving children in Grades K-5 in Joliet and the surrounding communities)

Galowich Family YMCA Teen REACH (Serving children in Grades 6-8 in Joliet School District 86)

Morris Hospital YMCA (Serving Morris and the surrounding communities)

In addition to summer day camp, the YMCA offers a variety of sports, preschool, and specialty camps each summer.

EARLY BIRD SALE

Save $5 when you register for a summer sports or specialty camp between March 8-24. Use promo code: CAMP5OFF when registering online. Valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location. Some restrictions may apply.

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2025 YMCA Gala Silent Auction Bidding Now Open

The 2025 YMCA Gala will be held on Saturday at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. Since its inception, the Y’s signature fundraising event has raised nearly $1.8 million to benefit families within our community. Even if you won’t be attending this year’s event, you can still support the YMCA by bidding on items in our Silent Auction. Proceeds from the YMCA Gala will benefit the Mission Strong Fund, helping to ensure that no one is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay.

Bidding is Now OPEN!

To explore this year’s Silent Auction and begin placing your bids, please visit our Event Headquarters by clicking below. To register, please click the ‘Log In’ button in the upper right corner, and add your e-mail address and payment information. After completing the registration process, you will receive an email that provides you with a link to our Mobile Bidding site. Upon visiting our Mobile Bidding site, you will be able to begin bidding on items in our highly anticipated Silent Auction. Winning bidders who are not in attendance may pick up auction items at their local YMCA branch the week of February 24. Please Note: At this time, we are unable to ship items to winning bidders.

YMCA GALA HEADQUARTERS

If you are attending this year’s Gala, you should have already received an email with a registration link. For more information, please contact Volunteer and Special Events Director Dori Fugate at [email protected].

Thank you for supporting the YMCA Gala.

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YMCA Winter Weather Program Cancellations for February 12

All YMCA Branches will remain open as-scheduled on Wednesday, February 12. However, all Winter 2 Session Programs scheduled to begin after 4 p.m. this evening will be canceled.

Due to the winter weather, all YMCA Winter 2 Session Programs scheduled to begin after 4 p.m. will be canceled this evening. These programs include:

  • All Winter 2 Session Programs, including swim lessons and youth enrichment classes
  • Youth Basketball League (YBL) practices- all practice locations
  • JETS swim team practices- all practice locations

Please note: Fitness classes will run as-scheduled this evening at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA and the Morris Hospital YMCA. This evening’s 6:30 p.m. yoga class at the Galowich Family YMCA has been canceled, but all other fitness classes will run as-scheduled this evening.

We apologize for the inconvenience and encourage all members to travel safely on the roadways and stay warm.

Thank you.

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Stay Active and Have Fun: Registration for YMCA Spring Pickleball Programs is Underway!

Pickleball is a great way to stay active and participate in friendly competition. And this spring, there are plenty of ways for you to get involved in this fun sport at the YMCA! Learn more about pickleball programs available at your local Y branch below:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Doubles Pickleball League
Dates: March 27-May 13
Season will run eight weeks which includes a seeded playoff. All matches will be played at a Plainfield school on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays at either 7 p.m. or 8 p.m.

Teams will consist of two players. One team member will be responsible for registering the team.

Pickleball rackets will be provided to those who need them but participants are welcome to bring their own equipment.

League winners will receive a championship t-shirt.

Open to ages 18 and up.

Cost: $150 per team (if registering team member is a Facility Member), $225 per team for Community Members

REGISTER TODAY

Endeavor Health Seminar: Stay Strong on the Court – Shoulder Health Tips for Pickleball Players
Date and Time: Wednesday, March 19, 12:15-1:15 p.m.
Are you a pickleball player looking to keep your game strong for years to come? Join us for an insightful session with Endeavor Health Physical Therapist Lauren Baloun, who will share expert tips on keeping your shoulders injury-free with essential exercises, warm-up and cool-down strategies, and guidance on proper body mechanics. Whether you’re playing for fun or competition, this event will help you stay at your best on and off the court!

Cost: Free and open to the community.

REGISTER TODAY

Open Pickleball
Dates and Times: Mondays, 7:15-8:45 p.m.; Tuesdays, 5-9 a.m.;, Wednesdays 7 a.m.-Noon; Thursdays, 10 a.m.-Noon or 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m.-Noon

Join us for a some friendly competition and exercise! Paddles are available but participants are welcome to bring their own equipment.
PLEASE NOTE: Court availability is subject to change.

Cost: Free for Facility Members. Registration is not required.

Morris Hospital YMCA

Doubles Pickleball League
Dates: March 10-May 9
Season will run eight weeks which includes a seeded playoff. Two matches will be played weekly. All matches will be played at the Morris Hospital YMCA on Mondays and/or Fridays starting at 5:30 p.m.

Men’s, women’s, and mixed leagues are available. Teams will consist of two players. Both team members must register.

Pickleball rackets will be provided to those who need them but participants are welcome to bring their own equipment.

League winners will receive a championship t-shirt.

Cost: $150 for Facility Members, $225 for Community Members

REGISTER TODAY

Pickleball Beginner Classes
Dates: Mondays, 4-5 p.m. or Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m.
This 5-week class that will explain the rules of pickleball and help participants work on skills that include serving, volleying, positioning on the court, etc. Have some fun and burn some calories at the same time! No classes will be held the week of March 24 during spring break.

Cost: $70 for Facility Members, $140 for Community Members

REGISTER TODAY

Galowich Family YMCA

Open Pickleball
Date and Time: Tuesdays, 10:15-11:45 a.m. or 6-7:30 p.m.; Fridays, 10:15-1145 a.m.

Join us for a some friendly competition and exercise! Paddles are available but participants are welcome to bring their own equipment.

Cost: Free for Facility Members, $5 for Community Members

REGISTER TODAY

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