C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is proud to announce four winners for our 2022 Holiday Card Design Contest. These designs were selected from hundreds submitted to our branches and will be featured on the Y’s 2022 Holiday Cards. Thank you to all who participated! You can see the winning designs below.
All year long, YMCA gift cards are a great way to tell friends and family you care about their health and well-being. This holiday season, treat yourself or someone you love with a Y gift certificate, good for a wide variety of programs to help get your new year started off right.
Bonus coupons can be used towards YMCA memberships or programs and are valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location.
To purchase a gift card, or to learn more, please visit the membership desk of your local Y branch.
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Teen Achievers program is excited to host a free workshop for area students on Saturday, January 28.
Free and open to the community, the Y’s ‘I Have a Dream, What’s Next’ workshop will provide area participants with important resources they can use to prepare for life.
Guest speakers will include representatives from:
-Joliet Junior College
-Contractors Association of Will and Grundy Counties
-Will County Workforce Development
-Wilco Career Center
In addition to listening to engaging guest speakers, students will have the opportunity to learn more about union trade apprenticeship programs and tuition reimbursement programs.
Refreshments will also be served.
Location:
Joliet Junior College, Room U-1024
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431
To learn more about the YMCA’s Teen Achievers program click here or contact:
Stephen Franklin
Teen REACH and Teen Achievers Director
[email protected]
(815) 726-3939, ext. 315
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. By providing a safe place for children to keep their mind and body active while learning social skills and positive values, YMCA Kid Zone offers an enriching experience for the students and families we serve. These efforts are designed to support parents like Gina at Wood View Elementary School in Valley View School District 365U.
Gina and her husband Joseph have three kids in the YMCA’s Kid Zone program at Wood View Elementary: Bobby (11 years old), Emory (7 years old) and Theo (6 years old), each with their own unique and impactful experiences.
For Bobby, Gina noted that the Y has been particularly responsive to his special emotional needs.
“If the Y hadn’t been able to accommodate Bobby that would have been difficult to navigate. From the get-go, (Childcare Director) Sarah Porzel and the Y staff have been amazing. They have worked very hard to put any worries we had at ease,” Gina said.
Porzel credits the training YMCA Kid Zone staff have received for the high quality of childcare afforded to area families every day.
“We have worked with Valley View School District 365U to provide comprehensive training to our counselors and it has allowed them to be responsive to a wide range of situations with our students,” Porzel said.
Gina said that Kid Zone has also facilitated important social interaction for Theo, who began Kindergarten this fall.
“For him to be able to play together with other kids was very important. Kid Zone really gives kids another structured setting to interact with their peers and that has meant the most to us,” she said.
Providing students an opportunity to explore their personal interests is another important aspect of Kid Zone programming, something Gina has noticed with Emory.
“My daughter is very artsy and I know the Y offers regular craft time and projects, which has been great,” Gina said.
Overall, Gina said the YMCA Kid Zone experience has gone above and beyond to help her children thrive.
“From the moment the staff greet the kids, the level of engagement and structure is noticeable. We couldn’t be more grateful for YMCA Kid Zone,” Gina said.
If you are interested in registering for Kid Zone during the second semester of the 2022-23 school year, visit the program homepage by clicking here.
Ho, Ho, Ho! This December, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has a series of festive, Christmas-themed activities planned for you and your family. Come ready to spread joy and cheer and join us in a winter wonderland of fun! All events are free and open to the community. Registration is required.
C.W. Avery Family YMCA – Evening with Santa
Date: Friday, December 9
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
Families are invited to kick off the Christmas season by enjoying Holiday Fun at the YMCA! There will be Christmas crafts, games, story time, a hot chocolate bar, bounce houses and an opportunity to get a photo with Santa!
The Y will also offer a special sensory friendly session of our Evening with Santa event from 5-6 p.m. This session will provide opportunities for children to meet Santa and do arts/crafts/games in a limited crowd noise setting. PLEASE NOTE: Space is limited.
Morris Community YMCA – Holiday Fun at the YMCA
Date: Thursday, December 15
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Galowich Family YMCA – Santa’s Workshop at the YMCA
Date: Friday, December 16
Time: 5-8 p.m.
Santa Claus is coming to town and making a special stop at the Galowich Family YMCA! The Y is excited to partner with the Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet for some family fun! Enjoy making reindeer food, interacting with Santa, ornament decorating, and more. This event is free and open to the community.
PLEASE NOTE: Pre-registration for one of our three event sessions is required. Space is limited.
5-6 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY
6-7 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY
7-8 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY
