Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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C.W. Avery Family YMCA Set to Offer Friday Family Fitness Events This Fall

The C.W. Avery Family YMCA invites families to participate in a series of Family Fitness Fridays this fall! These family oriented group fitness classes will help you and your family create healthy habits and have fun together!

All classes will run 6-7 p.m. Open to ages 4 and up. Free and open to the community.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required.

Friday, September 20
Family Line Dancing
Grab your partner and show off your moves while you learn new dance routines!
REGISTER TODAY

Friday, October 18
Monster Bash
Wear your spookiest costume and enjoy a Halloween fitness experience!
REGISTER TODAY

Friday, November 15
Glow and Grow Strong
Flash your brightest neon colors and get ready for a party atmosphere!
REGISTER TODAY

Friday, December 20
Family Reindeer Games
Celebrate the season with fun health and wellness activities fit for all ages!
REGISTER TODAY

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YMCA Staff Spotlight: Joe Miraglia’s Story

The YMCA community encompasses a wide range of amazing people with a passion for public service, including many veterans who have served in the armed forces. Among this group of veterans is Y staff member Joe Miraglia – a.k.a. ‘Mr. Joe’ – who had the opportunity to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. earlier this summer.

“It was such a whirlwind. Time flew by so fast. The day started at four in the morning and we had 114 veterans on the trip,” he said.

Joe, a veteran of the United States Air Force, said that the experience covered an array of monuments and memorials.

“We started with the World War II Memorial and then we stopped by the Vietnam Memorial. We also got a tour of the National Air and Space Museum,” he said. “The support staff during the flight and trip were amazing.”

And when Joe returned home, a pleasant surprise was waiting for him at the airport. 

“There were hundreds of people in the crowd, and as I was walking through to the end of the line, there were all my Y people. I was shocked to see so many,” he said. 

A group of nearly two dozen YMCA members and staff had gathered to welcome Joe back to Illinois. 

“Joe has been a Y member for more than 15 years and, in addition to being one of our most dedicated Fab 50 participants, he has also made a positive impact as a member of our youth and family staff team since 2021,” Director of Branch Operations Lisa Behounek said. “We wanted to show our appreciation for his service and help make the day a true celebration.”

Joe said he is excited to continue his work as a birthday party attendant, participate in YMCA water aerobics classes, and stay connected with the other members of the Fab 50 social group. 

“I have a lot of fun at the Y and over the years I’ve made a lot of friends. Everybody is so helpful and friendly,” he said.

On behalf of the Y, we’d like to thank Joe for his service to our country. We are so grateful to have him as a member of our YMCA family!

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C.W. Avery Family YMCA Welcomes Community for Renovated Youth and Family Space Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

On Wednesday, September 4, the C.W. Avery Family YMCA was proud to welcome the community to a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the renovation of its Kids Corner Supervised Playroom, Supervised Activity Center, and Program Room.

Message of Thanks

The event began with opening remarks from Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce (PSACC) Executive Director Tasha Marsaglia, who invited Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair . Leclair then thanked everyone who helped transform the renovated space, noting that this project was made possible thanks to the advocacy and leadership of State Senator Meg Loughran Cappel and a generous grant from the State of Illinois. This incredible support provided the Y with the opportunity to create colorful, welcoming, and engaging youth programming spaces for children and families in our community.

Making an Impact

Leclair then introduced YMCA Director of Branch & Program Operations and C.W. Avery Family YMCA Executive Director Lisa Behounek, who shared more about how the newly renovated spaces will benefit kids in our community.  

Renovations include:

Kids Corner Playroom (Open to children ages 6 months – 7 years old)
New furniture, toys for kids of all ages, fresh paint, welcoming graphics, and a new play structure.

Activity Center (Open to children ages 7 and up)
New furniture, wall graphics, computers, gaming systems, Infinity gaming tables, a TV, and expanded arts and craft stations.

Program Room (Utilized for Fab 50 Events, Community Meetings, and Day Out of School and Summer Camp activities)
Fresh paint with new kitchen equipment and cabinetry installed.

LEARN, GROW, THRIVE

Behounek then welcomed State Senator Cappel to speak about her support of the Y’s mission. Cappel said she was proud to play a role in the project and expressed gratitude for the Y’s impact in the community. 

C.W. Avery Family YMCA Advisory Council Chairman Ryan Peterson then presented Senator Cappel with a special gift made by children in the YMCA’s Pint-Size Pupils preschool program. 

The event concluded with members of the Avery Advisory Council, PSACC, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board of Directors, and YMCA staff team joining together to cut the ribbon and formally celebrate the grand opening of the renovated spaces.

We welcome members to utilize these renovated spaces during their next visit to the Y! 

Kids Corner Hours
Monday-Friday: 8:45 a.m.-12 p.m., 4:30-8 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Available to Facility Members only. For safety and security reasons, we ask that members present a membership card for themselves and their child(ren) when they are checking into Kids Corner. No reservations are required.

Supervised Activity Center Hours
Monday-Friday: 3:15-8 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

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YMCA September Personal Training Sale

We invite you to kickstart your fitness journey by taking advantage of our September Personal Training Sale. Throughout the month if you buy four sessions, you get one free!

You can find information about personal trainers at your local Y branch below.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Galowich Family YMCA
Morris Community YMCA

Register for sessions by selecting a branch below.

One-on-One Personal Training
Avery
Galowich
Morris

Group of Two Personal Training 
Avery
Galowich
Morris

Offer good through September 30, 2024. Valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location. Cannot be combined with any other offers.  Visit your local branch for more details.

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Endless Possibilities: Discover the Joy of Aquatics Movement with the YMCA’s New Adaptive Water Fitness Program

Dive into a world of possibilities with the Y’s Adaptive Water Fitness program, where every splash counts and every stroke is a step towards confidence, independence, and a healthier lifestyle. This new water fitness program is designed for individuals of all abilities, ages 13 and up, who may benefit from an alternative form of movement.

The Y’s Adaptive Water Fitness program is open to YMCA Facility Members and the community, so we encourage you to invite your friends and family to join along. Registration is required.

Together, let’s make a splash and unlock new opportunities in the water!

Dates:

Sunday, September 15
Sunday, October 13
Sunday, November 10

Time:
11-11:30 a.m.

* Families are welcome to extend their visit at the Y and participate in Open Swim, which will begin in the Family Pool at noon.

Cost:
YMCA Facility Member Families: Free
Community Member Families: $10 Per Family

REGISTER TODAY

If you have any questions please contact Cindy Moss at (815) 267-8600, ext. 228 or by email at [email protected].

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My Y Rewards Special September Earnings Event

Fall is a season of change and now is the perfect time to rejuvenate your health and wellness routine with a little inspiration from the YMCA! Our special My Y Rewards September Earnings Event will help you build healthy habits and stay focused on achieving your fitness goals!

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facility Members enrolled in the My Y Rewards program will receive 100 bonus rewards points if they check in at the Y at least 15 times in the month of September.

Learn how to enroll by clicking below.

ENROLL TODAY

Upon enrolling in the My Y Rewards Program, you’ll also 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.

If you should have any questions or any feedback on the My Y Rewards Program, please be sure to stop by the Membership Desk during your next visit or email [email protected].

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