Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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YMCA Receives $10,000 Grant From Midland States Bank

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Midland States Bank presented the Greater Joliet Area YMCA with a grant of ten thousand dollars in support of the Y’s Teen Achievers program today. Senior Vice President of Banking Dan Stevenson was on hand to present the check to members of the Y’s leadership team, Jim Watts, Maurice Fears and Julie Wilkinson. Jeff Riley and Karla Guseman of Joliet Township High School—where the program is based—and special advisor Larry Weirs were also in attendance.

The gift will directly benefit Teen Achievers, a grant-based program that guides students on their path to graduating high school, attending college and achieving career goals. The rapidly growing program currently serves 130 students in the Joliet area—the most in program history. This spring, an estimated 40 students will embark on an annual out-of-state college road trip that gives students the opportunity to visit several esteemed universities.

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Morris Community YMCA Announces Land Donation

purplewhitelogoThe Morris Community YMCA announced today the donation of a 12-acre parcel of land from the families who own and operate “D” Construction, Inc. Located just west of White Oak Elementary School on DuPont Avenue, the site will be the future home of Grundy County’s first full-facility YMCA.

Surrounded by property that is planned for residential development, the donated land is located adjacent to the existing baseball and softball fields and park land owned by the City of Morris. Its close proximity to the school and area residential neighborhoods makes the site an ideal location for a future YMCA facility.

“Like so many Grundy County residents, we are anxious to see a full-facility YMCA in our community,” said a spokesperson for the donor families. “We are very proud to donate this land knowing what a wonderful asset the YMCA will be for our community for generations to come.”

A mainstay in the Morris community for the last decade, the Morris Community YMCA has been working collaboratively with Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers to enhance the health and wellness of Grundy County residents since opening its temporary facility in January 2015 in downtown Morris. Together, the Y and the Hospital have provided Grundy County residents with access to unparalleled health and wellness programs and a wide variety of programming in the newly renovated facility.

Under the leadership of its volunteer advisory council, the YMCA has begun to widen its footprint in Grundy County by introducing the types of programs and services that a full-facility YMCA would offer to the community in the future.

“We are very grateful to the residents and business owners in Grundy County for welcoming the YMCA into the fabric of the community with open arms,” said Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO James Watts. “This generous land donation, paired with the enthusiasm and dedication shown by our volunteers, donors and community partners, brings us one step closer to making a full-facility YMCA in Grundy County a reality,” added Watts.

The YMCA’s first physical footprint in Grundy County was made possible through a generous land donation in 2010 from Ron Evenson and Mark Jorstad. This 15-acre parcel of land is located west of Morris on U.S. Route 6. Speaking on behalf of his family and Mark Jorstad, it is evident that Evenson’s enthusiasm for the project hasn’t wavered.

“We are happy that our land donation was instrumental in introducing the YMCA and its impactful programs and services to the Morris and Grundy County communities,” said Ron Evenson. “We applaud this generous donation and agree that building a YMCA adjacent to one of our elementary schools and near the center of our community will serve as an ideal location for this future community treasure,” added Evenson.

As one of the nation’s leading nonprofit charities, the YMCA is committed to strengthening local communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. A branch of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA, the Morris Community YMCA brings families closer together, encourages good health, and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. Through its financial assistance and scholarship program, the YMCA works to fulfill its mission of ensuring that its programs are available to everyone and no one is turned away due to the inability to pay.

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Joliet YMCA Named Top 100 Workplace by Chicago Tribune

twp_top100_chicago_2016_awThe Greater Joliet Area YMCA has been awarded a 2016 Top Workplaces honor by the Chicago Tribune. A two-time Top 100 Workplace honoree, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has been serving families in Will, Grundy and Kendall Counties for more than 85 years.

The Top Workplaces lists are based solely on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by WorkplaceDynamics, LLC, a leading research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement. Several aspects of workplace culture were measured, including alignment, execution and connection, just to name a few.

“The Top Workplaces award is not a popularity contest. And oftentimes, people assume it’s all about fancy perks and benefits,” says Doug Claffey, CEO of WorkplaceDynamics. “But to be a Top Workplace, organizations must meet our strict standards for organizational health. And who better to ask about work life than the people who live the culture every day—the employees. Time and time again, our research has proven that what’s most important to them is a strong belief in where the organization is headed, how it’s going to get there, and the feeling that everyone is in it together,” Claffey added. “Without this sense of connection, an organization doesn’t have a shot at being named a Top Workplace.”

“Being named a Top Workplace for the second consecutive year is truly a wonderful honor for our YMCA,” said President and CEO Jim Watts. “Our staff team is our greatest asset, and I am honored to work alongside them each and every day. They feel a passion to serve and set out each day to make a difference in the lives of our members and the people living in our community. With the support of our donors and volunteers, we have worked very hard to build a staff culture where we can have fun and get a lot done while furthering the YMCA’s mission. With this team of servant leaders, the sky is the limit,” added Watts.

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits, strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. A 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has more than 400 full and part-time staff who work at four locations in Will and Grundy Counties. Driven by its mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all, the Y brings families closer together, encourages good health, and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. But, most importantly, its doors are open to everyone, regardless of age, income or background. At the Y, no one is ever turned away due to the inability to pay.

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Work Hard. Stay Determined.

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Healthy Living Corridor Now Open

To better accommodate the fitness needs of our membership base and the Joliet community, the Galowich Family YMCA opened its new Healthy Living Corridor at its Houbolt Road location on Monday, October 17.

Featuring a brand new Fitness Studio and renovated Wellness Center, this fitness hub will provide health seekers with limitless opportunities to exercise smarter and more effectively.

Fitness Studio

  • The new home to our youth and adult group exercise classes, personal training sessions and a host of new fitness classes.
  • Features a built-in speaker system, adjustable lighting, additional mirrors and a welcoming double-glass door entryway.

Wellness Center

  • Features a user-friendly layout, additional windows and mirrors, new flooring and energizing paint colors.
  • Includes new cardio and strength machines and additional free weights.
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Let Your Talents Shine

holidaycard2The Y is looking for kids to help design it’s official 2016 Holiday Card!

We know what you’re thinking. ‘Already?’ We get it. It’s a little early for a holiday contest. But think about it—great artwork requires time!

Open to Y Members, ages 6-12, our Holiday Card Design Contest is the perfect opportunity for kids to let their artistic talents shine and help spread a little cheer this upcoming holiday season.

Here’s how to enter…

1. Download an entry form and print it out. Entry forms are also available at the Y’s Front Desk.

2. Grab some crayons, markers and colored pencils and draw a picture that depicts your favorite things about the holidays and the winter season. From snowmen to Christmas trees, to candy canes and snowflakes, we can’t wait to see your original designs!

3. Complete the entry form and drop it off at the Y.

The deadline to enter is Friday, October 28. We will select our three favorite designs—one from each age group—to be featured on the Y’s holiday card. Plus, each of our winners will receive a YMCA Sweatshirt and other exciting prizes.

Ages groups: (6-7 years old), (8-9 years old) and (10-12 years old).

Download Entry Form

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