Greater Joliet Area YMCA — Page 21 — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

Teamwork Happens Here: Celebrating a Successful 2023 Youth Basketball Season

March 29, 2023

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With the 2023 Youth Basketball League (YBL) season having drawn to a close, we’d like to send our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this winter such a memorable experience for children in our community. With the support of our volunteer coaches and our generous league sponsors, the Y was able to provide playing opportunities for more 1,200 young athletes this season.

At the Y, we know that our youth sports programs help to keep kids physically active. But, as we reflect on this wonderful season, we know that the impact the Y has young athletes reaches way beyond what happens between the lines on the basketball court. In addition to healthy physical activity, kids who play sports develop higher self-esteem, perform better in school, and work better in groups. Our YBL program teaches kids the fundamentals of the game while emphasizing the importance of teamwork. Above all, kids have a lot of fun, which was evident over the last several months on YMCA basketball courts throughout Will and Grundy Counties.

YBL BY THE NUMBERS

1,275 – Players
115 – Teams
431 – Games Played
152 – Volunteer Coaches

The Y would also like to thank all the families, players, volunteer coaches and staff members who participated across our association’s programs, as well as the sponsors who helped make this season possible:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA:
Associated Orthodontists
Floor Coverings International Plainfield
Gus P. Rousonelos
Hayes Auto & Truck Repair
Legendary Escape Rooms
Old National Bank
Turk Furniture

Galowich Family YMCA:
Antione Edwards
Associated Orthodontists
Contractors Association of Will & Grundy Counties
District 5 Councilman – Terry Morris
E-Z Auto Sales
Floor Coverings International
Fred Wells and Thomas Jones
JM3 Logistics Inc.
Krown Lux – Kiara Ford
Landscaping Experts
M&M AutoCrafts LLC
Minor – Morris F.H. Ltd
MulticultuReal – Troy Cicero
Nahrut Eci Sanitary Consulting LLC
Old National Bank
Pam Gant Sports Club
Ron Tirapelli Ford
State Farm – Howard Wright
State Farm – Jack Anderson
Transition Moving and Crating Inc.
Turk Furniture
Unidos Marketing Network – Cesar Cardenas
Vital Signs Solutions Inc.

Morris Community YMCA:
Advantage Realty – Anitra Brase
Advantage Realty – Erica Rath
Ameriprise Financial
Associated Orthodontists
Benson Insurance
Brandt & Associates, P.C.
Brandt Excavating Inc.
Brian Zabel & Associates
Busey Bank
Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby-Cindie Hunt
Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby-Lorrie Toler
Coldwell Banker REG – Dana Hathorn
Contractors Association of Will & Grundy Counties
Dairy Queen
E-Z Auto Sales
Morris Lions Club
Old National Bank
Quality Millwork
Quality Storage
R.L. Sohol General Contractor
Roth Jorstad Insurance
Turk Furniture
Wilkinson Chiropractice
Zig’s Fairway Auto Repair & Towing

We can’t wait to see everyone on the court next season!

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Staying Active For Life: Roger Powell’s Y Story

March 23, 2023

March Madness is underway! When it comes to basketball, few can match the passion of Galowich Family YMCA member Roger Powell.

Powell, who played basketball at Illinois State and was inducted into the Redbirds Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998, first became a member of the Y at the Ottawa Street location in downtown Joliet more than 50 years ago. And, to this day, he can still be found patrolling the courts in the Galowich gymnasium.

“Some of the younger guys ask me to play with them. I might not be able to go as fast, but if I get past halfcourt, they are in trouble. All I’ve got to do is get past half court and I can make my moves,” he said.

Powell, 68, said his daily routine is what keeps him feeling young and healthy.

“The early bird catches the worm, so I get up at 5:30 in the morning and I’ll get to the Y by 6,” he said. “I’ll shoot hoops and then I’ll do 500 sit-ups. Not 5, not 50, 500. I do some upper body lifting before I get on the bike for 5 or 6 miles. When I get done with that, I walk on the treadmill for 2 or 3 miles. That gets me to lunch time. I sit down in the lobby, have one or two coffees, and talk to people.”

Powell greets nearly every person who walks through the doors and his friendly demeanor shines in conversation, particularly when it comes to sports.

“You have to talk to people to connect and one way to talk to people is through sports. Everybody likes sports, whether it’s baseball, football, or basketball,” he said.

Recent talk has been focused on the NCAA Tournament and Powell’s son, Roger Jr., who serves as an assistant coach for the Gonzaga Bulldogs men’s basketball team.

“I told Roger that they were probably going to struggle early in the season, but as they would get closer to the NCAA tournament they would be a better team. That’s what has happened,” Powell Sr. said. “When they played St. Mary’s for the first time they got beat, then when they played St. Mary’s in the conference tournament they won by almost 30.”

Powell watched the Bulldogs opening weekend wins over Grand Canyon University and TCU and said that seeing his son coach is always a rewarding experience.

“I used to bring Roger to the Y when he was little. I know he works hard at everything he does,” Powell said. “I really think he’s going to get a head coaching job soon.”

And, even if a national title eludes the Bulldogs this season, Powell said nothing will stop him from coming into the Y with a positive attitude.

“I’m a dedicated man and I’m a blessed man. I’m strong and I feel good. That’s the important thing,” he said.

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Healthy Lifestyles Start Here: YMCA April Ab Challenge

March 22, 2023

April 1-30

Are you looking for a fun way to stay fit, try new exercises, and earn chances to win a free month of YMCA membership? The Y’s April Ab Challenge is for you! Here’s how it works:

– Each week during the month of April, a special abdominal workout will be posted on the YMCA’s Facebook and Instagram pages, in the YMCA On the Go App, and inside YMCA facilities.

– Members can complete the workout on their own before requesting a raffle ticket by
visiting the Membership Desk.

-Members can earn a maximum of 4 raffle tickets during the challenge.

-Winners will be drawn on Monday, May 1. Winner receives one free month membership. One winner per branch.

THIS CHALLENGE IS FREE AND OPEN TO YMCA FACILITY MEMBERS.

To learn more, please speak to a member of the Health and Wellness team at your local Y branch.

Week 1 Workout

Pick four of the six exercises below and continue each for 45-60 seconds:

1. Push-up to plank

2. Crunch and punch

3. Reverse leg lowers

4. Hip dips

5. Seated twists (opposite elbow to knee)

6. Standing or seated bicycle twists

Week 2 Workout (Coming Soon)

Week 3 Workout (Coming Soon)

Week 4 Workout (Coming Soon)

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Introducing the My Y Rewards Program

March 21, 2023

Because we know that healthy lifestyles are best achieved by nurturing our mind, body, and spirit, well-being and fitness at the YMCA is so much more than just working out. At the Y, you’ll find countless opportunities to get moving, engage with your family, friends, and neighbors, and experience the joy of better health.

ENGAGE. EARN. REDEEM.

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facility Members, ages 16 and up, are invited to enroll in the My Y Rewards Program today:

Visit our Rewards Headquarters and click “Join Program.”
Scroll down to “Don’t have an account?” and click “JOIN.”
Enter your email address and click “Sign Up.” Please be sure to use the same email that’s tied to your YMCA membership account in order to earn points.
Check your email for a confirmation message and click “Complete Registration.”
Once you’re redirected to the My Y Rewards site, enter your first and last name, create your password, and click “Sign Up.”

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

Members can begin redeeming their rewards beginning Friday, March 24 by visiting the Membership Desk at their local branch. Please allow up to 48 hours for rewards points to be credited to your account.

LEARN MORE

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]. Additional information on the My Y Rewards Program is available here

Let the earning begin!

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Vote for the Greater Joliet Area YMCA in Old National Bank’s ‘Choose Your’ Charity Contest

March 8, 2023

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is excited to participate in this spring’s ‘Choose Your Charity’ contest held by Old National Bank, which invites the community to vote for their favorite local 501(c)3 nonprofit. Old National Bank will donate $15,000 to the top overall vote recipient and $5,000 to the top vote recipient in each of its Illinois, Northwest Indiana, Iowa and Southeast Wisconsin communities!

Participants can cast a vote at www.oldnational.com/cyc once every 24 hours. Voting is open to individuals 18 years or older (you do not need to be an Old National client to vote).

Voting begins Sunday, March 12 and will continue through Friday, March 31.

When voting select:

YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION JOLIET

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Announces Spring 2023 College Tours

March 3, 2023

To support area high school students, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA will be organizing six one-day college tours this spring to premier institutions of higher learning in Illinois. All college tours will depart from the Galowich Family YMCA, located at 749 Houbolt Road in Joliet. Participants will be asked to arrive at the Y at 8 a.m. with estimated return set for 5 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

Registration is underway and is open to the community. Students can register on a per-tour basis. Spots are limited, so don’t delay!

SPRING 2023 COLLEGE TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, March 28

Destinations: Dominican University and Loyola University

Wednesday, March 29

Destination: University of Illinois-Springfield

Thursday, March 30

Destinations: North Central College and Elmhurst University

Tuesday, April 4

Destinations: North Central College and Elmhurst University

Thursday, April 6

Destinations: University of St. Francis and Loyola University

Friday, April 7

Destination: University of Illinois-Springfield

Cost:

$30 per tour

Registration Deadline:

Registration and payment must be received by Friday, March 24.

To learn more about the YMCA’s Teen Achievers program click here or contact:

Brooke Hall
Childcare Director
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 316

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