Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Chicago Tribune Names Greater Joliet Area YMCA a Winner of the Chicago Area 2024 Top Workplaces Award

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA has been awarded a 2024 Top Workplaces honor by the Chicago Tribune. A seven-time Top Workplace honoree, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has been providing much-needed programs and services for children, families, and adults living in Will and Grundy Counties for nearly 100 years.

The annul Top Workplaces list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. This confidential survey uniquely measures the employee experience and its component themes, including employees feeling Respected & Supported, Enabled to Grow, and Empowered to Execute, just to name a few.

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

“Being recognized as a Top Workplace by the Chicago Tribune for the seventh time is truly a wonderful honor for our YMCA,” said President and CEO Katy Leclair. “Our organization is powered by the unwavering passion and commitment of our employees. They are dedicated to serving our community and growing the Y’s mission, and it is truly a privilege to work alongside this amazing team each and every day,” added Leclair.

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations, strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. A 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has more than 750 full and part-time employees who work at its three facilities and more than 50 program sites across 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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Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Village of Shorewood YMCA Scheduled for November 21

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA announced today that it will hold a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Village of Shorewood YMCA from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 21. Open to the community, this celebration will be held at the site of the future facility, which will be located at 1801 W. Jefferson Street in Shorewood.

Located along the thriving Route 52 corridor, the new nearly 60,000-square-foot YMCA, which is being built in partnership with the Village of Shorewood, will feature a wellness center, gymnasium, an eight-lane lap pool, group exercise studios, community rooms, and outdoor spaces for summer camps and youth sports programs. Upon opening, the new facility will also serve as the home for the Y’s Regional Office, which provides support and leadership to all YMCA branches and program sites in Will and Grundy Counties. It is anticipated that the new Village of Shorewood YMCA will open its doors to the community in spring 2026.

Guests attending the Groundbreaking Ceremony are encouraged to park at the Shorewood Village Hall, which is located on the north side of Jefferson Street at 1 Towne Center Boulevard. Complimentary shuttles will be available to transport guests to and from the Groundbreaking site. Community Service Officers will also be onsite assisting guests crossing the street at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Wynstone Drive.

To learn more about the Village of Shorewood YMCA, please contact Executive Director Trisha Dust at (815) 744-3939 or visit www.jolietymca.org.

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Celebrate the Holiday Season at the YMCA

Ho, Ho, Ho! This holiday season, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has a series of festive activities planned for you and your family. Come ready to spread joy and cheer and join us in a winter wonderland of fun!

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Kids’ Night Out: Friendsgiving
Date: Friday, November 22
Time: 6:30-9 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

YMCA Kids’ Night Out is the perfect way for kids to have fun with their friends on a Friday night! Join us for a variety of Thanksgiving themed activities, games, sports, movies, and arts & crafts! Pizza and drinks will also be provided.

Cost: $15 for Facility Members, $30 for Community Members

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance.

Holidays Around the World
Date: Friday, December 6
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Join us for an evening highlighting holiday traditions around the world, including traditional holiday crafts, games, letters to Santa, reindeer food, bounce houses, a hot chocolate bar, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Families can also donate an item to our Winter Clothing Drive for a chance to win a prize!

Cost: Free and open to the community. Registration is required.

Kids’ Night Out: Holiday Pajama Palooza
Date: Friday, December 13
Time: 6:30-9 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

YMCA Kids’ Night Out is the perfect way for kids to have fun with their friends on a Friday night! Join us for a variety of activities such as games, sports, movies, and arts & crafts. Pizza and drinks will also be provided. Don’t forget to wear your most festive pajamas!

Cost: $15 for Facility Members, $30 for Community Members

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance.

Family Fitness Friday: Family Reindeer Games
Friday, December 20
6-7 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

These family oriented group fitness classes will help you and your family create healthy habits and have fun together! Celebrate the season with fun health and wellness activities fit for all ages! Open to ages 4 and up.

Cost: Free and open to the community,

Noon Year’s Eve Pool Party
Tuesday, December 31
10 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Back by popular demand! Make your plans to join us as we usher in the new year with a family-friendly party in the Y’s indoor waterpark. Festivities will include open swim, music, crafts, games, refreshments, and a New Year’s ‘countdown’ at noon.

Cost: $20, Open to Facility Members only.

PLEASE NOTE: Space is limited and registration is required.

Morris Community YMCA

Kids’ Night Out: Holiday Fun
Date: Friday, December 6
Time: 5:30-8 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

YMCA Kids’ Night Out is the perfect way for kids to have fun with their friends on a Friday night! Join us for a variety of holiday themed activities, games, arts, crafts and a movie!

Cost: $15 for Facility Members, $30 for Community Members

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance.

Galowich Family YMCA

Winter Wonderland at the YMCA
Date: Friday, December 13
Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Santa Claus is coming to town and making a special stop at the Galowich Family YMCA! Enjoy making reindeer food, interacting with Santa, ornament decorating, and more.

Cost: Free and open to the community

PLEASE NOTE: Reservations are available in 30 minute time slots from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for a picture with Santa. Registration is required.

Noon Year’s Eve Pool Party
Tuesday, December 31
10 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Make your plans to join us as we usher in the new year with a family-friendly party in the lap pool. Festivities will include open swim, music, crafts, games, refreshments, and a New Year’s ‘countdown’ at noon.

Cost: $20 for Facility Members, $30 for Community Members

PLEASE NOTE: Space is limited and registration is required.

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My Y Rewards Special November Earnings Event

MY Y REWARDS SPECIAL NOVEMBER EARNINGS EVENT

Get ready to burn off those Halloween candy calories with a special bonus for My Y Rewards program participants!

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facility Members, ages 16 and up, enrolled in the My Y Rewards program will receive 100 bonus points if they attend eight group fitness classes in the month of November .

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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2025 YMCA Gala Slated for February 22

Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available

Mark your calendars and plan to attend the 2025 YMCA Gala on Saturday, February 22, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. This elegant evening, which is generously presented by Midland States Bank, will celebrate charitable giving at the YMCA by showcasing the Y’s impact in our community and the generous donors, like you, who help to make our mission come to life each and every day.

Now in its 17th year, the Gala has raised nearly $1.8 million to benefit families living in our community. Funds raised from our 2025 Gala will benefit the Y’s Mission Strong Fund, which helps to ensure that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay.

Exciting sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $100 to $15,000, with corresponding benefits are now on sale!
You can purchase a sponsorship by visiting our Event Headquarters.

Tickets for the 2025 YMCA Gala will go on sale in January.

To learn about this year’s event, please contact:

EVENT INFORMATION
Dori Fugate
Volunteer and Special Events Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 782-0502

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
Donnie Chestnutt
Mission Advancement Director
Email: dchestnutt@jolietymca.org
Phone: (815) 782-0800

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Strengthening Our Community: PINK OUT for Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Y wants to help by encouraging our community to wear pink during the week of October 21-27!

Members who wear pink to the Y will earn an entry into a raffle to win special Y swag. (Max. 7 entries.) Daily raffles will be held at each branch. 

STOP BY THE Y AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT! 

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