Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Greater Joliet YMCA Receives $100,000 Gift From Sis Schmidt Endowed Fund

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA mourned the passing of long-time Galowich member and Joliet businesswoman Mynne “Sis” Schmidt in December of last year. In 2014, Sis pledged her support for the YMCA’s mission by creating an endowed fund within the YMCA endowment. This fund was established to provide support for free swim instruction, a cause that was dear to her. Sis’s generous spirit and unwavering love for the community will now live on in perpetuity thanks to a $100,000 gift, which the YMCA recently received from Sis’s estate.

Annual earnings from the Sis Schmidt Endowed Fund will benefit the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Safety Around Water program, which has provided more than 10,000 free swim lessons to students in Joliet area schools since 2008. At the Y, no one is turned away for the inability to pay, and fulfilling that mission would not be possible without the generosity of donors like Sis Schmidt. 

We thank Sis for her incredible support of the Y over the years, and look forward to honoring her memory through our programs.

A planned gift, such as a bequest in a will, can be among the most impactful major gifts someone looking to leave a legacy at the Y will ever make. Planned giving allows donors the option of supporting the Y financially without drawing on current income. There are several options to consider including bequests, life insurance, charitable trusts and charitable annuities. These types of gifts ensure future funding for the Y, but can also provide tax benefits to the donor. Contact your local Y to learn more or call the Y’s Development Department at (815) 782-0809.

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Friends for Charitable Giving Donates $10,000 to C.W. Avery Family YMCA Kid Zone PLUS Program

As our community continues to navigate through this public health crisis, the Y remains committed to providing much-needed child care for area families. Through its commitment to youth development, the C.W. Avery Family YMCA nurtures the potential of every child through programs like Kid Zone PLUS. 

And at the Y, we believe that no one should be denied access to child care based on the inability to pay. Fulfilling this mission would not be possible without the generosity and support of local organizations like Friends for Charitable Giving.

Friends for Charitable Giving recently awarded the C.W. Avery Family YMCA with a $10,000 grant to help provide financial assistance for families in the Y’s Kid Zone PLUS program. This donation will help us continue to provide important services to those in need while fostering an environment that incorporates the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility in youth development.

For additional details regarding the Y’s Kid Zone PLUS program, click here. To learn how you can pledge your support for the Y, visit our Mission Strong Fund webpage.

Pictured above (L-R): Friends for Charitable Giving Chairman and Treasurer Ron Kazmar and his wife Kathy present a generous grant to C.W. Avery Family YMCA Before and After School Care Director Trisha Dust, Before and After School Care Manager Mimi Panagopoulos and Executive Director Lisa Behounek.

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First Midwest Bank Awards $20,000 Grant to Smith Family YMCA Youth Programs

Although the start of the school year has looked a little different for many families in our community, the Y has remained dedicated to working with our partner school districts to provide much-needed child care through our new Kid Zone PLUS program. These efforts would not be possible without the generous support provided by community organizations like First Midwest Bank.

The First Midwest Bank Charitable Foundation has awarded a $20,0000 grant for youth programs, including Kid Zone PLUS, at the Smith Family YMCA. The YMCA would like to thank First Midwest Bank Vice President and YMCA Board Member Cheri Rubocki, along with YMCA supporters Jim Roolf, Mike Kruchten, and Rob Stenzel, for their deep commitment to our mission. First Midwest Bank will also partner with Kid Zone PLUS for virtual volunteering during the school year.

The Mission Strong Fund was established to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the YMCA in the wake of our COVID-19 related closure and aid continued community service efforts after our reopening. Through its commitment to youth development, the Smith Family YMCA nurtures the potential of every child through its Kid Zone before and after school programs. This donation will help support multiple youth development initiatives, including:

  • Providing much-needed financial assistance for Kid Zone PLUS families who are experiencing hardships due to COVID-19.
  • Adapting our youth programs to incorporate lower staff-to-child ratios to meet social distancing guidelines.
  • Implementing new safety guidelines in our child care and youth enrichment programs.

To learn more about youth programs at the Y, click here.

Pictured in top photo – (L-R) Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board President Nick Macris; First Midwest Financial Network Vice President and Financial Consultant Mike Kruchten; Great Joliet Area YMCA CEO and President Jim Watts; First Midwest Bank Senior Vice President and Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board Member Cheri Rubocki; First Midwest Financial Network Vice President and Senior Financial Consultant Rob Stenzel; Smith Family YMCA Executive Director Donnie Chestnutt; Smith Family YMCA Staff Member Kiara Butler

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YMCA Offering Virtual TAYA Tuesday Workshops This Fall

The YMCA will offer a series of Teen and Young Adult Advancement (TAYA) virtual workshops this fall for area residents, ages 14-21. Free for YMCA facility members and Teen Achievers, these fun and informative sessions will cover an array of topics designed to help teens and young adults develop important life skills. Registration is also open to community members for $5. Upon registering, participants will receive a Zoom invite to join the virtual workshop. Deadline for registration is the Sunday prior to each workshop. See below for our fall schedule:

September 15: Chill Out – Stress Management 

In this workshop, you will have an opportunity to learn more about what contributes to your own stress and anxiety, while learning tips, tools, and coping skills you can apply NOW to help manage those big feelings. Come prepared to learn, build your skills, and most importantly, have fun!

October 20: Your Future Awaits – How Do I Get Into College?

Students have a variety of choices after graduation and putting a plan together is the first step toward having future success. This workshop will feature a Q&A session designed to help guide you through the college application process.

November 17: Stash Your Cash – How to Manage Your Money

Navigating the world gets much easier when you have an understanding of personal finance. This workshop will help you learn how to effectively manage a budget and provide tips for ways you can start saving for your future.

December 15: Don’t Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle – Holiday Trivia Night

Join us for some fun and games with a special holiday themed trivia night. Spread holiday cheer and test your knowledge against friends as the spirit of the season gets into full swing.

Register Here Today!

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

Erin Lightbody
Youth Development Operations Director
[email protected]
(815) 726-3939, ext. 311

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YMCA Seeking Volunteers to Join its Learning Mentor Team

As our community continues to navigate through these difficult times, the YMCA is committed to supporting local students and their families during the upcoming school year.

The YMCA is currently looking for volunteers, ages 17 and up, who would be interested in volunteering as virtual Learning Mentors (LM) this school year. LMs will assist local students in grades K-8 with Language Arts and Math school work at least one day a week. All mentoring sessions will be completed via Zoom.

All volunteers must complete a background and reference check. Zoom sessions will be recorded, and a parent must be present.

To get started or to learn more, please submit a volunteer application online or contact:

Dori Fugate
Volunteer and Community Engagement Director
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 210

Submit a Volunteer Application Today!

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YMCA Members Invited to Participate in the Y’s September Check-In Challenge

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA would like to thank our members staying with us and playing a key role in keeping our Y community safe and healthy. We are excited to extend another fun opportunity to members during the month of September. 

All YMCA members are invited to participate in our September Check-In Challenge. Anyone who checks into the YMCA 8 or more times between September 1-30 will be entered to win a YMCA thermal tote packed with our favorite Y swag, including a sweatshirt, water bottle, umbrella, and more.

Stop by and see us!

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