Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Helping You Live Better: How to Stay Healthy and Active at Home

At the Y, we are dedicated to keeping our Y community healthy and active during this closure. If you find yourself at home searching for ways to stay committed to your exercise routine, check out these easy at-home workouts:

The Basics

Staying active at home can be easy when you focus on basic exercises, including planks, push-ups, bicycles, and burpees, among others. Any activity to keep you moving is great!

Yoga

Yoga is the perfect mind-body workout that helps to improve flexibility, strength, and energy. And, during stressful times, yoga can help to soothe your worries.

HIIT

Give yourself a great high-intensity workout in the comfort of your home. HIIT exercises are an excellent way to get a fast and efficient workout.  For an excellent HIIT workout, check out this great article, that will walk you through a HIIT routine.

Virtual Fitness Classes

Online fitness classes are a great way to stay active and keep a sense of community, which is why the Greater Joliet Area YMCA is excited to offer virtual fitness classes via Facebook live. On select days throughout the week, the Y will offer different fitness classes that you can do in the comforts of your own home. Be sure to follow our Facebook pages and visit our website often for updates regarding upcoming Facebook Live events.

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facebook Pages:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Galowich Family YMCA

Morris Community YMCA

Smith Family YMCA

If you’re looking for more ideas on how to stay active at home, be sure to head over to the Y’s Pinterest page.

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Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle: YMCA Members Encouraged to Participate in Virtual Fitness Classes

Although all branches of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA will be closed through Thursday, April 30, we are still focused on providing opportunities for YMCA members to embrace healthy lifestyles. 

You may also explore options from our partners at Life Fitness, who are offering daily workouts through their Digital Coach service. Find more details here.

Locally, our health and wellness teams are also busy brainstorming ways to reach members virtually during this closure. Be sure to follow our Facebook pages and visit our website often for updates regarding upcoming Facebook Live events.

Thank you for your continued support of the Y.

Virtual Fitness Opportunities
Live with the Y

Join C.W. Avery Family YMCA Health, Wellness and Dance Director Kristen Derengowski for a series of fun and exciting fitness classes.

STRONG By Zumba
(45 Minutes) 
Click Here To Watch Replay

This class combines body weight, muscle conditioning, and plyometric movements to increase your fitness level. Movements are set to music and are at various levels of intensity, kickboxing and MMA elements are throughout the workout. See you there!

Bootcamp with Body Weight
(45 minutes)
Click Here to Watch Replay

An intense workout with various cardio and strength intervals.

Butts and Guts
(30 minutes)
Click Here to Watch Replay

A high-energy toning and sculpting class designed to target the problem areas of butt, thighs and abs. Format includes a variety of trunk focused interval exercises effective to burn fat as you lift and shape your lower body.

Kickboxing
(45 minutes)
Click Here to Watch Replay

A cardio based workout that involves a series of punches, kicks and boxing drills.

Pumped Up
(45 minutes)
Click Here to Watch Replay

Strength training exercises with light dumbbells (or household substitutes) recommended.

Hi/Lo Aerobics
(45 minutes)
Click Here to Watch Replay

Low intensity aerobic workout perfect for all age groups including seniors and kids.

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facebook Pages:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Galowich Family YMCA

Morris Community YMCA

Smith Family YMCA

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Important COVID-19 Information for YMCA Members 

As we near the end of the week, we wanted to provide you with an update concerning our YMCA’s efforts related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

As you know, our YMCA has been closely monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus as it relates to the safety and well-being of our YMCA community. While there has been a number of confirmed cases in Illinois, there have been no indications of a COVID-19 outbreak in our local communities. Regardless, we are preparing for the possibility that it may become more prevalent in our community.

To ensure we are prepared to support our YMCA community, we have been in contact with our local health department, other YMCAs, area hospitals, and local school districts. In the event this virus becomes a significant threat to our YMCA community, we will follow protocols put into place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

At this time, all Greater Joliet Area YMCA facilities remain open. However, at the advice of state health department officials and the Illinois Department of Aging, and out of an abundance of caution, the YMCA will be making adjustments to programs that serve vulnerable populations and involve large gatherings of people:

Effective Monday, March 16, the following programs will be canceled at all Greater Joliet Area YMCA locations until further notice:

  • Fab 50- Including all meetings, potlucks, outings, and group activities
  • Enhance Fitness
  • Moving for a Better Balance
  • Chair Body Works
  • Chair, Mind and Body
  • Senior Water Fitness Classes, including:
    C.W. Avery Family YMCA- Swimnastics, Aqua Nuts, Aqua Aerobics, Aqua Soothe, and Water Fitness
    Galowich Family YMCA- Swimnastics and Fab 50 Swimmers
    Smith Family YMCA- H20 and Rusty Hinges
  • Morris Hospital Senior Fitness Classes
  • Morris Hospital Prenatal Fitness Class

The YMCA is working closely with our partner school districts, and at this time, our before and after school Kid Zone programs and our Pint-Size Pupils program will run as scheduled. However, in the event local school districts close for an extended period of time for reasons related to the Coronavirus, the YMCA will NOT run Day Out of School programs at its facilities.

At the Y, we pride ourselves on providing a clean and safe environment for our members and staff. While these efforts always are important, they now take on even greater significance. Please know that our branch teams are working diligently to keep our facilities and busses clean.

It is important to remember that all of us play a role in preventing the spread of illness, and we encourage everyone in our YMCA community to practice good habits. Here are some simple things that you can do to keep yourself, your family, and fellow Y members safe and healthy:

  • Washing your hands regularly, especially after using the restroom or prior to preparing or consuming food.
  • Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or into the air. Try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your arm.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose as much as possible.
  • Stay home from work, school and the Y if you are feeling sick. Individuals should be fever free for 24 hours, without the aid of fever-reducing medication, before returning to the work, school and the Y after any illness. Staying home when sick is a critical prevention method.
  • At the recommendation of the CDC, any Y member who has traveled, or has a family member who travels, to areas experiencing widespread transmission of the coronavirus (Level 2) should refrain from coming in to the Y for 14 days upon their return home. Additionally, any Y members who have immediate family members who have been directed to quarantine by the health department should refrain from coming in to the Y for 14 days.If you believe one of these scenarios might apply to you or if you have additional questions, please contact the Executive Director at your local branch.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Remember to clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, phones, toilets, and faucets. When using equipment in the wellness center, please remember to wipe down all equipment before and after your workout.

Please know that the health and well-being of our members and staff is our utmost priority. The Y will continue to share further updates in the event that new information directly impacts our YMCA community. Because this situation is ever-changing, please watch your email, follow the Y on social media, and visit our Coronavirus Headquarters for the latest updates regarding possible program cancellations and facility closures.

In challenging times, we have the opportunity to work together to make our community stronger. Thank you for your continued support of the YMCA.

ADDITIONAL COVID-19 RESOURCES

Illinois Department of Public Health: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/

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Teamwork Happens Here: YBL By the Numbers in 2020

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Every winter the Y brings communities together to promote youth development through our Youth Basketball Leagues. We look to maximize the positive effects of athletics by emphasizing healthy competition and promoting teamwork, and we know 2020 was another great year for area basketball! With the season coming to a close, we’d like to take this opportunity to share some of the key facts and figures from this YBL season. You can take a look at these inspiring numbers below:

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:
Bill Jacobs BMW
Bill Jacobs MINI
Bill Jacobs Volkswagen
Gus P. Rousonelos
Joseph & Sons Mechanical, Inc.
Plainfield Rotary Club
Rembert Blount Property Group
Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol, LLC

Galowich Family YMCA and Smith Family YMCA:
Busey Bank
Midwest Tankermen
Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC
SCJ

Morris Community YMCA:
AG Resource Management
Animal Care Hospital
Ayers Electric Inc.
Brandt Excavating Inc.
Brian Zabel & Associates, PC
Busey Bank
Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby
Cortina, Mueller, & Frobish PC
Dairy Queen
E-Z Auto Sales
Feeney’s
First Midwest Bank
Fraternal Order of Eagles
Grundy County States Attorney
Huntley Farms
Indicon Electric
Jerrick Construction
Joe Martin CPAMST
Mack & Associates
Midwest Industrial Sales
Morris National Bank & Trust
Riverside Chiropractic
Roe Trucking
Roth Jorstad Insurance
Sky High Coaster LLC
Three Rivers Plumbing
Turtle’s
U.C. Davis-Callahan Funeral Home

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

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Join Our Team: Attend An Upcoming YMCA Employment Open House

Our talented staff team is dedicated to the Y’s mission and works tirelessly to meet the needs of the communities we serve. Join us at an upcoming Employment Open House in Joliet, Morris or Plainfield to learn how you can get involved. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Smith Family YMCA

Date: Monday, March 16
Time: 4-7 p.m.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Date: Wednesday, March 18
Time: 6-8 p.m.

Morris Community YMCA

Date: Monday, March 23
Time: 4-6 p.m.

Galowich Family YMCA

Date: Wednesday, March 25
Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Available positions vary by location and include: 
• Assistant Swim Coaches
• Aquatic Instructors
• Before and After School Care Counselors*
• Building Supervisors*
• Camp Counselors*
• Custodians
• Group Fitness Instructors*
• Kids Corner Attendants
• Lifeguards
• Membership Desk Attendants
• Personal Trainers*
• Water Fitness Instructors*

* – Indicates individuals must be 18 or older to apply

Part-time employee benefits include:
• Generous membership and program discounts
• Participation in the Y’s retirement plan (when eligibility requirements have been met)

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Let’s Work Together: Important Public Health Information from the YMCA

As you likely are aware, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to closely monitor an outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus known as COVID-19. This virus was first detected in China, and continues to expand in various locations throughout the world, including cities in the United States. It is important to note that the CDC has shared that currently the health risk to the general public from coronavirus is considered low.

The health and well-being of our members is our utmost priority.  In an effort to support you, our staff, and our communities, we have been in contact with our local health department and area hospitals, and will continue to monitor updates from the CDC and local, state and federal health departments in the coming weeks and months.

In the event this virus becomes a significant threat to our YMCA community, we will follow protocols put into place by the CDC and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). At this time, the best way to protect against coronavirus is by taking the same daily precautions one would follow to avoid getting sick.

Here are some simple things that you can do to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy:

The 3 C’s

  1. Clean: Please wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  2. Cover: Please cover your mouth with a tissue or your sleeve if you cough or sneeze.
  3. Contain: If your child is sick, please keep him/her home until he/she is free of a fever and other symptoms for at least 24 hours without the use of symptom-reducing medicines. Please follow normal absence reporting procedures to notify your child’s program site if they will not be in attendance.

With the recent increase in media coverage about the coronavirus, some children may be asking questions and sharing concerns about COVID-19.  These tips may provide a helpful starting point for discussions with your family.  We have also included some additional resources below:

ADDITIONAL COVID-19 RESOURCES

Illinois Department of Public Health: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/

World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/

At the Y, we believe in the power of community, and the importance of neighbors helping neighbors.  In challenging times, we have the opportunity to work together to make our community stronger.  We will continue to monitor and share further updates in the event that new information directly impacts our YMCA community.

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