Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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C.W. Avery Family YMCA and Edward-Elmhurst Health Announce New Health and Wellness Partnership

Earlier this summer the C.W. Avery Family YMCA and Edward-Elmhurst Health announced the formation of a new partnership to enhance the health and wellness of C.W. Avery Family YMCA members and residents living in Plainfield and the surrounding communities.

The combined vision and resources of Edward-Elmhurst Health and the C.W. Avery Family YMCA now offer enhanced health and wellness programming to the community, including:

  • An on-site physical therapy clinic run by Edward-Elmhurst Health
  • Opportunities for health education and screenings
  • Shared wellness, nutrition, weight management, and senior wellness offerings
  • Expanded healthcare offerings for the Plainfield area

“We want to keep our communities healthy in every way possible, and this exciting partnership with the C.W. Avery Family YMCA is the perfect opportunity to make our healthcare and wellness programs even more accessible,” said Mary Lou Mastro, CEO, South Region, NorthShore—Edward-Elmhurst Health. “We’re committed to community-connected care and invested in the wellness of our communities.”

Edward-Elmhurst Health’s new 2,000-square-foot physical therapy clinic at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA opened on July 11 and is now open to the public and YMCA members on weekdays, Monday through Friday.

Hours are available by appointment during the following times:

Mondays and Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

To schedule an appointment for physical therapy at this location, please call (630) 527-3375 or click here.

“We are very excited to welcome Edward-Elmhurst Health to the C.W. Avery Family YMCA,” said Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair. “Through this unique collaboration, we will work together to introduce innovative and impactful health and wellness initiatives for residents of all ages living in Plainfield and the surrounding areas.”

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Growing Stronger Together: Bill Turton and Maraline Mattke’s Y Story

At the Y, we know that having a strong support system can make a big difference when you are trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For the husband and wife team of Bill Turton and Maraline Mattke, joint personal training sessions at the Galowich Family YMCA have proven to be a crucial part of their health and wellness journeys.

Bill, a Y member for more than 45 years, says personal training has helped him navigate the challenges of Parkinson’s disease. While Maraline, who joined the Y shortly after the couple got married in 2003, is seeing the benefits of personal training following multiple knee replacement surgeries and the removal of a brain tumor. 

“The important thing about dealing with Parkinson’s is that you aren’t necessarily looking to increase skills as much as you are focusing on not losing skills. That’s why it’s important to work on maintaining balance as much as I work on increasing strength,” Bill said. 

“I’m trying to get back into shape, address fatigue, and improve balance. Personal training has done so much to improve my balance. I’m able to do so many things better like work in my garden,” Maraline said.

Both Bill and Maraline said a key reason why they have stuck with personal training is the comfortable atmosphere created by Membership and Wellness Director Alissa Koenig.

“I had personal trainers two or three times before and didn’t really connect with them. With Alissa, the connection was immediate. She listens, she’s flexible to your needs, and she’s creative. I’ve been able to work muscle groups in five or six different ways so it doesn’t become boring or repetitive,” Bill said. 

“Her enthusiasm and encouragement is unequaled by anyone. She inspires us,” Maraline said.

Alissa said she enjoys the energy Bill and Maraline bring to not only their personal training sessions, but the overall Y community.

“They have built relationships with other members who are in the fitness center because they have common goals. It is uplifting to hear everyone encouraging each other,” Alissa said. 

In addition to the health and wellness department, Bill said he appreciates the welcoming nature of the staff team at the Galowich Family YMCA.

“The staff at the Y has been nothing but tremendous during my time here. Whether it’s full-time staff, lifeguards, or custodians, everyone goes out of their way to be helpful,” he said. 

Maraline also noted that working out at the Y brings support beyond physical activity.

“I was a social worker for 42 years, working with hospitals in the community. Being at the Y has been a release and has helped in many ways, especially for my own mental health, because coming to workout here has prevented burn out,” she said.

Moving forward, Bill and Maraline said that reaching their weight loss goals is the next step in their collective Y journey.

“It’s more fun doing this together,” Bill said.

The Y would like to thank Bill and Maraline for sharing their Y story. To learn more about personal training at the Y, please click here.

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Connecting With Community: Mike Lennon’s Y Story

At the Y, we are not only focused on helping our members find their path to a healthy lifestyle, we look to strengthen their connections to the greater Y community. These principles are exemplified by Morris Community YMCA member Mike Lennon.

Mike, a former educator and avid runner, will be raising money for the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund by competing in the Christmas in July Half-Marathon and 5K in Elk Grove on July 9. Mike said he gained inspiration from the Y’s Send a Kid to Camp Campaign, with his efforts fusing all aspects of the Y’s mission to support healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility.

“I taught elementary school P.E. in California and helping kids grow, overcoming any obstacle, has always been a passion of mine,” he said. “One of the things I really like about the Y’s approach to serving the community is that nobody is turned away due to the inability to pay, and I want to help any way I can.”

Mike, 75, frequented the downtown Joliet Y in his youth and moved back to Illinois from California eight years ago. He says that he feels a strong connection to the Y because it provides so much more than simply a place to work out, it builds character and strengthens families in our community.  

“I’ve had the chance to go to other gyms and it’s just not the same as the culture here. The Y is very community centered. It’s a really positive environment, and it encourages you to grow and develop. You feel that when you’re here,” he said.

Mike also recounted the support the Y was able to provide him after battling an array of health problems last year, including a bout with COVID, a compression fracture in his back, and blood clots. 

“I was in and out of the hospital, couldn’t work out, and was down to 150 pounds at one point. I felt like I was melting,” he said. “I came back to the Y and did six sessions of personal training. I realized I couldn’t let my routine slip. My goal is to live life strong and now I feel so much better.”

Mike plans to do most of his training for the upcoming half-marathon at the Y and, though two knee replacements and a new right hip have shifted his focus toward walking his races, raising awareness for a good cause has motivated him to ramp up his workout regiment.

“The Y is really proactive with programs and meeting the needs of families, individuals and the community as a whole, but that also means we have to fund the financial assistance program. Hopefully we can make a big impact,” he said.

On behalf of the Y, we wish Mike the best of luck in his upcoming race and look forward to sharing updates of his training throughout the coming weeks on our social media pages. 

And, you can pledge your support for Mike’s fundraiser today! Your gift, which will benefit kids at the Y, can be made through Facebook or by donating to the Y online. When making your donation on our giving portal, use the following steps: 

1. Select ‘Dedicate this donation’
2. Select ‘In Honor of’ and type ‘Mike’s Run for Y Kids’

To learn more about the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, click here. We thank you for your support as we look to support bright futures!

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Morris Community YMCA Partnering with Alpine Coffee Bar for ‘Cardio, Coffee and Conversations’ Events

The Morris Community YMCA is excited to partner with Alpine Coffee Bar for a fun fitness program and social hour. Join us for a high-energy group fitness class, and then stick around for some coffee and conversation!

Open to the community, ages 16 and up.

Event Schedule

Wednesday, June 22

Hip Hop Fit with Stacey
5 p.m.

Tuesday, July 12

Cardio Interval with Tifanie
5 p.m.

Saturday, August 20

Pound with Crystal
8 a.m.

Location:

Alpine Coffee Bar

312 Liberty Street

Morris, IL 60450

Cost: $10 – Includes class fee and a ticket for a 16 ounce hot or cold coffee. (Participants can elect to upgrade beverage selection for a nominal fee.)

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required and spots are limited. Register online or call the Y at 815-513-8080 to learn more.

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Celebrate National Senior Health and Fitness Day at the Galowich Family YMCA

National Senior Health and Fitness Day is Wednesday, May 25 and to celebrate the Galowich Family YMCA invites active older adults to explore various options of physical activity available at the Y. Stop by any of our fun activities and classes including:

Swimnastics with Amy
8-8:45 a.m.
This fun, high energy class promotes flexibility, improved circulation, muscle toning and cardiovascular conditioning.

Interval Strength Training with Janet
9:15-10 a.m. 
This consists of building strength, muscle and endurance.

Zumba with Janet
10:15-11 a.m.
This class fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-following moves!

ATI Physical Therapy 
12:30-1 p.m.
ATI will present age related exercises to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. Discussion will feature specific exercises for fall prevention as well as hand exercises to combat joint pain.

Cardio Interval with Alissa
5-5:45 p.m.
This class incorporates intervals of cardio endurance and muscle conditioning. Great for all fitness levels!

Yoga with Allene
6-6:45 p.m.
This is a workout for your body and mind including poses followed by stretching and relaxation.

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Discover Your Potential: George Miller’s Story

At the Y, we take pride in supporting our members as they look to tackle new challenges and strive to achieve their goals. For Morris Community YMCA member George Miller, completing a 64 kilometer bike race was a rewarding experience made possible in part because of exercising at the Y.

Miller competed in the Rough Road 100 Spring Classic Gravel Race earlier this month, finishing with a time of four hours, six minutes. He was one of just three competitors over the age of 70 to complete the course.

“I have been training since January,” George said. “I worked with (Health and Wellness Director) Ro Petersen during some personal training sessions and I was alternating between that, spin classes, and my own cycle training.”

George had been a Y member in the past and was inspired to join again after retiring.   

“I realized I really hadn’t done anything for six months. I needed to get moving, so I came here. I’ve also done senior fitness classes and gone on walks with Fab 50 walkers,” he said.

George had previous cycling experience, but he said he took a more serious approach as he prepared for the race. 

“I used to have a 10 speed racer, but once I saw what the route entailed it was clear my 40-year-old bike wouldn’t hold up. I went out and bought a new bike with some extra gears and wider tires,” he said.

Morris Community YMCA member George Miller completed a 64K bike race earlier this month.

Rainy and windy weather conditions added to the challenge.

“Every time we would head east or south you were going right into the wind. It was a long race so the key was to not overextend myself at the beginning. Just take your time and keep pedaling is what I told myself. It was a matter of sticking to it. The other riders were also encouraging,” he said.

George said his Y spin instructor Sheila was at the starting line to see him off and that Ro was one of the first people to call after he completed the race. He plans to shift his focus toward running 5Ks, but is looking forward to more bike rides in the months ahead.

“I’m definitely going to be doing some more biking. There are a few other road trips and programs I’m interested in. I may also do this ride again but in the summer when the weather is nice and I can enjoy it a little bit more,” he said.

Although he’s not quite sure where the road will take him, George knows for sure that the Y will continue to play a key role in his training.

“I’m usually in here four days a week. I just love the companionship. It’s really great to be around people,” George said.

We congratulate George on his successful race and thank him for his continued support of the Y.

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