Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Healthy Lifestyles Happen Here: Debbie Dorf’s Story

Although the Y has had to adapt its programming in recent months, we remain dedicated to supporting a lifetime of healthy living. And since reopening our doors this summer, we have been honored to welcome back passionate members like Debbie Dorf. 

Originally a member of a Y in Sycamore, Debbie has been a member of the C.W. Avery Family YMCA for over a year. She is a 12-year colon cancer survivor and said that being able to find an outlet for physical activity is an important factor in staying healthy.

“Exercise is a big deal. That’s the best medicine for me. After doing chemotherapy, I have osteoporosis. The strength training I can do is really important,” said Debbie.

She also said the variety of fitness offerings is one of the most attractive things about the Y.

“You never lose when you go to the Y. You can go to a class, use the machines in the fitness center or use the track. We have a family plus membership and I can take my grandkids swimming. It’s a really good situation for us,” she said. 

Debbie stops by the Y almost every day and is a regular in multiple Y fitness classes. 

“The thing I like the most is all the different classes. I feel like every class is something I can learn from. They have helped with my balance and coordination. It has made exercise fun,” she said. 

Debbie also credits the Y’s overall commitment to community health and safety for helping her feel comfortable using the facility after the Y’s summer reopening.

“The Y has fantastic teachers and the cleanest facility I’ve ever been in. The people at the front counter are terrific people. The Y has set really high standards and lives up to them,” she said. 

We thank Debbie for her continued support of the Y.

To learn more about group exercise classes at the Y, check out the fitness schedules of your local branch by clicking here. 

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Ignite Your Passion: Lennell Pierce Sr.’s Story

At the Y, members are always encouraged to follow their passions and maintain healthy lifestyles. For Smith Family YMCA member Lennell Pierce Sr., that passion has been basketball.

“I always had the drive to come here. As a child you come just to have fun and play. As you get older, you start realizing how important it is for your health,” Pierce said.

Pierce, who recently turned 58, is a native of Joliet and a two-time gold medalist in basketball at the Illinois Senior Olympics.

“I’m a self motivator. I’ll get up early in the morning. Sometimes I’ll play with my cousins when we get off of work. It’s all about the love of the game,” he said.

Pierce’s Y experience began while playing pickup basketball as a teenager. As the years went on, he brought all four of his children (Tiana, LeAaron, Lennell Jr. and Jarvis) to the Y to play basketball, and now he continues to practice and workout whenever he gets the chance.

“I choose the Y because it’s a family oriented atmosphere. My kids all grew up playing here,” he said. “When you come here you meet people from all walks of life and everyone is friendly.”

Pierce said he was offered a spot to play competitively for the J-Town Ballers by a friend four years ago. Since then, state titles have given him the opportunity to compete in the national finals in 2017 and again in 2019.

“I’ve gotten to meet people from all over the country, and to be blessed with that is just awesome,” Pierce said.

And whether it’s through a friendly conversation, or providing a tip to some younger players in the gym, Pierce said he still enjoys the simple everyday interactions at the Y.

“I’m a people person and when I come to the Y, I’m always guaranteed to be able to talk to people. It’s a blessing. It’s all about kindness and I love doing it,” he said.

The Y would like to thank Lennell for being a loyal Y member and congratulates him on his accomplishments.

The Y is more than just a place to work out; more than a place where families can spend time together; more than a place to learn to swim; more than a place for kids to play sports; and more than a place for seniors to stay young at heart. The Y is all those things and more. The Y is a place where you belong! If you would like to sign up for a YMCA membership, click here. 

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Supporting the Community: Amy Nowak’s Story

At the Y, we know our members have been doing some incredible work to help their communities face the difficult challenges of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Among them is C.W. Avery Family YMCA member Amy Nowak, who has crafted and donated over 300 masks to those in need.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA member Amy Nowak has crafted and donated over 300 masks for those in need over the last month.

“I knew there was a need and I know how to sew. I’m a stay-at-home mom so I didn’t have too much other work to do right now. I dug into my stash of fabric, luckily I had the right kind, and I started sewing,” Amy said.

Amy, who has been a member for nearly three years after moving to Plainfield five years ago, said that making masks has been just one outlet to try and stay engaged with the community. She and her daughters have also been taking part in some of the Y’s online programming. 

“My daughters and I have taken some of the Live with the Y classes and now my oldest really wants to meet (Health,  Wellness and Dance Director) Kristen Derengowski after seeing her on the screen. She has also been doing the Zoom calls with her Pint-Size Pupils class. They’ve been able to do things like show and tell, sing songs and have story time. She has gotten to see the kids and the teachers and she loves it,” Amy said. 

Amy noted that her daughter has also played a role in the mask-making process.

“I’ve got part of my kitchen set up as a sewing center at the moment and when my oldest saw it she really wanted to learn. She’s been helping a little bit here and there,” she said.

Amy initially sewed masks for family members but has been able to expand to area nurses and others in need with the help of some donations from those in her neighborhood. 

“Everyone needs a mask, not just healthcare workers, and since I live right across from an assisted living center I asked if they needed masks. They have 178 residents so the big thing I’m working on now is trying to make at least one for everyone there,” she said.

And though she misses being able to visit the YMCA in person, Amy said she has been able to lean on the Y connections she has developed to make the best of the current situation.

“My closest group of friends is from the Y and we’ve tried our best to stay together online and talk about what we’re doing or coordinate our workouts a little bit,” she said. “The Y is a lot more than a gym to me. It is a community and it provides so many more things than just the building itself. We can utilize the resources the Y is putting out.”

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Morris Community YMCA Celebrates 5-Year Anniversary

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On January 5, 2015, the Morris Community YMCA opened its doors on Wauponsee Street in downtown Morris. It has truly been a privilege to serve our members and the Grundy County community for the last five years.  In celebration of our five-year anniversary we are excited to announce a series of raffles to help our members ring in 2020!

To take part in our anniversary celebration, be sure to check-in at the Membership Desk when you visit the Y from January 6-10. When you check-in, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a variety of Y swag. Winners will be randomly selected each day throughout the week.

Also, be sure to keep an eye on our Facebook page throughout the week, as we will be profiling members and staff who have been along for this amazing journey every step of the way! And don’t forget to check-in on Facebook and take photos with our selfie frame and photo signs, which will be available at the Membership Desk.

On behalf of the YMCA and our partners at Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers, we would like to thank everyone involved in helping us reaching this milestone. Our efforts would not be possible without the hard work of our dedicated staff, the assistance of volunteers, the kindness of donors, and the continued support from all of our members. We look forward to celebrating this week while continuing our work in 2020 and beyond. We know that the best is yet to come!

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Building a Healthy Future: Rori Griffin’s Story


At the Y, we are dedicated to helping individuals reach their fitness goals. And for Rori Griffin, a senior at Morris High School, working out at the Y has helped her lose over 70 pounds. 

Rori said she has been a Y member for over a year but didn’t fully commit to a healthier lifestyle until this past summer when she honed in on what she wanted to do for a career.

“I’ve always wanted to be in the military or in law enforcement. In both of those fields you have to be physically fit. I was willing to make the change for myself,” Griffin said. “At first I felt I couldn’t do it but decided that I might as well try. When I tried, I got into the gym and realized how much I love it.”

Beyond the weight loss, Rori believes her overall fitness levels have improved significantly. 

“It’s not just about losing weight, it’s about learning to breathe better or stretch properly. I’ve never been a good runner and I’ve been able to challenge myself on the treadmill,” she said.

Like many who experience positive changes at the Y, Rori said the cultural environment is what sets it apart from other facilities. 

“Not many people look at the Y like it’s an average workout center. They look at it as a place where they can be in a community,” she said. “It’s family friendly and I love that feeling. Everybody here is so helpful and caring, even the people you might not know personally.“

The end result has been relishing every opportunity to stop by the Y. 

“It’s like my escape. I can turn a bad day into a good day. It boosts my mood. When I get a good workout in that’s when I feel I’m at my highest point,” she said.

Rori is undecided about her college choice but she is focused on attending a school where she can join the Reserve Officer Training Corps. 

“The next few months are going to be busy, being a senior can be stressful, but I plan to find time for myself to go to the gym and use a Y facility close to wherever I go to school,” she said. “You can never really prepare for basic training but you can try. This is going to help me.”

She feels maintaining a relationship with the Y is important because it is a community willing to help anyone succeed.    

“There have been times where I wanted to stop working out because I thought I wasn’t seeing results,” she said. “But other people saw them in me and that kept me motivated. When you walk into the Y you feel like you belong. And everybody belongs here.”

If you are interested in becoming a member, stop by your local Y or register online.

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Supporting Bright Futures: Mariah Johnson’s Story

A mainstay in the Joliet community for more than 90 years, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA brings families together, encourages good health, and fosters connections through fitness, sports, fun and shared interests. For former YMCA summer day camp staffer Mariah Johnson, the Y not only helped her build connections in the community, but also supported her goal of becoming a teacher.

From an early age, Johnson knew she wanted to make a positive impact in the lives of children.  With her mother being a Family Ministries Pastor, she always found herself surrounded by children and she loved every minute of it.  Yet the defining moment for Johnson came in eighth grade when she took an aptitude test, which is used to determine an individual’s potential to succeed at any given task or role.  And, she was surprised by her test results.

“My suggested profession was to become a teacher and I remember telling my teacher at the time that I wanted to be a mother when I was older,” Johnson explained. “But my teacher opened my mind to the possibility of being both a mother and teacher one day—which was something I had never thought about before.”

From that conversation forward, Johnson set her sights on becoming a teacher.  And, upon graduating from Minooka Community High School, Johnson was accepted into Wheaton College, where she went on to study elementary education.  While in college, Johnson knew she needed to get some experience working with children before jumping into her career. During her job search, her friend from church encouraged her to apply for a position as a summer day camp counselor at the Smith Family YMCA in Joliet.

During her interview at the Y, she knew instantly that it was a perfect fit.

“I loved that the Y was a Christian organization that instills positive values, and they provide activities for children that go beyond the mind,” Johnson said.

Johnson worked as a summer day camp counselor at the Smith Family YMCA for three consecutive years while she was in college. Although she fully enjoyed each of her three years working as a camp counselor, this year’s summer camp experience proved to be the most transformative thanks to a chance meeting with a local school district superintendent.

Last spring, just before the beginning of camp, Mariah attended an open house with Smith Family YMCA Executive Director Donnie Chestnutt for the Y’s new off-site camp at Fairmont School.  While at the open house, Chestnutt remembered that Mariah had just graduated and she was seeking a career as a teacher.  And, knowing Johnson’s passion for working with children, she introduced her to Fairmont School District’s Superintendent Diane Cepela.

From that moment, everything seemed to fall into place. Superintendent Cepela gave Johnson a tour of the school that same day, and Cepela was immediately impressed by Johnson’s ability to articulate, her composure and her demeanor.

“I could feel her character, which is a hard thing to describe, but I could tell she was a caring person and working with children was her calling,” said Cepela.

After a short tour and conversation, Cepela quickly scheduled an interview with Johnson for the following Monday. And, by Tuesday, Johnson was offered the position as a third-grade teacher for the 2019-2020 school year.

Overjoyed with her job offer, Johnson couldn’t believe the opportunity that was in her ‘backyard’ and was grateful the YMCA helped her to see the community in ways she never imagined.

“I wouldn’t have known about Fairmont School District or even applied for the job without the support and the community the Y provided me with,” said Johnson.

With the school year underway, Johnson is adjusting nicely to her new role at Fairmont School.  Numerous students recognize her from the Y’s summer camp and they enjoy spending time with her at the beginning of the school day; even if it’s just to say ‘hi.’  In the future, Johnson looks forward to many fun and rewarding moments with her students.  And, she is eager to help shape the minds of many students in years to come.

Congratulations, Miss Johnson! We are proud of you and the amazing work you will do at Fairmont School.

If you’re are looking to take an active role in bringing about meaningful, enduring change right in your own community, the Y is looking to fill a number of positions.  To view all available positions or to apply online, please visit www.jolietymca.org

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