Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Community Foundation of Will County Donates $15,000 to YMCA Mission Strong Fund

As a long time provider of before and after school care in Will County, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has the distinct pleasure of working each day with youth in our communities. As our community continues to navigate through this public health crisis, the Y is teaming up with local school districts to support area families and students during remote learning this fall through its Kid Zone PLUS program. 

These efforts would not be possible without the support of local organizations like the Community Foundation of Will County, which recently awarded the Y a $15,000 grant in support of the YMCA Mission Strong Fund. 

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. The Community Foundation’s grant will support multiple Greater Joliet Area YMCA 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.

The Y would like to thank the Community Foundation for its generous donation. 

To pledge your support for these programs through a charitable gift to the Mission Strong Fund, click here. 

Pictured in top photo: (L-R) Community Foundation of Will County Chief Development Officer Gloria Dollinger; Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board Chairman Nick Macris, Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Jim Watts, Community Foundation of Will County Board Member Bill Habiger, and Community Foundation of Will County Board Member and Joliet School District 86 Superintendent Theresa Rouse.

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M&M Bank Donates $5,000 to Support Kid Zone PLUS Programs at the YMCA

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. Through its commitment to youth development, the Y nurtures the potential of every child by incorporating the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility in a resource-rich environment for children in grades K-8. These efforts are made possible through the generosity of organizations like M&M Bank, which recently awarded a $5,000 grant in support of the YMCA Mission Strong Fund and Kid Zone PLUS. 

This generous grant was donated through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Targeted Impact Fund, which was created to provide relief for populations hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and promote racial equity in communities across Illinois and Wisconsin.

By supporting Mission Strong, the donation will provide assistance to multiple Greater Joliet Area YMCA 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.

The Y would like to thank M&M Bank for this donation and the role it will play in providing important services to students and families this fall. 

To learn more about the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund or to pledge your support, please click here. 

Pictured in top photo: (L-R) Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Operating Officer Katy Leclair, Galowich Family YMCA Executive Director Patty Hall, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board Chairman Nick Macris, M&M Bank Senior Vice President Erik Schelling, Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Jim Watts, and Smith Family YMCA Executive Director Donnie Chestnutt

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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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Community Foundation of Grundy County Donates More Than $10,000 to YMCA Mission Strong Fund

YMCA Summer Day Camp offers an exciting and engaging adventure where young people can make new friends while having a whole lot of fun! At Y camp, kids laugh, learn, explore and grow, while creating memories and friendships that last a lifetime. And providing a safe and meaningful camp experience would not be possible without the support of local partners like the Community Foundation of Grundy County and its donor advised fund holders. 

The Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant from the Gerald D. Abel Endowment Fund to the Y’s Mission Strong Fund to help the Morris Community YMCA operate summer day camp, providing funding for additional expenses resulting from the COVID-19 public health crisis. Through the Foundation’s network of donors, another $5,800 was granted to help meet camp needs. Special thanks are given to Joan Eslinger as well as Jack and Karen Hynds of Morris for supporting the Y through their respective donor advised funds at the Foundation.

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. The Community Foundation’s grant helped support multiple youth development initiatives at the Morris Community YMCA including:

  • Providing much-needed financial assistance for summer day camp 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.

Through its commitment to youth development, the Morris Community YMCA nurtures the potential of every child through its summer day camp and Kid Zone before and after school programs. To pledge your support for these programs through a charitable gift to the Mission Strong Fund, click here. 

Pictured in top photo: (L-R) Senior Development Director Julie Wilkinson; Community Foundation of Grundy County Program Director Devan Gagliardo, Community Foundation of Grundy County Executive Director Julie Buck, Joan Eslinger, Jack and Karen Hynds, Morris Community YMCA Executive Director Missy Durkin

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Will County Board In Partnership With Waste Management Donates $10,000 To YMCA Mission Strong Fund

On Thursday, July 30 members of the Will County Board, in partnership with Waste Management, presented the Smith Family YMCA with a check for $10,000 to help support the Y’s Mission Strong Fund. Interim Will County Executive Denise Winfrey as well as District 8 board members Pastor Herb Brooks and Edna Brass were on-hand to present this generous gift to YMCA staff. 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. This donation will help support multiple youth development initiatives at the Smith Family YMCA including:

  • Providing much-needed financial assistance for summer day camp and before and after school care 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 childcare and youth enrichment programs.

Through its commitment to youth development, the Smith Family YMCA nurtures the potential of every child through its summer day camp and Kid Zone before and after school programs. To learn more about youth programs at the Y, click here.

Pictured in top photo – (L-R) Senior Development Director Julie Wilkinson; Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board President Nick Macris; Membership Director Aracely Rubio; Youth Family and Outreach Director Catie Wallis; Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Jim Watts ; Executive Director Donnie Chestnutt; Will County Board Member Pastor Herb Brooks; Will County Board Member Edna Brass; Interim Will County Board Executive Denise Winfrey

Pictured photo at right- (L-R) Senior Development Director Julie Wilkinson; Will County Board Member Pastor Herb Brooks; Executive Director Donnie Chestnutt; Will County Board Member Edna Brass; Membership Director Aracely Rubio; Youth Family and Outreach Director Catie Wallis; Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board Member Bill Lauer; Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Jim Watts.

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Members Generously Contribute More Than $55,000 to Support YMCA Mission Strong Fund

At the Greater Joliet Area YMCA, we are so excited to be serving the community from inside our four facilities once again. We know that this would not be possible without the continued support of our amazing members. 

We would like to send a special thank you to those members who chose to continue paying their membership dues during our COVID-19-related closure, converting them into generous donations to our Mission Strong Fund. These contributions totaled more than $55,000, and helped to ensure that our Y could continue to serve our community’s most critical needs. 

Together, we nourished our neighbors by hosting food distribution events, provided ways for kids and adults to stay connected through virtual fitness and youth programs, supported mental health through a conversation series, and created a space to reflect and meditate through daily prayer calls. While our doors were closed, these activities helped the Y remain relevant, and nurture the mind, body and spirit of our community. 

In appreciation of this inspiring generosity, we’d like to recognize the following members for their charitable contributions to the YMCA: 

Daniel Abbatacola, Luka Acosta, Adam Aguilera, Eduardo Alfaro, David Alford, Sheryl Amico, Dhaval Amin, Marcos Arias, Diane Aros, Dorothy Arrington, Willie Artley, Fred Ashford, Daniele Bacq, Jane Baker, Arnold Baldwin, Daneille Balsano, Margaret Bamford, Trina Bank, Constance Barillas, Elizabeth Bass, Tim Bea, Juli Bednarzyk, Wesley Benzon, Michael Berger, Ted Berman, Barbara Bickner, Ronald Bills, Tom Biskie, Jean Black, Richard Blogg, Stephen Blount, Jina Boerman, Miriam Bolton, Kenneth Bonomo, Arnetta Bosby, Jason Bradley, Christy Brand, Jennifer Brandon, Jennifer Brasfield, David Brooks, Melanie Brown, Jennifer Brunsting, Brian Bukowski, Peter Burbulys, Sharla Burgin, Gerald Businaro, Alexander Butkus, Cindy Butler, Larry Kanada, Janicsia Canales, Mihaela Carasel, Anthony Carcione, Bonita Carlson, Gina Carlson, Samantha Carr, George Carter, Blanca Ceballos, Jen Ceko, Tonya Chagdes, Arturo Chavez, Guy Christensen, Susan Ciarlette, Michael Cichon, Amy Ciesniewski, Kathleen Cindrich, Michael Clancy, Eric Cleghorn, Richard Collette, Sara Conley, Milton Cooke, Carol Cooley, Sheila Corrigan, Robert Cote, Ken Crafton, Peyton Craig, Luke Crandall, Cathy Crawford, Janna Cunningham, Dennis Damiani, Joe Dattilo, Gerald Diederich, Valerie Dierlam, Krystal Dillon, Pia Dipersia, Meghan Dolph, Thomas Domabyl, Madge Douglas, Caryn Drown, Michael Ducato, Jean Dunning, Caitlin Dupre, James Durant, Ronald Durham, Patrick Durkin, Katie Dworak, Lisa Dziedzic, Amanda Eager, Caroline Easley, Elizabeth Elsbree, Charles Enerson, Alice Eyong, Cindy Fahey, Marilyn Fedorchuk, Dawn Fehring, Meredith Feminis, David Ferguson, Jane Ferguson, Alana Ferry, Jim Fiedler, Jennifer Fieldman, Faith Filipiak, Meggan Florell, Bethany Foster, Daniel Frank, Patricia Frauenheim, Teresa Frederick, Brian Froderman, Danielle Garnis, Rocky Garvey, Denise Gaska, Ashlyn Gathman, Guy Geiger, Sheena Gigante, Karen Gladden, Ian Gladding, Alicia Godinez, Frances Gomez, Jacquelina Gonzalez, Susan Graff, George Gray, Erin Greenwood, Mary Greenwood, Joann Grose, Yessenia Guarderas, Marilyn Guerrieri, Andy Guise, Maria Guzman, Robert Hamaker, Robert Hamilton, Patricia Hammerton, Timothy Hanley, Joanne Harms, Stephanie Harrison, Maureen Hatfield, Bob Hayes, Mary Hayworth, Judith Heifner, Hope Heisner, Michael Helgeson, Dennis Henning, Michael Hernandez, Tom Hernandez, Laura Herrarte, Robert Hesch, Katharina Hess, Lawrence Hill, William Holaday, John Hornbogen, Theresa Hudson, Don Hudzik, Angelina Incavo, Shelly Ann Interial, Pamela Jackson, Laurie Jacbosen, Mariscela Jaimes, Amber Jimenez-Mikulich, Judith Johnstone, Charles Jones, Lou Kaducak, Kasia Kamysz, Karyne Kane, Michelle Kelly, Barbara Kesman, Thomas Ketelhut, Thomas King, Lynne Kociss, Barry Kolanowski, Karen Kolasinski, Marian Kopay, Sarah Koplinski, Gloria Kozar, Juliann Kramer, Robert Kramer, Nancy Kruk, Sandra Krzywanos, Pete Kyrychenko, Stan Laken, Benjamin Lammers, Cheryle Larson,  John Latimer, Irene Leopold, Raymond Lisy, Colette Loecke, Velma Mabry, Natalie MacPhail, Magdalena Magana, Noah Mahlberg, Jeremy Mancilla, Scott Marks, Paulette Marotta, Margaret Marsaglia, Theresa Maskel, Andrew Mathis, Early Mathis, Lisa Matlock, Maraline Mattke, Tracy Mazalewski, Marcus McCarty, Jeffrey McClain, Mark McClowry, Mary McDowell, Deborah McDuffie, Allison McElfresh, Charity McGee, Dan Medler, Robert Mette, Gary Milkeris, Andrea Miller, Meghan Milnes, Angelique Minett, Robert Mitchell, Sopheap Mitchell, Shellie Molina, Kevin Monk, Paul Moreno, Laura Morin, Kelly Mote, Susan Mulvey, Katie Munsell, Brian Murphy, Lynnen Murphy, Janet Nackovic, Francisco Nevarez, Barb Nice, Joanne Nicholson, Trish Niewoehner, Nancy Norton, Patricia Norton, Cheryl Obenchain, Victoria O’Brien, Ruth O’Hara, Laura Oliver, David Olson, Kevin Olson, Rocio Orozco, Ethan Pajula Shirley Palmerin, Ralph Papesh, Merlin Parkhill, Lois Patnode, Emily Pearson, Judi Petersen, Karen Peterson, Ed Petka, Julianne Pfaff, Deborah Piatak, Sandy Piatak, Okie Picco, Donna Pienta, Pamela Porter, Michaline Posont, Thomas Powers, Dennis Poziombka, Cynthia Proffitt, Amanda Pyzik, Mindy Quail, Laura Ramos, Terese Ramsey, Mike Reed Marcus Rembert, Carole Rich, Chris Richards, Gregory Riebe, Vivana Rios, Shahzana Ripp, Thomas Ristau, Kendall Rizzo, Carol Romberg, Fernando Romero, Cheryl Roth, John Roth Jr., Cheri Rubocki, Donald Ryder, Michelle Salinas, Everett Samms, Shelley Sanders, Gwenn Sanfilippo, Maria Santander, Wendy Satio, Joyce Satorius, Robert Schiavo, Erin Schillaci, Jeffrey Scholtes, Mark Sender, Kathy Sharkey, Danny Short, Thomas Shortley, Cindy Simones, Laura Sirotek, Daniel Skratulia, Mary Jo Slowik, Carl Smith, Saundra Smith, Sheri Smith, Sueanna Smith, Jacolynn Sommer, Julia Sowonik, Bob Squires, Robert Stahl, Tracy Steinbrenner, Brenda Strange, Tonya Strohecker-Burke, Cosandra Summlion, Thomas Sur, Richard Suranovic, Cheryl Tattrig, Thomas Tepper, Craig Thompson, Chandra Thorson, Leona Tichenor, Angela Townsend, Lisa Tram, Kevin Traxler, Andrew Trefonas, Mary Trepac, Beth Trusheim, Kandise Tucker, Rhonda Tuminello, James Ullian, Carla Vacco, Megan Vainowski, David Valdivia, Alex Valencia, Julianne Valentino, Jerry Vance, Erik Vasquez, Patricia Vaughn, Matthew Vaughn, Sunshine Vega, Ryan Vickers, Allan Villegas, Tracy Volkmar, Danielle Wallin, Thomas Walsh, Martha Wassenaar, David Way, Anthony Waznonis, Beverly Webb, Sadie West, Jacki Wickens, Jill Wickens, Emily Wiencek, Ryan Wilkinson, Margaret Williams, Stephany Williams, Madeleine Wilson, Tameka Winns, Claudia Wolf, Mary Wren, Robin Youell, Eric Young Brianne Zaborowski, Angela Zak, Donna Zanzola, Sam Zattair, Yingchun Zhang, Gregory Zipprich

On behalf of the entire Y community, we say thank you.

To learn more about the Mission Strong Fund, or to pledge your support for the Y’s continuing community service efforts by making a contribution, click here.

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