YBL — Page 3 — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

YBL Looking For Team Sponsors

October 15, 2019

The YMCA’s Youth Sports program maximizes the positive effects of playing sports by emphasizing healthy competition and promoting teamwork. The Y focuses on the life lessons that can be learned from sports and coaches strive to instill a positive self-image in each player. Most importantly, in the YMCA league, everyone plays and everyone wins!

The YMCA relies on the generosity of local businesses to help underwrite the costs of its youth sports leagues through sponsorships. Our Youth Basketball League season will be starting soon and we are inviting any interested sponsors to contact the Y and help support a team. The deadline to submit a sponsorship is December 13.

Sponsorship Form

If you would like to learn more about how your business can make a difference in the life of a young Y athlete, please reach out to your local Y branch:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Maria Romero
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 217

Galowich Family YMCA

Patty Hall
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 327

Morris Community YMCA

Chris Interial
[email protected]
(815)-513-8080 ext. 514

Smith Family YMCA

Donnie Chestnutt
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 338

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Meet the C.W. Avery Family YMCA Sports Team

September 16, 2019

plainfield YMCA sports team

The Y’s Youth Sports Programs foster new friendships, teaches kids the importance of teamwork and provides youth with fun physical activity. Spearheading the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Youth Sports Program is Sports Director Maria Romero and Sports Manager Omar Solano.

Romero started her Y career as a summer day camp counselor. At the time, her brother worked in the Y’s summer day camp program and he encouraged her to apply. For three consecutive summers, Romero continued to work part-time at the Y until she graduated college, and in 2006 she accepted the role as the Kids Zone Manager at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA. In 2011, she joined the Y’s leadership team as the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Sports Director.

Solano’s Y journey began similar to Romero’s. At the age of 18, he was looking for a part-time job in the Plainfield area when he noticed the C.W. Avery Family Y was hiring for its Kid Zone Program. Knowing several friends that worked at the Y, Solano decided to apply for the position. He started working as a counselor in the Y’s Kid Zone and summer day camp programs and eventually pursued a sports career at the Y. As a former high school athlete, Solano taught youth sports classes and reffed at games. In April, Solano took on the exciting role as Sports Manager at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA.

With the fall sports season in full swing, Romero and Solano are already finalizing plans for the 2019-2020 youth basketball season. The Y’s highly anticipated Youth Basketball League will kick-off in early January 2020.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Romero: I grew up in Plainfield, IL and I have been with the Y for 15 years. I have a son, Leo, and we both love spending our time at the YMCA!

Solano: I also grew up in Plainfield, IL. And, I attended Plainfield Central High School, where I played on the basketball team for four years.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?

Romero: When I’m not busy working, you can find me working out and staying active playing sports, including softball. I also enjoy spending quality time with my family.

Solano: Aside from playing sports, I enjoy working out and listening to music.

Q: What inspires you?

Romero: My parents and my son–they make me want to be a better person.

Solano: Definitely my parents.

Q: What is your favorite part about working with young athletes?

Romero: It’s very rewarding to watch a child figure out a sport that’s theirs. Nothing can describe the feeling I get when I see a child discover a sport they love.

Solano: It’s cool to see the impact a sport has on a child. From making friends, to learning the fundamentals of a sport, to watching them thrive in a sport they’re passionate about—it’s awesome.

Q: What makes sports programming at the Y unique?

Romero and Solano: At the Y, we work with our athletes and their families. We want to make every young athlete’s experience enjoyable in any way possible. And, it’s important for their parents to know that they are not held to any strict obligations. We are understanding and flexible when it comes to their busy schedules. We’re here for their child(ren) to have a great time playing sports.

Q: What is your favorite sports team?
Romero: The Chicago Cubs!

Solano: I am also a Chicago Cubs fan, but I enjoy college basketball too. I am a huge Duke fan!

As a reminder, registration for the Y’s Youth Basketball Leagues is underway! Registration can be done online or in-person at your local branch. If you have questions about youth basketball leagues, youth sports programs or just want to say ‘hi’ to this athletic duo, make sure to stop by their offices the next time you are at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA. You can also email them directly at [email protected] and [email protected].

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Volunteer Basketball Coaches Needed

September 16, 2019

Calling all parents, leaders, mentors and basketball enthusiasts! We have a unique opportunity for you. The YMCA is in need of volunteer coaches for the upcoming Youth Basketball Season. For a couple hours each week, we’re looking for someone who can:

Instill positive values
Teach the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship
Promote the benefits of physical activity
Lead, encourage and have fun at the time

Get involved today by contacting your local YMCA.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Maria Romero
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 217

Galowich and Smith Family YMCAs
Patty Hall
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 327

Morris Community YMCA
Chris Interial
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 514

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National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Healthy Living Tips

September 3, 2019

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and as a leading community-based organization dedicated to improving health, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA encourages members of all ages to embrace a healthy lifestyle.

Here are some great tips to help your family incorporate healthy eating and regular physical activity into your fall schedules:

Eat & Drink Healthy: Make water the drink of choice and encourage everyone to fill half their plates with fruits and vegetables by offering two or three colorful options at every meal. As a family, choose a new fruit and veggie every week to taste together. Place a full pitcher of water on the table during meals and allow children to pour their own water. And, be sure to keep full water bottles available in the car and your children’s backpacks.

Play Every Day/Go Outside: Children should have at least an hour a day of unstructured play outside (when possible) and break a sweat at least three times a week by getting 20 minutes or more of vigorous physical activity. Join your children in games that get your hearts pumping and bodies moving.

Get Together: Eat as a family as frequently as possible. Involve kids in meal planning, preparation and clean up. In addition, adults should take a break from electronics and spend one-to-one time each day with their kids, enjoying one another’s company.

Reduce Recreational Screen Time: Time spent in front of a television, computer, tablet, cell phone or video games should be limited to two hours or less per day. Make a family plan to reduce screen time at home (i.e. turn off screens during meals, charge electronics/screens in the kitchen overnight, go for a walk after a meal, set a timer to remind you to power down the screen).

Sleep Well: Kids and adults need to keep a regular sleep schedule; unwind together in the evenings by reading a book or listening to soft music to ensure the body is preparing for sleep. Kids are growing and need 10-12 hours of healthy sleep per night. Adults should strive for seven to eight hours of sleep a night.

If you’re looking for additional ways to keep your children active, the Y’s youth sports programs are a great way to stay fit and have fun at the same time! Registration is currently underway for the Y’s youth basketball program. Open to kids in preschool through high school, the Y’s basketball program teaches kids the fundamentals of the game and the importance of teamwork. Register today and participate in our free clinics to gear up for the upcoming basketball season!

For more information on how your family can live a healthy, active life or for more information on our youth basketball program, visit www.jolietymca.org or contact the sports director at your local branch.

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