Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Join the Y During Our Cyber Monday Sale

New members who join the Y on Cyber Monday (December 2) will pay a $0 Joiner’s Fee – a savings of up to $120!

* Valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location. Cannot be combined with any other offers. 

OUR FACILITY MEMBERS ENJOY:

Access to Three Branches

Your membership gives you unlimited use of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s three YMCA locations, including:

  • Three indoor pools and our family aquatic center, all fully programmed with activities for the entire family, including family swim time, swim lessons, aquatic fitness programs and lap lane access.*
  • Three wellness centers, all equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment.
  • Free fitness orientations and daily group exercise classes (programs vary by location).

*Morris Hospital YMCA lap pool will open on Monday, December 16.

Quality Programming
In addition to our free group exercise classes, the Y offers year-round swim lessons, sports programs and personal training, among a slew of other options.

Child Care
If you have a Family Membership, you can drop your child(ren) off at our supervised playroom while you exercise.

Free Basic Access to the YMCA On the Go App
The On the Go App will provide Y members with access to the YMCA 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This new interactive tool is loaded with free workouts, on-demand videos, and nutrition tips.

Free Access to the My Y Rewards Program
Upon enrolling in the My Y Rewards Program, you’ll earn points each time you check-in, take a class, or refer a friend to the Y. In fact, you’ll earn your first 50 points for simply enrolling in the program. You can then redeem your points for fun Y swag and program and membership credits.

So Much More
A complete list of member benefits can be found here. You can also check out a full list of our programming by taking a look at our Winter 2025 Program Session Schedules.

THREE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 Wallin Dr, Plainfield, IL 60544

Galowich Family YMCA
749 Houbolt Road, Joliet IL 60431

Morris Community YMCA
320 Wauponsee St, Morris, IL 60450

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Morris Hospital YMCA Excited to Share Membership Welcome Packet

Opening day for the Morris Hospital YMCA is less than a month away! And, as we prepare to welcome the community to this wonderful new facility, we invite you to take a look the membership welcome packet below to learn more about what the YMCA can do for you and your family!

Morris Hospital YMCA Welcome Packet

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Celebrate the Holiday Season at the YMCA

Ho, Ho, Ho! This holiday season, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has a series of festive activities planned for you and your family. Come ready to spread joy and cheer and join us in a winter wonderland of fun!

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Kids’ Night Out: Friendsgiving
Date: Friday, November 22
Time: 6:30-9 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

YMCA Kids’ Night Out is the perfect way for kids to have fun with their friends on a Friday night! Join us for a variety of Thanksgiving themed activities, games, sports, movies, and arts & crafts! Pizza and drinks will also be provided.

Cost: $15 for Facility Members, $30 for Community Members

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance.

Holidays Around the World
Date: Friday, December 6
Time: 6-7:30 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Join us for an evening highlighting holiday traditions around the world, including traditional holiday crafts, games, letters to Santa, reindeer food, bounce houses, a hot chocolate bar, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Families can also donate an item to our Winter Clothing Drive for a chance to win a prize!

Cost: Free and open to the community. Registration is required.

Kids’ Night Out: Holiday Pajama Palooza
Date: Friday, December 13
Time: 6:30-9 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

YMCA Kids’ Night Out is the perfect way for kids to have fun with their friends on a Friday night! Join us for a variety of activities such as games, sports, movies, and arts & crafts. Pizza and drinks will also be provided. Don’t forget to wear your most festive pajamas!

Cost: $15 for Facility Members, $30 for Community Members

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance.

Family Fitness Friday: Family Reindeer Games
Friday, December 20
6-7 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

These family oriented group fitness classes will help you and your family create healthy habits and have fun together! Celebrate the season with fun health and wellness activities fit for all ages! Open to ages 4 and up.

Cost: Free and open to the community,

Noon Year’s Eve Pool Party
Tuesday, December 31
10 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Back by popular demand! Make your plans to join us as we usher in the new year with a family-friendly party in the Y’s indoor waterpark. Festivities will include open swim, music, crafts, games, refreshments, and a New Year’s ‘countdown’ at noon.

Cost: $20, Open to Facility Members only.

PLEASE NOTE: Space is limited and registration is required.

Morris Community YMCA

Kids’ Night Out: Holiday Fun
Date: Friday, December 6
Time: 5:30-8 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

YMCA Kids’ Night Out is the perfect way for kids to have fun with their friends on a Friday night! Join us for a variety of holiday themed activities, games, arts, crafts and a movie!

Cost: $15 for Facility Members, $30 for Community Members

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance.

Galowich Family YMCA

Winter Wonderland at the YMCA
Date: Friday, December 13
Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Santa Claus is coming to town and making a special stop at the Galowich Family YMCA! Enjoy making reindeer food, interacting with Santa, ornament decorating, and more.

Cost: Free and open to the community

PLEASE NOTE: Reservations are available in 30 minute time slots from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for a picture with Santa. Registration is required.

Noon Year’s Eve Pool Party
Tuesday, December 31
10 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Make your plans to join us as we usher in the new year with a family-friendly party in the lap pool. Festivities will include open swim, music, crafts, games, refreshments, and a New Year’s ‘countdown’ at noon.

Cost: $20 for Facility Members, $30 for Community Members

PLEASE NOTE: Space is limited and registration is required.

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My Y Rewards Special November Earnings Event

MY Y REWARDS SPECIAL NOVEMBER EARNINGS EVENT

Get ready to burn off those Halloween candy calories with a special bonus for My Y Rewards program participants!

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Facility Members, ages 16 and up, enrolled in the My Y Rewards program will receive 100 bonus points if they attend eight group fitness classes in the month of November .

Learn how to enroll by clicking below.

ENROLL TODAY

Upon enrolling in the My Y Rewards Program, you’ll also earn points each time you check-in, take a class, or refer a friend to the Y. In fact, you’ll earn your first 50 points for simply enrolling in the program. You can then redeem your points for fun Y swag and program and membership credits.

If you should have any questions or any feedback on the My Y Rewards Program, please be sure to stop by the Membership Desk during your next visit or email [email protected].

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Strengthening Our Community: PINK OUT for Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Y wants to help by encouraging our community to wear pink during the week of October 21-27!

Members who wear pink to the Y will earn an entry into a raffle to win special Y swag. (Max. 7 entries.) Daily raffles will be held at each branch. 

STOP BY THE Y AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT! 

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Erin Lightbody Named Executive Director of C.W. Avery Family YMCA

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is proud to announce that Erin Lightbody has been named Executive Director of the C.W. Avery Family YMCA. Lightbody, who has worked for the Y since 2003, started her new role this month and we are excited to have her leading operations at our Plainfield location.

A seasoned YMCA professional with more than 20 years of experience, Lightbody began her YMCA career as a counselor/site-coordinator in the Y’s Before and After School Kid Zone program and was named the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Youth and Family Director in 2004. After leading youth development programming for 14 years in Plainfield, she became the YMCA’s Youth Operations Director in 2018, and has been instrumental in shaping youth programs across the association. Through her leadership, the YMCA has created and implemented policies and procedures that ensure the nearly 1,300 children who participate in Y programs each day have a safe, engaging, and enriching experience. 

During her tenure at the Y, Lightbody not only helped the Y navigate the challenges of providing childcare services during the COVID pandemic, she also became a certified Praesidium Guardian, an award given to leaders who help ensure that an organization is following the highest industry standards for child abuse prevention. As a part of her certification, Lightbody completed an impact project designed to improve applicant screening for childcare positions in the Y’s summer day camp and before and after school programs.

“Taking the Praesidium Guardian class helped me take a look at the entire interview and training process for employees in our childcare programs and identify ways we can continue to improve hiring and onboarding candidates. Everything from start to finish has been made more robust. I look forward to continuing to support families in my new role, as well as all those that walk through the doors of the Y,” Lightbody said.

Lightbody also played a key role in supporting the expansion of YMCA child care programs into the Valley View School District, and she plans to continue to drive the YMCA’s mission forward by fostering a culture of excellence, community, and inclusion at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA.

“Erin brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to our organization,” Director of Branch & Program Operations Lisa Behounek said. “Throughout a remarkable YMCA career spanning more than two decades, Erin has consistently demonstrated her passion, leadership, and dedication to our mission. Her vision, attention to detail, and ability to connect with staff, children, and families alike make her the perfect fit for this role. We are excited to see her lead the C.W. Avery Family YMCA into the future.”

Lightbody has a degree in Business Administration/Sports Management from Aquinas College. She resides in Plainfield with her family.

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