Joliet YMCA partners with local schools

Joliet Public Schools District 86 partners with Joliet YMCA

Over 100 Joliet Public Schools District 86 elementary students participated in the Smith Opportunities for Activities and Recreation (SOAR) swimming program this school year at the Smith Family YMCA.

Fifth grade students from T.E. Culbertson, M.J. Cunningham, Edna Keith, A.O. Marshall, Isaac Singleton, and Woodland Elementary Schools attended the after-school program.

The students and teacher chaperones traveled by bus from school twice a week to the YMCA for the swimming lessons for eight-week sessions.

During the swim classes, students learned important lessons about water safety and developed a variety of swimming skills.

The free program was open to all fifth grade students at the above mentioned schools on a first come, first served basis. The SOAR partnership with District 86 and the Smith Family YMCA began in 2008.

Joliet YMCA provides free swim lessons to Fairmont School students

On March 11, more than 60 first- and second-grade students entered the pool deck at the Smith Family YMCA, located at 1350 S. Briggs St. in Joliet.

Some of them had never stepped foot in a pool. Many had no previous swimming experience.

But these students, hailing from Fairmont School District in Lockport, came ready to learn—that was clear by the excitement, laughter and energy that filled the air.

Throughout the week, students developed critical water safety skills, slowly but surely becoming strong, confident swimmers.

Lessons were held for an hour each day, all free of charge through a YMCA outreach program called Project SOAR, or “Smith Opportunities for Activities and Recreation.”

Since launching in 2008, SOAR has provided more than 10,000 swimming lessons for area youth by partnering with neighboring community organizations and schools.

To accommodate this large group of students, the Smith Family YMCA enlisted staff and volunteers from within its parent association, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA.

Senior Vice President and Chief Operation Officer Katy Leclair, a lifelong swimmer who started her career as an aquatics coordinator, was one of 15 instructors to lead the daily lessons.

“For many kids, the Y is the starting point to learn about being active and developing healthy habits. But the benefits are far greater than just physical health,” Leclair said in a news release from the Greater Joliet YMCA.

“Our programs exist to lift them up and push them forward, whether it’s to help them gain the confidence that comes from learning to swim or build positive relationships with strong role models.”

Through hands-on instruction, the children learned foundational water skills, including safe pool entry, floating, treading and gliding, among other skills they’ll carry with them throughout their lives.

At the end of the week, each student received a certificate of completion, a YMCA family day pass and bracelet that reads “I Learned to Swim at the Y!”

“The YMCA went above and beyond to ensure these lessons were a thoroughly enjoyable and educational experience for our students,” Diane Cepela, Fairmont School District superintendent, said in a news release from the Joliet YMCA. “We are genuinely looking forward to more collaborative opportunities in the future.”

ABOUT Project SOAR

Through Project SOAR “Smith Opportunities for Activities and Recreation,” the Joliet Area YMCA partners with local agencies and schools to provide Joliet children swim time at the Y. Project SOAR began 2008.

Through local businesses and grant funds, the Y has provided more than 10,000 free swim lessons for kids in Joliet since.

For more information about Project SOAR, call the Smith Family YMCA at 815-726-3939.

KNOW MORE

According to the Joliet Area YMCA website, the Y has served families—regardless of age, income or background—from throughout Will County and its surrounding areas, since 1928.

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA has five locations: C.W. Avery Family YMCA in Plainfield, Galowich Family YMCA in Joliet, Morris Community YMCA in Morris, Smith Family YMCA in Joliet and Central City YMCA – “Y Without Walls."

The Central City YMCA provides programming at little or no cost for kids who attend schools in Joliet's central or east sides.

The CCY utilizes the Smith Family YMCA for the pool and additional recreational space but also offers offsite programs, youth basketball in the winter and day camp in the summer.

High school youth may participate in the Teen Achievers program. Programs includes tutoring, mentoring, leadership development, career and self-esteem workshops, three-day college tour, college/career fairs, workplace tours, SAT/ACT preparation, job shadowing, health lifestyle choices, recognition events.

Since 2005, 93% of the graduating seniors in the Teen Achievers Program have advanced to institutions of higher learning, the website also said.

To learn more about swim lessons at the Y, please visit www.jolietymca.org.