KANKAKEE AREA YMCA
For a young immigrant, the Y was more than a place to
play basketball. It was a safe haven from life on the streets.
It began as a woman’s search for a place to build endurance
during her cancer treatments. Today, her family has come to
rely on the Y as a source of unity, strength and belonging.
Sometimes teens need a little extra guidance when they are
Government gave her just that, with some added advantages.
Healthy Living
It began as a woman’s search for a place to build endurance during her cancer treatments. Today, her family has come to rely on the Y as a source of unity, strength and belonging.
It was the LIVESTRONG™ at the YMCA program for cancer survivors that brought Mary and her husband Mike through our doors. The program offers those living with, through and beyond cancer a safe environment where they participate in physical and social activities to meet their personal health and well-being goals. A cancer survivor still undergoing treatments, Mary wanted to build her strength and endurance to help her fight the disease and better handle its treatment. Mike wanted to be able to join her and exercise as well.
Just over a year later, Mary has completed her most recent round of treatment and reports that her cancer is at bay. She tells us that the twelve-week LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program she completed at the Northwest Family YMCA helped reduce the effects of treatment such as fatigue, and made her feel stronger. She’s able to perform everyday tasks with greater ease while maintaining a higher level of energy on a daily basis. She has even given back as a volunteer speaker at an all-staff meeting and modeled in a YMCA fashion show to help raise funds to support the LIVESTRONG at the YMCAprogram at the Northwest Family YMCA.
Meanwhile, Mike is consistently working out several times a week and is reaching his goal to increase his strength. Their 11-year-old grandson, JP, needed opportunities for interactions with his peers, and Mike decided to sign him up for the NFL Flag Football program where he’s really begun to feel like a part of the team. JP has been very active over the past year in other sports programs too, as well as summer camp, junior teen nights and family events. He’s blossomed both physically and socially as a member of the Y.
All of their positive comments recently inspired Mary’s daughter to join as well.
One day one couple took a chance and visited the YMCA. Today, their entire family is healthier and more connected as a result.
Now Happening at the Y
- Lamplighters Club
- Les Mills BODYPUMP
- New Cardio Equipment Is Here!
- Preschool
Our philanthropic gifts create a tremendous ripple effect, from ourselves to our families and on to the world around us – usually reaching so far that we may not even realize the benefits our gifts have created in the lives of others.
When you cast your stone our way, you help ensure a long life for the Kankakee Area YMCA. Your charitable gift contributes to a future of new possibilities for families and children throughout Kankakee County.
In addition, your gifts to the YMCA can benefit your current financial plans and help you meet your family's needs for years to come. Many avenues are available to blend your philanthropic goals with your own financial, tax and estate plans – while ensuring that your resources are utilized to their fullest capacity, for your family and your favorite charitable interests.
In this booklet you will find descriptions of many options that may fit your situation and goals. Please allow us to partner with your legal and tax advisors to help you plan for tomorrow, as well as receive maximum benefits today.
What Is a Lamplighter?
Back in the days before electricity, many cities and towns still could keep their municipalities illuminated at night: they had streetlights that used oil, and later gas. And every night at dusk one man had the job of going to each individual streetlamp, setting it aglow from the torch he carried, and continuing on to the next. Though he had moved on, he left the world behind him bright, safe, and warm. This stalwart of the community was the Lamplighter.
Read more...Les Mills BODYPUMP
BODYPUMP™ is the fastest way to shape up and lose body fat. It's a toning and conditioning class with weights and is for just about everybody who wants to add strength training into their aerobic workout. The simplicity of the class makes BODYPUMP™ a great starting point to develop strength and confidence. Hot sounds and compelling choreography keep you going through each 45-minute or one-hour workout. You'll use a step platform, a bar and a set of weights.
If you're new to weights-resistance exercise or you're out of shape, you should start with light weights. After a few classes you'll recognise the correct weight for you. If you're unsure, ask your instructor.
BODYPUMP™ Benefits
- Burn up to 600 calories per class for fat loss
- Improve your strength
- Improve your general fitness
- Shape and tone your musclesImprove your bone density (helps ward off osteoporosis)
- Gives you a sense of achievement
Check out this body pump class at the Louisville YMCA
Contact our wellness center staff to set up an equipment orientation
The four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility form the basis for all activities in the PNC Grow Up Great Preschool Program. Our staff model YMCA values and assist children in developing positive attitudes based on these core values.
An array of daily learning experiences in the program can be found in our Activity Centers. These choices, based on age appropriate activities in a child-centered, fun environment, offer our children a chance to learn, to imagine, to relax—a chance to grow.
Session Dates
Winter II (Feb 20 - April 15)
Registration opens
Members -Jan. 30
Prosp. Members - Feb. 6
Spring Session (Apr 16 - Jun 3)
Registration opens
Members -Mar. 26
Prosp. Members - Apr. 2
Y Fall Newsletter
New Y Videos
Cardio Kickboxing
Cardio Kickboxing from Kankakee Area YMCA on Vimeo.
Youth Basketball
Youth Basketball from Kankakee Area YMCA on Vimeo.
