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Nov 30, 2021 - Rauner Family YMCA

Rauner Family YMCA to resume fitness operations

FAQs 

 

1. What programs and services should I expect will be available at the Rauner Family YMCA and when will they begin?

  • Available before January 2, 2022:
    • On site Early Learning Education and Care program serving toddlers and preschoolers from 0-5 years of age
    • Full breadth of Out of School Time programming, including:
      • On site After School program serving children aged 5-12 years
      • School Days Out program providing care to school-aged children from 7am- 6pm when school is not in session (state and federal holidays)
      • Winter Break Camp for children aged 5-12 years
    • Youth Safety Violence and Prevention Program
    • Free bilingual Computer Support Lab (open Tues/Thurs: 10am-2pm)
    • Community rentals

    

  • Available after January 2, 2022:
    • Full fitness center complete with cardiovascular and circuit training equipment
    • Fitness classes (yoga, step classes, cycling, zumba, etc.)
    • Youth sports classes (soccer, basketball, dodgeball, volleyball, etc.)
    • Programming for teens (Summer job opportunities, skill-building workshops, peer mentoring, community service opportunities, computer lab, arts programming, arcade room, living room-style drop-in hang out space, etc.)

 

2. How does the 2022 complimentary membership model for the Rauner Family YMCA work? What centers do I, as a Rauner Family YMCA member, have access to?

For 2022, the Rauner Family YMCA is offering complimentary memberships to its neighbors in Little Village, Pilsen, and surrounding communities. People can sign-up starting November 30, 2021. The complimentary membership will be valid from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022.

Additionally, people living in area zip codes 60608, 60623, 60632, and 60609 will also enjoy complimentary use of all 13 of the YMCA of Metro Chicago’s local Y centers across the city and suburbs.

Beginning January 1, 2023, affordable membership rates will apply. At that time, we will offer a variety of memberships, including for single adults, families, and youth. Please be assured that the 2023 rates will be aligned with the needs of the community and members will be notified well in advance of the options. Our goal is to remain a vital community asset for the community that serves the unique needs of local families. This includes remaining affordable to those we aim to serve.

Feel free to call us at 773-847-3115 or come into the center and we’ll be happy to explain more. 

 

3. Why are you offering free memberships to the Rauner Family YMCA in 2022?

Our goal is to remain a vital community asset for local families. And we believe that everyone deserves access to the Y’s quality programs and to the resources needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle - in body and in mind. Especially after a prolonged period of social distancing and isolation brought about by the pandemic, we want to ensure that families have a place where they feel they belong and are able to reconnect with others.   By resuming fitness and other programming at the Rauner Family YMCA, we are ensuring that ALL families have access to the resources they need to do so. This is our way of trying to create more equitable communities.

 

4. I don't live in the Little Village or Pilsen. Can I still take advantage of the 2022 complimentary membership at the Rauner Family YMCA?

Usage of the Rauner Family YMCA facility will be free for all in 2022. However, usage of other YMCA of Metro Chicago facilities will only be open to members who reside in the 60608, 60623, 60632, and 60609 zip codes. Should you have any questions about potential membership at any of our 13 Y centers, please do not hesitate to stop by our front desks or call our member services center at 773.905.5115.

 

5. How do I and/or my family sign up to become a member of the Rauner Family YMCA?

You are welcome to sign up for the complimentary membership in-person at the front desk of the Rauner Family YMCA. Please bring with you any form of photo identification that lists your home address or other proof of address (e.g. utility bill).

Membership rates will apply beginning January 1, 2023. (See question #2 above for more details).


6. What will happen to my membership account after the 2022 complimentary membership expires?

Beginning January 1, 2023, affordable membership rates will apply. At that time, we will offer a variety of memberships, including for single adults, families, and youth. Please be assured that the rates will be aligned with the needs of the community and members will be notified well in advance of the options. Our goal is to remain a vital community asset for the community that serves the unique needs of local families.

Feel free to call us at 773-847-3115 or come into the center and we’ll be happy to explain more. 

 

7. When can I come to sign-up?

You can sign-up starting November 30, 2021 in-person at the front desk. Until our full hours of operation begin on January 2, we are open for registration and tours during:

  • Monday - Friday 6 a.m.- 8 p.m.
  • Saturday 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Sunday 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Please be reminded that the complimentary membership will be valid from January 2, 2022 to December 31, 2022 only.

 

8. I used to be a Rauner Family YMCA member before memberships were closed. What should I expect to see different/the same at the Rauner Family YMCA in 2022 compared to before the pandemic?

The safety, health, and wellbeing of our members, staff, and all who walk through our doors is always our highest priority. As with all of our Y centers, the Rauner Family YMCA will be deep-cleaned daily using hospital-grade disinfectant, adhering to all of the most current COVID-19 safety precautions issued by the official public health authorities. Currently, members, staff, and visitors are required to wear facemasks while inside our facilities. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.          

As the Y renews its commitment to the Little Village and Pilsen communities by bringing back gym offerings and other programming at the Rauner Family Y in 2022, our future focused strategy places a heavier emphasis on collaborations, including engaging community-based partners as well as others. We are open to all forms of partnerships ranging from programmatic collaborations to sponsorships and grants from like-minded organizations who share our commitment to creating equitable communities and building stronger youth, families, and communities. This will ensure more resources and a wider array of services for local families.

 

9. Which community organizations and partners are you collaborating with?

So far, we are proud to have secured the following partners who we will be working with to provide quality services to the community:

  • Instituto del Progreso Latino
  • Alevio Medical Center (currently working out of Arturo Velazquez)
  • Arturo Velazquez Trade School
  • Pilsen Community Council
  • Marshall Square Resource Network

We continue to work on engaging other like-minded partners and expect to have more collaborations to announce in the coming months.

 

10. I represent an organization that is interested in collaborating with the Rauner Family YMCA. Who should I contact?

Please feel free to contact Angel La Luz, Executive Director, Rauner Family YMCA at [email protected]

 

11. Can I make some programming suggestions?

Absolutely! Getting the feedback and suggestions of our Rauner Family Y neighbors is crucial to ensuring that we remain the vital community asset that we strive to be. We welcome families to let us know the types of services you would like to see us offer at your local Rauner Family Y center.  We have developed an online questionnaire to help gather your feedback. 

 

12. The majority of my family are Spanish-only speaking. What resources will be available to ensure that they, and other community members like them, can fully participate in all that the Rauner Family YMCA has to offer?

As we prepare for January 2022, we are committed to hiring bilingual staff to more appropriately serve the specific needs of this community. Similarly, we endeavor to provide bilingual program materials and essential information going forward. We have also secured - and will continue to pursue - partnerships with organizations that focus on, and have an innate understanding of the unique needs of this community. 

 

13. I am interested in working for the Rauner Family YMCA. Where can I get more information and who should I contact?

For a list of current job vacancies at the Rauner Family YMCA, please visit our careers page. 

 

14. How are you ensuring the sustainability of the Rauner Family Y and how can you  assure me that this isn’t a short-term plan?    

As the Y renews its commitment to the Little Village and Pilsen communities by bringing back gym offerings and other programming at the Rauner Family Y in 2022, our future focused strategy places a heavier emphasis on collaborations and the resources that can come from like-minded partners who wish to have an impact on youth, families, and communities. We are shifting away from an approach that depends heavily on  membership dues to sustain a center and replacing it with a model that relies on the power of partnerships to create resiliency and build on our programs.