News

Teen Scholarship Applications Available

The YMCA of Rock River Valley is accepting applications from area teens for the YMCA Antonio Little Award and the YMCA Teen Leadership Award - each will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship. 

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YMCA Launches Youth & Government Program

The YMCA of Rock River Valley has been selected as one of 11 grant recipients to help shape the next generation of thoughtful, committed and active citizens by expanding the Y’s Youth and Government® program.

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YMCA Launches the Reset Challenge

The YMCA of Rock River Valley is partnering YMCAs nationally to RESET! Beginning February 13, 2023, join the Y, and the almost 100 other YMCAs across the country, to build one healthy habit that you choose to increase your physical, mental, or spiritual health.

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Bobby Reitsch Named Among 2022 40 Under 40

​The YMCA of Rock River Valley is pleased to announce Bobby Reitsch, Executive Director of Development at the YMCA of Rock River Valley, was recently named one of the 2022 40 under 40 by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

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Collaboration Offers Extended Benefits for Y Members

The Rockford Park District, YMCA of Rock River Valley, and OSF HealthCare held a news conference  to highlight the return of summer aquatic opportunities, and to explain more about a partnership to help area youth learn a critical lifelong skill. 

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YMCA to Receive $750,000

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that she has secured $750,000 for the newly created YMCA Youth Enrichment Center.

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Heart & Sole Triathlon Results

Congratulations to all the athletes who participated in our indoor triathlon today- you're all champions! Thank you also to all our great Y staff and volunteers for helping us host a successful inaugural event. 

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Black History Month at the Y

February is Black History Month in the United States. We've been recognizing the contributions of African Americans every February since 1976, when President Gerald Ford finally made official the movement spearheaded by historian Carter G. Woodson in the 1920s. But to understand how African-Americans made the YMCA into what it is today, you have to go back much further in time.

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Linette Rojas Named 30 Under 30

The YMCA of Rock River Valley is proud to announce Linette Rojas, a personal trainer and group fitness instructor in the healthy living department, has been named to the 2021 YUSA Emerging Leaders Resource Network 30 Under 30. 

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YMCA Facility Closed 11/1

Due to a burst pipe, the SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA will be temporarily closed. The facility has experiened significant water damage. We are working hard to restore the issue and reopen as soon as possible. We thank you for your patience during this closure. 

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YMCA Launches Double Your Impact Week

​The YMCA of Rock River Valley has launched Double Your Impact Week, a fundraising effort to raise $50,000. A generous donor is matching all gifts up to $50,000 for a total of $100,000 to invest into our community.  

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Sauna & Steam Rooms Open

We are excited to announce the re-opening of our saunas and steam rooms at the SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA. 

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New Video: The Y is Forever Grateful for its Donor

The YMCA of Rock River Valley, like many nonprofit organizations, has experienced a difficult year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. With membership numbers down, the Y has looked to donors for extra support to sustain operations and continue impactful programs. 

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YMCA Shares Water Safety Tips

The YMCA of Rock River Valley wants to ensure that water safety doesn’t get lost in our eagerness to return to a “normal” summer. 

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YMCA Honors Local Leaders

​The YMCA of Rock River Valley recognizes local leaders each year who have made an impact in our community. 

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YMCA Launches 2021 Annual Campaign

The YMCA of Rock River Valley has launched its annual fundraising campaign to help ensure that everyone in our community has access to vital programs and resources – especially during these challenging times. 

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Women's Centennial Sculpture at the Y

During Women's History Month, we celebrate the vital role women play in American history. We are proud to be home to the new Women's Centennial Sculpture along the river at the SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA.

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YMCA to Offer Free SAT Workshops

​The YMCA of Rock River Valley is offering FREE workshops to help students polish their test-taking skills and give them the needed confidence boost heading into the SAT.

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Heart Healthy Tips

February is American Heart Month, and as a leading community-based organization dedicated to improving the nation’s health, the Y offers the following tips to help families in our community be heart healthy.

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COVID Update: New Restrictions Begin 11/20

​What truly unprecedented times we are living in! The state of Illinois is moving into Tier 3 mitigations as of November 20. The YMCA remains OPEN for business, but some changes are going to be required. 

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Y Teams Up With Comp-U-Dopt to Give Away Computers

The YMCA of Rock River Valley is partnering with Comp-U-Dopt, a nonprofit with a mission to provide technology access and education, and Rockford Computers for Schools to distribute 100 free computers to Rockford students.

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Ingredients for Safe, Healthy Summer Fun

With long, sunny days upon us, and the reopening outdoor spaces as the COVID-19 pandemic begins to subside, kids and parents are eager to get out of the house and enjoy some of their most cherished summertime traditions and activities. Keep your summer safe, healthy and fun with the tips below.

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YMCA Shares Message of Unity

Words truly feel inadequate as we grieve the injustices perpetrated on members of our nation and community and how some have chosen to respond to the tragic death of George Floyd.

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YMCA Phase 3 Reopening

We are excited to begin to offer limited services in phase three of the Illinois COVID-19 reopening plan.

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YMCA Board Shares Letter of Support

In uncertain times, the Y is still here. For more than 100 years, the YMCA of Rock River Valley has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of the greater Rockford community. And today, our community is going through unprecedented challenges. 

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YMCA Delivering Meals

The YMCA of Rock River Valley, in partnership with Rockford Housing Authority, City of Rockford, Lifescape Community Services and Northern Illinois Food Bank, is delivering food to several area housing developments. 

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YMCA to Close Due to Coronavirus Concerns

The YMCA of Rock River Valley is closing its facilities following the recommendation of the Winnebago County Health Department as it relates to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

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YMCA Community Dinner Touts Inclusion

The YMCA of Rock River Valley hosted its 8th annual YMCA Community Dinner at Giovanni’s. More than 500 people attended the event, which highlighted inclusion services at the Y and the organization’s mission of being a place “For All.”

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Pool Closure Update

We are committed to providing a great experience for our members and that includes making sure our pools are operating properly. 

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Living Healthy Tips During Flu Season

​It’s flu and respiratory illness season and we want our members to remain healthy. The coronavirus spread is causing concerns, so we wanted to take this opportunity to share some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

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America’s Got Talent Musician to Headline YMCA Dinner

The YMCA of Rock River Valley is excited to announce singer-songwriter Mandy Harvey will be the featured speaker at the YMCA Community Dinner presented by Illinois Bank and Trust on March 5, 2020 at Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center. 

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The Y Brings Back Corporate Cup

The YMCA of Rock River Valley is bringing Corporate Cup back to the region. The challenge, which dates back to the 1990s, pits area companies and employees against one another in a series of fun, competitive games.

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YMCA Launches Childhood Obesity Program

The YMCA of Rock River Valley is launching Healthy Weight and Your Child, a pilot program designed to empower children between the ages of 7-13, with the support from their families, to reach a healthy weight and live a healthier lifestyle.

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YMCA to Offer Swim Lesson Scholarships

As part of the Y’s commitment to reduce drowning rates and keep kids safe in and around the water, the YMCA of Rock River Valley will provide scholarships for swim instruction and water safety to children from underserved communities in the Rock River Valley area.

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YMCA Launches 2019 Annual Campaign

The YMCA of Rock River Valley has officially kicked off its annual campaign. The Y raised more than $1.1 million last year and has set out to raise $1.3 million in 2019.

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Stingrays Swim Team State Results

Congratulations to our YMCA Stingrays Swim Team! A total of 21 Stingrays ages 6-18 competed at IL YMCA State Swimming Championships, March 15-17. 

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YMCA Community Dinner – Music to Our Ears

The YMCA of Rock River Valley hosted its 7th annual YMCA Community Dinner at Giovanni’s on March 7. Four awards were presented, an original song debuted and a rock star performance from Brian Vander Ark of The Verve Pipe.

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YMCA Angel Tree

You can help make the holidays a little brighter for youth in our programs.

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Log Lodge Ornaments For Sale

Get your piece of YMCA history for the holidays. We still have YMCA Log Lodge ornaments for sale as part of the Rockford Historical Buildings Ornament collection.

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Musician Brian Vander Ark to Headline YMCA Event

The YMCA of Rock River Valley is excited to announce musician Brian Vander Ark will be the featured speaker at its annual Community Dinner on March 7, 2019 at Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center. 

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YMCA's Michelle Gorham Earns CFRE

​The YMCA of Rock River Valley is pleased to announce CFRE International has recertified Michelle Gorham as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).

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YMCA Celebrates 174 Years

On June 6 the YMCA marks 174 years as more than a place, it is a nonprofit organization that offers programs and services designed to foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

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Log Lodge Ornaments For Sale

We are excited to unveil this year's installment of the Rockford Historical Buildings Ornament featuring the historic YMCA Log Lodge!

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