U.S. Rep Lauren Underwood joined YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair, Salvation Army Corps Administrator Envoy Scott Hurula, and Major K. Kendall Mathews, Associate Chicago Area Commander, for a check presentation on Wednesday (Photo Courtesy of the Salvation Army).
Families in Joliet will soon have access to new learning opportunities, thanks to an $850,000 grant awarded to the Greater Joliet Area YMCA by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funding will help establish a family innovations lab and a STEAM-focused after-school program at The Salvation Army of Joliet.
Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, who played a key role in securing the grant, joined YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair, Salvation Army Corps Administrator Envoy Scott Hurula, and Major K. Kendall Mathews, Associate Chicago Area Commander, on Wednesday for a check presentation.
The grant will provide the needed facility upgrades at The Salvation Army of Joliet.
The new facility will include:
- A computer programming and coding lab featuring robotics and 3D printing.
- A fine arts studio for painting, sculpture, vocal and instrumental music.
- A video production studio equipped with green screen technology.
- A maker space where families can explore and create together.
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA will staff the program during after-school hours and expand services from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer as part of its day camp program. The Salvation Army of Joliet will provide additional programming, including specialized ministries for men, women, and families, as well as nutritional support through its Healthy Food for All initiative.
The project builds on previous collaborations between the YMCA and The Salvation Army, particularly their efforts to support e-learning during the pandemic and summer programming for children. With this latest investment, both organizations aim to give local families greater access to technology, the arts, and hands-on learning in a space designed for innovation and creativity.
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