North Suburban YMCA wins multiple Readers' Choice Awards

The charity-based North Suburban YMCA was recently honored with eight category wins in the Daily Herald's Readers' Choice Awards, taking the prize for best swim school, camp, sports camp, art studio, bar/bat mitzvah venue, dance studio, fitness center and gym, and kids birthday party venue. The award winners are determined by votes from readers.

For over 50 years, the NSYMCA has brought neighbors together to learn, connect, and celebrate. The Y's mission is to serve the community while continuing to adapt to its ever-changing needs, from providing community support like sponsoring blood drives and flu shots to social responsibility initiatives like hosting food drives and offering diversity and inclusion initiatives. Serving the entire community with fitness, youth, and senior programs, the Y also supports individuals with special needs, from peer-mentored dance classes to the popular Special Olympics swim team, and runs a free Y.E.S. (YMCA Education Series) that welcomes local experts on health, personal finance, law, and other topics for public workshops.

"We're humbled and grateful to receive recognition as the 2022 Readers' Choice in eight categories," said Kathy Fielding, CEO of the NSYMCA. "This had been an on-going effort, led by our devoted and enthusiast staff who strive to support our members, the community, and our charitable mission. The Y remains focused on serving others for the greater good, anticipating needs before they arise, and creating new programs and services for those that need it most for generations to come."

The NSYMCA's Readers' Choice Category wins include:

• Best Fitness Center/Gym: Y membership has flexible, affordable pricing that includes free unlimited fitness classes such as yoga, pilates, zumba, and spin classes. Personal training and virtual options are available.

• Best Dance Studio: The Y's North Suburban School of Dance combines artistic expression with physical well-being for students from preschool to adult.

• Best Swim School: The "Gold Standard" aquatic program features multi-lingual instruction to ensure that children from all backgrounds have the chance to learn water safety.

• Best Day Camp/Best Sports Camp: The Y's flexible, enriching and fun day camps, afterschool programs, and early childhood education classes, offer rewarding experiences that promote learning and social skills.

• Best Art Studio: Visual arts classes run the gamut from pre-school playtime to advanced digital media and adult technique programs.

• Best Bat/Bar Mitzvah Venue: The Y features superb party rooms, rental equipment, onsite set-up, and party packages to accommodate any event.

•Best Kids Birthday Party Venue: Parties for outdoor, preschool, and sports are available.

For information, visit www.NSYMCA.org, call (847) 272-7250, or stop by 2705 Techny Road, Northbrook for a tour.