YMCA
reviews and complaints

> I have been part of the YMCA family for many years, between two locations. I have spent several hours and attended many classes throughout my tenure at the YMCA. I have been extremely satisfied and really enjoyed my workouts at the YMCA.
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> Unfortunately, I needed to cancel my membership due to a career change and could not make it to the classes I throughly enjoyed. I went into my YMCA branch, which is the Gleason YMCA in Wareham, MA and canceled my membership on the 15th of October. I was told my last day I could attend the YMCA was November 1st. Thus, I went to a local gym that accommodates my new work schedule to make sure I can attend a gym. Unfortunately, another month $60 was withdrawn from my account. I called the YMCA and the women explained I have a membership until the end of November. This information was inaccurately explained to me and now I have to pay for two gym memberships for the month of November. As in many families today money is extremely tight and unfortunate before the holidays this happened to me.
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> As an avid supporter in the YMCA it is really unfortunate that this happened and left a sour taste in my mouth. I will no longer recommend the YMCA to friends or family or participate in YMCA events.
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> Due to the staff relaying inaccurate information I am extremely dissatisfied.

On Saturday October 20, 2018, My wife and I attempted to turn in some documents required for membership with the YMCA. The front desk agent was extremely rude and very disrespectful. The agent attempted to open a sealed envelope that was clearly listed as confidential. When my wife asked the agent not to open the envelope and to just make a copy for proof of address purposes. The agent decided to inform my wife and I that it was a waste of time for him to make a copy. The agent also informed my wife and I that on top of him being upset and mad he didn't know how to load paper into the printer or change the ink. I have experienced multiple situations where my wife and I have been disrespected. If your employees that you are hiring can not do there job in a respectable manner. Maybe they should not work in the customer service department.

October 13, 2018 was interrupted while exercising at the Monroe WA YMCA by a front desk staffer who advised that a hold was placed on my account, and she was unable to explain why. I have not received a phone call, or email or notice of any type regarding this.

I have contacted Craig Chambers, Executive Director of the Monroe/Sky Valley Family Branch on several occasions, via text and requested that he provide the reasoning behind this hold, in writing via email. He has not provided the same.

On October 15th I received a phone call from a Y staffer asking me to schedule a time to meet with Mr. Chambers. I advised that I requested the issue be put in writing via email. She advised that I was not to come in to the Y again. To date, notification of what the alleged issue is has not been received.

Please assist me in being notified of what heinous crime I have committed, without my knowledge and without notification regarding the same so that this matter may be resolved. I believe Mr. Chambers has me confused with another member.

Respectfully,
Jean "Jeannie" Anderson-Thompson

They said that they would give my child time to complete her homework and each day she had homework, she came home and asked for help with her unfinished homework. Each day she tried to do her homework they wouldn't let her and instead took them outside where she was distracted by the other children playing. This caused her to fall behind in school. Horrible service!

My son attended a ymca preschool. Before, I was told that they were an inclusive school and accepted children with ieps. The very 1st day they called me upset and told me he had an accident. I explained that it was normal for him to have an accident/regress at a new environment, and he also needed to be reminded/kept on a schedule to use the bathroom. They told me if he had more then he would have to be dismissed. The second day was the same, except they talked to me in person and threatened again to dismiss him right in front of my son. They were not willing to work with him or remind him to go/use the bathroom because they "did not have the staffing available." Yet there were only 3 kids in his class on that day. I made an appointment with the urologist, and also contacted special ed to help. I called the lady in charge of childcare at YMCA Kansas City to see if there were any other steps to prevent him being dismissed, but unfortunately she was not helpful at all and was so rude I was shocked. She also refused to give me the contact info of her supervisor/boss or anyone else.

My daughter and I have had negative experiences at the Wilkes Family YMCA of Wilkesboro. A couple of years ago my da7ghter attended daycamp wherein late in the summer it was brought to my attention that they were indoors at CC Wright elementary and did not do anything. I spoke with the lady in charge at the time Kim who told me nothing could be done about and they were discouraged from using the YMCA facilities because in her words "The membera dont like kids." My daughter and I havent returned due to the negative experience until today we tried to go swimming, we were turned away reportedly due to a summer pool policy where it is member only or member guest only. I am not a member due to the negative experience, but I do live in tbe same town and pay town taxes, I was willing to pay whatever fee was necessary, I spoke with Andrea Vestal on the phone whom told me about the policy, I told her I feel my daughter and I have been treated poorly by this particular facility in at least two different venues, as a member of this community I felt that my concerns are not being addressed and feel we have been treated poorly by a supposed family facility.

The programs and counselors are amazing and deserve 5 stars. However, the program director does not. I spoke to Dallas in the spring and explained that my six-year-old daughter has moments of high emotion and might need extra support. I let him know I was available at a moments notice to give her my support if needed. After a lengthy conversation I was assured she would be welcome. She went for almost two weeks and loved it. Then one morning she had a meltdown because she was sad her friend was in a different group, and she needed extra emotional support from the counselors. I was called to come back, which I did immediately. When I arrived she was in the hallway talking to a counselor and looked like she'd been crying. I thanked the counselor and took my daughter to a room where there were art supplies so we could talk and draw while she worked through her feelings. Dallas came in and said that it had required several counselors to give her support and they didn't have the resources for that. Because of the previous conversation we'd had in the spring, I took it more as a complaint rather than she was being kicked out - my fault, I guess. When she calmed down and wanted to go back in, I took her back to where the kids were playing and she rejoined the program. As I was leaving I ran into Dallas and told him what was happening. At that point he said no, she needs to leave, we don't have the resources to support her. There was no kindness, no second chances. He just kicked a six-year-old out. I had to go get her and drag her out while she sobbed and asked why she wasn't allowed to stay. I wouldn't wish the heartbreak and rejection my daughter felt that day on anyone. I emailed Dallas to remind him of the conversation we'd had in the spring, and told him I was disappointed with the lack of care and kindness shown to my daughter. It's been almost a week and he's never responded. I pulled my older child from the camp, and I don't think we'll return. My son keeps asking why they let kids who bully and hit other children stay, but kicked out my daughter. I have no good answer.

Dates: 7/25/18 and earlier
Where: Glenwood YMCA, Erie, PA has the reputation of having unclean locker rooms, pools, hot tub, etc. It is getting worse.
Dates: March 25, 2018 had a chlorine leak
in pool area -- http://www.erienewsnow.com/story/37801144/chlorine-leak-at-glenwood-ymca-sends-several-people-to-hospital
and 7/25/18 at about 720 a.m. lifeguards ask all to get out of the large lap pool as it was polluted. They had to close it. They cannot seem to get their chemicals operating legally as either the hot tub is closed or one of the pools frequently.
They should be mandated by either Home YMCA or Dept of Health for their pools as well as their locker rooms.

My daughter started working at the YMCA on Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 6/25/2018. She was so excited to work at the program because she adores and loves children. I have never heard my child curse or use foul language, never my family members. I was born in the West Indies and with that, my daughter talks very fast and talks my dialect. The lady at the front desk heard her speaking to another worker, and then accused her of cursing. My daughter told her that she never cursed. The lady reported my daughter to her boss, and without investigating further, they told her to leave and will get back to her. This is very discriminatory and will tarnish her reputation because this is affiliated with the Board of ED. They called her Thursday and told her that she was terminated. This shattered her world. Guilty due to someone assuming you said something when you didn't. She will never disrespect children or adults- I trained her right

My daughter is a member at the YMCA, She came to the facility for the fist time without parents and brought in a guest. The girls were not allowed to use the premises due to under age My Daughter is 16 and My Nice 17(Guest), were told an adult someone 18 or older had to come with them. We came back the following Wednesday June 20th, 2018. Again the same lady did not let us in. At this time she stated that our Guest had to come in with one of her parents to sign for her. The girls were not told this information the Wednesday 6/13/2018. Otherwise I would't had drive 30 minutes one way and put the girls through the same disappointment. I left a voice mail message for the manager at the YMCA In Gainesville, she did not call me back so I called until she answer. The manager was very straight forward about Policy, When I explain to her why I was so upset given the Employees did not explain to the girls about bringing in an adult and not specify a parent needed to be present she not once apologize and when I said I was just going to switch locations she did not care it all.

Our YMCA has become a cesspool. The water is green, the toilets do not flush, the lockers are all rusting away. There is mold everywhere. There is equipment blocking egress of the stairs. Our elevator hasn't worked for about 6 months which has made it so the handicapped people can no longer come. The ladies have taken to bringing their own cleaning products to clean the showers so they can even get in them. The stairs leading into the pool are always broken. The tile floors are so slick several have fallen. The management is oblivious to all our concerns. We need someone who can bring back our YMCA to a usable state. In order to get the exercise machines to work you have to bring your own tools to work on them, thats if you can get around the broken ones. The pool heater is rusting away, it is almost beyond repair. The pool was so cold no one could get in it for three weeks. At any given time you can walk in and find someones child sitting behind the front desk playing on the computer. The lockers in the locker room have people leaving their locks on them year round and not renting them which makes it so there are not enough lockers for other people. If something is not done we plan to go to the board of health over many of the health violations.

P.S. The air conditioning doesn't work in at least half of the building. And there are cock roaches.

We would appreciate someone helping us in this matter please. We are desperate.

Someone worked at this YMCA with my information. Paychecks were processed illegally. I need the paychecks canceled. A police report was filed as well. I have never worked at a YMCA. Approximately a year to four years of paychecks were processed illegally. I have checked my employment history. People were not filed by these people. I appreciate your help.

Earl Persip that works at the pittsfield, MA YMCA should have been fired pulling fake fire alarms went to the district court and filed a harassment against me Darnell G Owens Of 292 north st Apt 302 Pittsfield, MA 01201 his broken in to my apartment i witnessed him leaving a neighbor apartment at night with two other people after a chemical into my bathroom vent i've been poison and they send earl home for a few day and then his back braken in to people aparment like nothing happen i filed a lawsuit of this reported multiple times and he has Karen Davis And Kenneth singleton to wanted fugitives that are wanted by the eastern district of new York US marshals [protected] who call the YMCA pertending to me and EEOC employee's to keep Earls Job Earl was caught damaging the H vac unit on the roof Earl has no business on the roof Earl was to stay off the residents floor 3 and 4 what i caught Earl doing braking the H vac unit then he was trying to blame the residents i was throwing up blood at one point do to Earl poisoning me

I had filled out information regarding my cancellation as I had to move. I did this in February 27. I noticed the payments were still coming out. I contacted the Sampson Family YMCA where I got my membership and spoke to Chellsa Marney. I had proof as well in an email that I had cancelled my membership. She had me send her various emails, take screen shots, and then I was attempting to provide the proof of the paperwork I had filled out as I make copies of everything for this exact purpose. I understand you are a nonprofit company, but when there is legitimized proof provided it should not be extremely difficult to stop the recurring payments when I did everything correctly on my behalf. She discussed with me how they are non profit and that was the rules. She decided to refund my May payment. Through continuing to provide proof She then agreed to provide me with a refund for April as well, even though she was just adament of what the policy and rules were. I understand that there needs to be 15 days in order to cancel. I do not agree for this when there are unforseen circumstances as my husband is an over the road truck driver and an opportunity arose for him in his job, therefore I had to cancel only two weeks after I had signed up. These circumstances should be considered as I paid for the month of March, even though it was due to no fault of our own of a move due to a promotion. I wanted to express disinterest as well as Chellsa did not even say good bye but hung up on me. I realize it was/is close to closing time, but it is never too late to extend politeness and general respect. I will gladly provide whatever proof is needed. I will also save this information as I want to be sure that I am refunded which as I was instructed could take 3 days. Thanks for your understanding. Melissa Russo

My daughter is enrolled in Little Kickers Soccer.The man the supervises the program, Marco allows his daughter to referee, even though she is 12. We had a game this past Sat. The coach of that team we were playing was extremely aggressive, telling his team to use cheating tactics like sliding in to our players to stop them (7 & 8 year old children!) and the parents on the other team were telling their kids to trip our players. Emotions ensued and after the game the other team got more aggressive. My husband finally had enough, stood up and confronted the other team, verbally. Marco then pushed my husband back and told us to leave and then told me yesterday my husband is not allowed at the games anymore. I want to file a complaint against Marco and the YMCA

Dear Sir or Madam,

Approximately one year ago (February 2017) my membership was cancelled with the Berwick YMCA. The reason for this was that I brought my twin daughters with me to the women's shower instead of girl's shower. I did this because the water in Berwick YMCA girls shower was cold and at the time was not functioning properly, making it impossible for my girls to shower there.

One of my daughters, Alexandra (Sasha) has an ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) diagnosis, making things difficult at time, but a manager, Janelle Surkin, did not care and did not want to listen, offer any help or have any understanding. Instead she was rude, unprofessional incompetent, and even threatened me with calling the police in front of my kids. I complained about this very unprofessional and extremely rude treatment of me by the manager Janelle Surkin by your organization over a year ago.

Since that time, I have not visited Berwick YMCA facility with my daughter, but unfortunately, Berwick's management pursues to retaliate.

In March 2018 I stopped at the Berwick YMCA to speak about possibly resuming my membership. Working the front desk was Janelle Surkin, as always, she was EXTREMELY rude with me, she mocked me, insulted and humiliated me, and even pushed my shoulders while talking down to me. I first stated that she should stop touching me and I want to talk only with a manager, Nick Pajovich. During a meeting I stressed again that one of my children has ODD, and swimming lessons work very well for her. My membership was resumed.

I was very unpleasantly surprised later (March 2018) to receive a letter stated that my membership is cancelled again, because my boyfriend with whom I have a separate account and separate membership, violated a rule. I was really upset because my kids were prevented from using the swimming pool (and all facilities) again without even visiting the Berwick YMCA a single time after reinstating of my membership.

I was even more upset when a Children and Youth worker, Brittany, showed up at my door on March 26th, 2018. She said that they (C&Y) received a phone call from Berwick YMCA, who complained and accused me of brining my kids to YMCA to use shower, because allegedly, I have a problem with water at home, and couldn't provide proper care for my kids (stated directly form the case with C&Y). The case was opened and closed the next day after Brittany visited my home. As a professor at Bloomsburg University I assure you, I can afford to use my own shower at my own home every day, of which we have three, and on top of it, I am living in a Lionsgate Apartments where rent payments include all utilities, unlimited. Nevertheless, in my profession I am a held to all mandatory reporting laws concerning children, and if I would have any problems with kids, I can lose not only my local job, but even career. Basically, the management at the Berwick YMCA can theoretically accuse everybody and anybody who takes showers at the YMCA, but they've chosen to accuse only me, which I consider discrimination, and a personal attack against myself and my kids.

On April 23rd, 2018 I was invited to have a conversation with Joe Reinard, the manager of YMCA in Bloomsburg, where I held my original membership. Joe told me that they also received a call from the Berwick YMCA management, who basically wanted my membership in Bloomsburg to be cancelled as well, and questioned my behavior and the behavior of my daughters as they collected information on me. I explained this story, and Joe called me later that day, and said that they have decided not cancel my membership in Bloomsburg, but they cannot help to resume it in Berwick. So, it's obvious that management in Berwick has a lot of free time to chase me down and my daughters and try to block my membership in all possible places and jeopardize my career as well.

One again, I would like to emphasize that the last time I visited the Berwick facilities with my daughters was February, 2017, over a year ago, but my kids and I are still suffering from the Berwick YMCA's managements vendetta, discrimination based on national origin (English is not my first language), disability of one of my children, gossip, and falsified vindictive accusations and retaliation.

I am afraid that Berwick YMCA management will call to Williamsport YMCA (I have to drive one hour to use the swimming pool here with my kids), and to Lionsgate Apartment where my kids and I are living or who knows what their vindictive fantasy will come up next to continue this witch hunt.

With my 5-year-old daughter, Sasha, I am visiting parent-child interaction therapy once per week, we have meetings with our behavior specialist, Lora, and with our case manager, Nikole once per week. Sasha receives TSS help, and Early Intervention therapy in school. We are visiting psychiatrists once or twice per month (in Wilkes-Barre), and several school meetings and appointments, I prepare the girls for school next year. So, as you see I am very busy with my kids, and job. Instead of helping, the Berwick YMCA is creating an unfriendly environment for me and my kids, has called Children and Youth to open an investigation, and tried to turn the staff from the Bloomsburg YMCA against us, all the while trying to make our life miserable by trying to blocking my membership in many places. Could you please help my kids, and me protect us, and stop this vindictive behavior of Janelle Surkin or whoever is calling on her order? I know for sure that all these calls were made from Berwick YMCA.

Summarizing, my last visit to the YMCA facilities with my kids in Berwick was in February 2017, over a year ago. Since that time, my daughters and I have visited the Berwick YMCA ZERO times (except my visit in March 2018 when I spoke to Nick Pajovich about resuming my membership). My membership was resumed and cancelled in March of 2018 (without any violations or visits from my part). A Case with C&Y against me was opened in March 2018, initiated by management from Berwick YMCA. They then attempted to cancel my Bloomsburg YMCA membership in April 2018. Again, my last visit to YMCA facilities with kids in Berwick was in February 2017, over a year ago.

I would like to resume my membership in Berwick YMCA, so my kids can enjoy swimming.

I can provide my original complaint (from February 2017), the cancellation of the C&Y case (from April 2018), and a copy of my child's diagnosis ODD if needed.

I CC this letter to BBB and DRP (Disability Right Pennsylvania).

Sincerely,

DINA

my name is russell fisher. i am an employee of 8 years at the marshalltown, iowa YMCA/YWCA. i am having health issues and have had to take 2 weeks off work. my boss Gary Ross (property manager, marshalltown iowa ymca) has made me feel like work is a very hostile environment where i am not wanted or accepted. i was taken from my position without write up or incident and put on a 6 day a week split shift schedule because that is what the employee before me had set up. that is not ok with me. everyone else was informed and the other employee must have been asked if he wanted my position. i was never asked or even just told this is happening until it was put into effect. there is no documentation of any poor performance on my part. this makes me feel like an outcast at my own ymca. i am supposed to return to work soon and i had an issue with my dr. note not being covered for a couple shifts. the dr, was aware as she had to reschedule my appt. i will get a new note today. my boss gary ross started texting me very rude and accusatory things. saying if i didnt have a dr. note by 9 am its a no call no show. i had already talked to the H.R. manager and said i would be bringing the new note on monday or sooner if able to do so. i am very concerned they are going to make it so uncomfortable for me there that i will have to resign my position. behind closed doors our marshalltown iowa ymca is very racist, biased, and have there own agenda. which doesnt seem to fit the image of a christian based organization. i have no way to get copies of the text messages between myself and gary ross onto this site. but i will keep them stored in my mobile phone, and can show them to anyone who would be looking into this matter. i just want to keep my job, keep my position, and not be made to feel i am a failure at my position when i have never been in trouble for job performance at that position. please! someone help me! i love my job at the ymca and want to keep working for the organization for years to come. my name is Russell Fisher employed in the housekeeping department at the marshalltown iowa ymca/ywca. thank you

I have been going for the YMCA for sometime now and usually don't have problems with my son going to child watch. On 3-27-18, which they should told me before going to a class, that my son is banned due behavioral problems. I told them prior to this that my son have special needs but they don't care. Before this on a Friday when I brought my son into the facility of course he acted out because of sensory overload which causes him to act out. And the bald head man that worked there told the other staff members behind my back that she need to put that child on medication was he was retarded.

due to a series of misfortunate events I became homeless in search to get my life back I was referred to the ymca were they had rooms availble at an affordable price for someone not working. So I got the temp id's needed from my case worker Curtis it was about 4 in the afternoon. Later that evening around 8 I finally made it to the y were I proceeded to check in mind you I have my little serves dog with me. Well in the process the boy helping me told me they didn't allow dogs. I then proclaimed she was my service dog. Is she a service dog or an emotional support dog? Service dog I said well what does she do for you. I didn't know what to say, im sorry I don't understand the question. Anyways long story short I got a room but one as not slowed to have the dog with me, I talked to several People showed them proof that she was a service dog, and the ymca manager I don't care what your paper said you did not answer the questions correctly and it is up to my discretion if it's ok or not and I said no. So I then had to find a baby sitter to watch her Intel I could figure out what to do. I tried emailing corporate, calling them every day for about a week finally I got fed up and went to the corp. Office were I say for 3 hours waiting to be seen, Intel they closed and I was asked to leave. I couldn't believe what was happening here I am trying to pull myself out of this dark place and I just keep getting kicked in the head and to top it all off the lady thAt was watching gazel had to family coming for 2 days for a funeral and one of the boys was allergic to dogs, so I had to come get her. I wasn't sure what I was going to do but on my way back to ymca I started feeling faint, I have low blood sugar and felt like I was going to have a seizure and reluctantly I had to go back to my room with gazelle I needed sugar. I was there do less than 20 min. And went back out. Later that evening staff mocked on my door and told me I had till morning to get out or they would throw me out, and I still Tec. Had 10 days left before the first. I didn't know what to do I just start packing and stay in the room until I finally had to go out to get some food and when I left they lock the door on me, locked me out of my room. I had nothing but my bag with just a en my cash card and 10 dollars. They wouldn't let me get my things, they threatened to toss them, so I called the police 2 different times both times they sided with the z manager and even second time they persuaded her to tell them I threatened her. they then proceeded to arrest me and which I just walked away. how can you do this how can I kick somebody already down. gazelle is a service dog I have a medical condition and I had proof to show them and they ignored me because they didn't believe me they didn't want to hear i, Jenny the ymca manager didn't like me from the moment she met me. she was rude and had attitude to every single person on the second floor. she has done this many times to several different people just in the month I was there. And in my position what am I going to do about it? nothing I have nothing I can't do anything and even when I tried to get help every time I mention the YMCA. So because I'm houseless I am less than and it's up to their discretion to decide whether federal law applies to them or not because I'm homeless. And that is exactly how your treated and how many ymca conduct themselves.

Someone has used my information illegally to employ themselves and process paychecks at ymcas in tn va GA tn FL KY and nc. I have never worked at a ymca. I need the paychecks cancelled. Someone cashed a paycheck from a ymca in georgia. I gave been finding out since November of 2016. I need this issue resolved as quickly as possible. I appreciate your help.