YMCA
Reviews and Complaints

I LOVE going to the Y. You have so many wonderful choices to keep you healthy and the staff at the Mill Creek and Monroe sites are really nice people and very helpful! My experience with water aerobics is that there have been wonderful instructors during the 1-1/2 years I have been going. There is just one of the instructors who isn't in the right place! Her name is Betty. She is a very nice person but has NO rhythm and no flow. She does things sitting on a chair that you cannot do in the water. I am sure she is not the right person to be teaching a water aerobics class. Many of the regulars on Friday have complained but nothing changes. About half of the class just stopped going on Fridays and that is really sad. There must be someplace at the Y that she would fit into better!

The experience that my family and I have had with the YMCA in Wilkes County, North Carolina, is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. From a false accusation to my children being escorted off the property by police officers, to my whole family being banned and an ongoing legal battle, that was the 'Thank You' I received from them for giving back to the community by using their gym to offer complimentary basketball practice to local kids during Christmas break. The executive director, Caroline Whitson, and her superior, Mr. Darryl Head, are two of the most disgusting people I have ever encountered. Director Whitson fabricated a false accusation and literally has tried to destroy my life. If it happened to my family, yours might be next.

My YMCA Membership was recently terminated. No reason was given except something concerning a police report was mentioned. The Director requested a meeting, which I attended. I was asked about a particular incident involving another member who accused me of trimming his beard without his permission. For no apparent reason, the member accuser was not invited to the meeting. I asked the Director why, and his answer was not appropriate. The Director interrogated me to the point in which I felt very uncomfortable with his questions and I chose to end the discussion...Before I left the meeting, I was informed by the Director I was no longer welcome at his facility, and my membership had been terminated.

Dear YMCA Corporate Team,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to bring to your attention an ongoing issue at the Garrett Rd. YMCA location regarding the sauna, which has unfortunately been out of service for an extended period.

As a loyal paying member of the Garrett Rd. YMCA, I have greatly valued the amenities and services provided by your organization. However, the current situation with the sauna being unavailable for an extended duration has been disappointing and inconvenient.

Heat therapy, especially through sauna sessions, is an essential part of my fitness routine and an important factor in my overall wellness. The absence of this amenity at the Garrett Rd. location has led me to consider alternative options, such as visiting other YMCA locations or fitness centers like LA Fitness that offer similar amenities.

I understand that maintenance issues can arise unexpectedly, but the extended downtime of the sauna is impacting the quality of service and experience at the Garrett Rd. facility. Therefore, I kindly urge you to prioritize sending a technician to promptly assess and repair the sauna at the Garrett Rd. YMCA.

Ensuring that the sauna is in proper working condition will not only benefit current members like myself but also contribute to maintaining the high standards of service that the YMCA is known for. Please take swift action to address this matter and communicate any updates regarding the repair process.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue. I look forward to your prompt response and the restoration of the sauna at the Garrett Rd. YMCA.

Warm regards,

Byrd

[protected]

So let me get this straight. I'm order for my kids to be active in the winter at the new bremen oh ymca.. I need to pay for and sign them up for programs because that's the only was to utilize the facility from after school hours until 745 8 at night? So a membership payment of 73 dollars a month is only enough to take my kids to enjoy the ymca experience on the weekend. This is not okay and I will be canceling my membership.

Front desk employees are rude and don't assist customers correctly. When opening a Membership in Asheboro YMCA, employees tend to charge you for a wrong amount, give you inaccurate information and will change your Membership policies without previous notice, making you look bad in public when it is their mistake. The membership director King doesn't know how to address this inconvenient effectively, intimidating customers and making them feel targeted. Someone needs to do something about it, we need change.

We, the customers, don't have control of the membership category they enroll us in their system. Our responsibility as customers is to provide our info and pay the amount agreed at the beginning of our contracts. It is illegal to change policies, especially prices, once we have started our memberships. It is their responsibility to train the staff and keep a transparent register of their members. It has happened twice to me already, first one last year in 2023 with my family and again now in 2024, when they were supposedly rectifying their mistake so I could finally be in the right one. They keep giving me a wrong membership and stopping me at the entrance, telling me that my membership doesn't look good when it is their responsibility to enter the correct data on their systems. This behavior is wrong and should be audited as soon as possible.

This is real life, they cannot play with customers, as members, we want to be able to exercise without worrying that they are messing up again with our memberships. If they make a mistake, they should keep their word because their professional credibility as an institution is at risk. I would like to receive an apology for all the harm caused by their negligence instead of Kings' wrong behavior of believing that they have the reason when there are several alerts ⚠️ that something is not ok with their administration and the care they show for their customers.

This evening I experienced a violation of the code of ethics, discrimination, and lack of efficient communication from the manager. English is not my first language, so I am so lost for English words now that I am having a hard time thinking over the trauma I had experienced with communication. However, I was told by the manager that a representative from their leadership will be contacting me via email. I will be waiting to hear from the Downtown corporation office in the meantime.

On January 4,2024 I went to the Hammond Family Ymca on 7322 southeastern Ave Hammond Indiana to play some basketball with my niece. I have a membership and so does she but I left my card at home so the lady looked up my account but my niece account was not paid up. The lady informed me that the account needed to be paid up in order for her to be admitted to play ball. I asked the lady if I can get an guest pass for her. The lady told me that they don't have any guest passes at first then after I said no guest passes she changed it to I have to be the parent in order to get a pass. Why lie about the guest passes to begin with? I will be cancelling my membership on Feb 1,2024 because I don't like being lied to I guess she nor her co-workers read the Ymca rules or what the Ymca standards for. They could have said guest passes are for 18 years and older but to say they don't have any was a flat out lie.

After going to Monica McKinley about the violated dress code of staff member in charge of Fitness and Marketing Director - Thomas E. Hannah Family YMCA Mary-Ladd Watts Yonkman explaining that all her private areas would show thru workout panty hose like outfit (gross and appearing to be soliciting) I was told this was not proper dress code for any member or employee of the YMCA. This Fitness and Marketing Director was not suspended or fired for a year. Monica McKinley Branch Executive Director - Thomas E. Hannah Family YMCA favors the opposite sex regarding following the policy of giving a verbal or written warning. In fact over the past year Mary-Ladd Watts Yonkman has dressed this way in front of Monica McKinley and members with no action taken, When i MENTIONED THAT IT WAS GROSS. I was suspended for a year from the YMCA with no warning or no warning letter. I have not heard from Rick Callebs yet regarding this matter.

I said something inappropriate to a Moody YMCA lifeguard during Covid lock-down. We were all isolated, and for members with mental illness, it was an especially hard time. I am not even sure that what I said was wrong, but the Director, Nick, called me on the telephone while Mica listened in and said very little. He did not request a private meeting but threatened to end my membership. We "made up" and I continued to swim. I ended my membership to join a country club. I have decided to return to rejoin, but to our shock, we have been banned. Nick has ghosted me (recently discussed in a NY Times article of this cruel practice) and has not responded to my request for my husband and me to return.

1. On Nov 21,2023 I Romone Thomas-Warner

A member happen to arrive at the Columbia YMCA on Board Street 2. When I arrived at there was a male staff member out side and a young lady who was working the front desk I sure his or her staff member names 3. But I approached the young ladie inference to using a basketball which is a reasonable piece of equipment available to me and other members at t he Y under the insurance or what ever program that allows this process.4. when transition my id and going threw the process of giving the young ladie my ID I Romone Thomas-Warner finished using the equipment so I went to return and I did return there was the male who was out side who who did not transition my Driver License but he was in charge of the desk and the young ladie was were ever she was in the facility I request my DL from the staff member at the front desk when I handed the other member the basket ball to make sure there was no conflict of me using the equipment and returning as asked.5. The staff member never given me my DL I gave the staff the impression that the other member would like to use the ball which the other staff member was present while showed the s taff I giving him the other member the basketball inexchange they conducted the same transition in the process of being a member and staff.6 The male staff member went to alledgely go and hand me my DL but he could find it. 7. He stated he was able to locate my DL which could have been a problem but me being a presentable young man under stood that he was not the staff nember who taken my DL it was the young ladie staff who was responsible or at least the young ladie who I exchange with during the transition process..8 I went to Fresh Grocery grab a few things and returned when I return this maintenance man clearly stated What sup Romone I politely stated nothing in return because I never spoken to him and I that just it.9. I addressed the staff who I spoke with concerning the matter at hand and respectfully asked if he happen to find my DL becuase I had somewhere to be... before the male staff I spoken to about the matter could answer.. the same male staff member that said what sup Romone not sure of his name rudely interrupted from my I understanding the staff is general maintenance guy supervisor or what so ever was not aware of nothing that taken place with the other male staff or female tranaction but again jump in to the matter of me not get my personal DL back.10 the matter or concern was not his place and did not authorize him to state anying to me for not receiving my DL. CONCERNING MY DL AND IT THANKGIVING IN TWO DAYS... What he's addressing isn't relevant untill my DL is located he states did you order one on line from penndot10. Which again he dose not know what going on or should not had any infomation concerning a matter already handle or at a stance of being communicated 11. I politely but I stated stop talking to me period becuase he stating all the wrong things referring to my ID..12 he felt some type of way I went where I was going in t o the y room to enjoy my item...12. He come addressing me to tell me about his place in the facility like I address him as a member about he know noghing about me and it not his place so t hints is out of line he addressing me again about something I stated in respect I can state that stop talking to me becuase my personal identification is missing...13 that it thing are now out context becuase he don't know how to let the communicated staff work out the matter properly with t he preserved steps when there things that suppose to be properly handled are misplace and express to the member who is me that the staff inst here anymore what so ever we d o our best to locate the DL.14 in addition to the matter at hand that inconvenient t o me a member I now in the office of three different staff member who I spoke to one in front of the maintenance man and expressed again my issues that being complaint about I expressed my side but again the executive questioning me about oth er matters that was not handle in the proper manner and now conspired to me having to speak on situation that shall have not occurred or had no place but on the staff member side and not me having to be directed to state anything but of the complaint or chain after not properly address the staff at fualt... I properly filed complains after the staff express there side which doesn't have a base to state anything to me as a member but of the male staff are conspiring and harassing me from filing the first complaint in reference to me using the rest room and now my DL being misplace which they are stating I have to return tomorrow 11/22/23 it my driver I can not drive but I am to return tomorrow it 11/21/2023... (I filed a complaint with the philadelphia police...in reference to both situation..

11/8/2023 10am Monica Mckinnly branch director called Theodore Koppe to come into her office today. I was told while she was gone that there were complaints about conversations with other members.

I was never told by anyone about the subject was a problem. Personal or other than personal. I have many members tell me about their lives and I do not complain. I even ask if the topic is ok and am told yes.

I sense that this is a racial issue due to the fact that when I turn in a complaint on an individual 5 times that is breaking the ymca rules in the presence of staff as well as on video in the pool area that do not act and the person is of another race. The person is given a warning after 5 times.. This is because the person is not white. There are other signs of the racial problem of topics this race discusses. My identity is given and theirs is not.

About one month ago I Romone Thomas-Warner was using the gym and there a 15 minute warning to gather things due to client or customer care and services, I went to use the bathroom with no shower due to the awareness of the giving time, when I went pass the first bathroom which accommodate a shower and other usage amount of toilets one of the employee went into that bathroom that was nearest to the location I was at, I exit the lighted area and use the one bathroom to the nearest exit due to the timing. REMIND YOU I am trying to be fair In the manner of time of the 15 minute warning. When I used the second bathroom closest to the exit the same employee indirectly acted like he was confronting me stating something I kind of heard but didn't and walk out.. I zip my pants didn't get a chance to wash my hands and first thing he stated I not gone theating him, me and this guy had word I said something but only do to the way of the swiftly addresses statements. remind you it a week end so not many staff are there and I was not the last client in there... so bother me in a different way becuase I was being respectful and polite if it was a problem I should be address but there where no problem but of me and him having words after the swiftly statement and confrontations... several day pass on that Tuesday I was confronted by this man name Reg again with anther staff we discuss the alledge issue with reg I can't say me but we spoke... the gentle man still doesn't no his name but we discussed me leaving that day and can return the following.. I took serial days off from the y at my own discrection... but this staff member is deterating my character and it not suited for the environment... it kids at this y and many great programs for everyone... I had to swiftly be confronted and in a conversation that only discipline me as the client and it bother me becuase there are kid or children who use this space and I don't want reg to try these same tactics on those children boy or girl like he cuase on me and now I am making a complaint for that reason... staff are integrating me and he not getting any discipline if he like the opposite sex and due to my condition as living this Man don't really have nothing to lose but to cuase me to lose my membership which suitable for me and any other who having just a slight living situation... furthermore my complaint shall also be in good manner to thank you guys also becuase it big to me becuase I have Honor and it messes up my relation with children but thank again. This isn't the first time this man been trying to confront me or talk to me... the first to incident I said nothing about him saying I not sharing my food... and he try taken a shower on the same time as me which I tried not to think nothing of it...

I would like to report Miss Nikki, who works at the Townley Elementary school after school program. In addition to being inattentive, she is rude and out of place with her comments. I was on my cell phone, in my car, talking to a friend whose granddaughter had JUST died in a very tragic auto accident. Miss Nikki saw me on my phone and told my grandson that he needs to tell his grandma that the Y is not a babysitting service and she is to come get him as soon as she gets there. To stay off her phone. Also, to pick up my grandson I knock on the door and the worker opens it and hands me the check out device. Instead of holding the door open Miss Nikki lets go of it and it hits me and almost knocks me down. This has happened on more than one occasion. She is not friendly nor outgoing. She is rude, impatient, and inattentive to the kids.

Lake Houston YMCA

Easier for me to give you a list:

1. Incorrect signup date. I received emails stating that the season was going to start in one week however the front desk rep said that it was three weeks away. Fortunately, I signed my son up early.

2. We received a practice and game schedule that was full of errors. One of the practices was for October 9 (Columbus Day) and we all received a Player Space reminder. When we got to the field, a rep came onto the field and told us to get off because they were closed and she had to lock up the parking gate. The practice was never rescheduled.

3. One of the games was canceled. And no parent was notified. They said that it was too wet however, the field was absolutely dry. They told us that the game would be made up, however, it was NOT!

4. Three of the game times were incorrect. The schedule that Player Space provided us was incorrect. We had to wait one day over an hour in the 100-degree heat. My son has a medical condition and he could not wait in lthe extreme heat.

5. The next games were also incorrect, however, we knew this ahead of time and we didn't have to wait for long in the heat.

6. Several games were played without a referee. They just didn't show up so the coaches had to coach and ref at the same time.

7. The last two or three games were played without a chalked field.

8. Before our 3rd game, your Rep brought out three additional players to add to our team. We already had 10. That meant that all of our current players could only play less than one-half.

9. Communication was beyond horrible. Nobody answered the phone. Messages were not returned. Emails were not answered etc.

11 And to top all of that off, the kids did not even receive medals. We have played flag football for five seasons and the kids always received a medal.

12. I am sure that there are several other problems but I am sure that these should be suffice.

****I'm sending this report to you. I would appreciate it if someone who is in charge of the Lake Houston YMCA. We are done trying to work with the staff at that location.

Pete Poindexter (Lucas Poindexter's father)

[protected]

My children and I have been members for years and have gone swimming for years with no issues. Today, we went to our local YMCA like normal. My son never needs a life jacket as he is almost 5ft tall. He is only 9 but almost taller than I am (his mother). He can also swim. Today they told me he had to wear a life jacket or pass the swim test, even though he was staying right next to me. They were very rude to me (First Lady came up and said he did not need one so long as I stayed with him which I did) next one was very rude and said he had to have one. So he decided to take the tests bc the jackets are too small and the adults joke him bc he is so large that the childrens don’t fit him. He has very bad anxiety over things and will not jump into a pool or climb down ladders. He said he wanted to go through the water to do the test but they were mean to him and made a face about it when he said no to the ladder. They told him he had to use the ladder. I went over and said that he does not use ladders. (He is a tall 9 year old and has not got used to his long legs and he broke his leg last year so he is a bit unsteady on it) but they would not let him refuse the ladder. They also said he had to float in his back for 5 minutes to pass the swim test! Which is ridiculous. He had never needed to float in his back for 5 minutes to pass the swim tests. He has only ever needed to swim two laps. They were mean to him and very rude to him. When he got decided not to do it and walked off the life guard hollers after him repeatedly “Hey kid when you going” in a mocking tone. They need to be taught how to behave to children who are a little different.

First off, I can tell how useless this complaint of mine will be handled since the YMCA has resolved a paltry 39 complaints and hasn't resolved 296!

For years my grandchildren have enjoyed the YMCA open swim times and the 2 playrooms at Westside YMCA as well as the large climbing room at the Pittsford YMCA. Young children having fun with others, what could be wrong in promoting that healthy, family style activity. Found out this morning that YMCA has changed their policy to program based only activites in those play/swim areas. See desire for more money$ via programs and paid memberships at that exclusion of others that cannot afford an entire membership.

Shame on you YMCA, your previous wonderful history of including all people in a healthy family environment has been replaced by greed. Shame on you!

9/5/2023

I have been going to the Yfor over 10 years, then covid came, now I have been back since March. I have paid for the Les Mills, which I love.
The problems is I am paying for these classes and half the time the vitual class is not working so home I go.
I just went to take my class and there is a board meeting, so home I go.
Our classes have been stopped for machine not working, meetings, school pictures, and whatever the room is needed for but not for paying memebers, If it wasn't for Les MIlls I would go to the two gyms down the street. As much as I was happy I would never refere anyone to the Y classes.
Why should we have to pay if we don't get what we can for?

Mel Korum YMCA in Puyallup, WA, Poor Christian deportment!

Front desk associate berated my Mother, a 70 year old woman, who said she could not hear her, as the associate is leaning down speaking to the floor instead of to her. Now we have a block on our account, unable to utilize the YMCA that we are paying for. unable to remove the block until we talk to the Senior Customer Service Agent, who is on vacation. Very poor service!

3 showers... 1 dollar tree shower curtain, and 1 handle for the showers. You take the handle off and go shower to shower with the handle turning on the water so you can find which shower has the hot water. Ceiling panels missing. MOLD AND MILDEW all over walls and ceiling as you can see in the pictures. Also have video that was sent to health department. When I asked about the bathroom getting clean 3 months ago I was told to be patient. Fast forward 3 months this is what are YMCA bathrooms and showers look like. 💩

The place is so nasty and unhealthy.