The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Center Phoenix — Attraction in Phoenix

(It's a cult, not a church that cost me my entire family everything)

Despite the fact that I already had a membership for my wife and I at LA fitness that I payed $2k a year for, to generously support the Kroc Centers mission I signed my entire for for a Family Gold membership. Even through they said the price was was locked in for life they still increased the fees. When I contacted them they basically said too bad.

Also, being that I was not able to work out with my wife and kids due to time and business travel, their staff began to prey on my wife when she was in the club. Also, they began to groomer her, manipulating her and slowly overtime, without me knowing pulled her into there mission.

Then, because she was vulnerable, they began giving her more and more attention, and sucked her in by offering her a job. A job that no one with my wife's former long-term, experience and pay would take, unless brainwashed. They offered , she somehow accepted and started paying her an insulting wage teenage wage of 15 dollars an hour. This is less than MC Donald's, Chipotle, and Panda Expresses minimum wage for completely untrained individuals.

Also, since my wife of 18 years, and love of my life, best friend & life partner of 23 years started working there her personality has completely changed. She went from being a kind hearted, empathetic loving and caring wife and mother. Although, since shes been working their she has become a stonecold, unempathetic, uncaring, and disconnected person to me and our dear children. Her personality changelead to our separation and eventually divorce. Also, I almost have to beg her to take care of the kids.

In addition, since my now ex-wife has been working there she has only take a few days off, and wants to be there all the time, and this is another tell, tell sign that she has been brainwashed and pulled into their cult like environment. I've literally had to take pay for and take care of our kids all summer, every vacation and holiday since she's been working there. My wife is so far gone she didn't even by our kids a single Christmas gift. It's like she is not even the same person, and her former beautiful mind and spirit is gone.

I even tried to reach out to the so called Captains/pastors that run the place to see if they would encourage my wife while we were still married to encourage Christian counciling, this fell on deaf ears, and if anything I believe they discouraged and used as opportunity to take advantage of my ex-wife making her work more hours and pulling her deeper in to their cult. All the while, my dear kids and I watched their beautiful mom and my amazing wife drift away.

More still, I have paid hundreds of dollars for our kids to participate in music, dance, karate and sports their, yet after paying for their uniforms, and sports registration fees, most of the classes get shut down half way through due to lack of participation. Also, forget your kids playing if one of the coaches kids are on the team in the same position. Even if their kid is not as good their kid will play first and more. I tried to get a refund when classes ended early and they refused. Its all about them, their revenue and mission.

The final thing I will say is that while the Kroc is not a real army and have "zero" affiliation to the US military. However, I have learned first hand why they call them self an army b/c just like the army they will take you away from your family, and strip everything that was you away. Then they brainwash you, and make you believe that if you hold on to anything, even your family that you are a sinner. It's all about the Kroc Center, their team, the revenue, their mission and I assure you that they will take everything away from you! So my advance is don't join this scary, ghetto place...

I would give zero stars if I could. The staff is not meant to be around children. My daughters volleyball tournament was held here this morning and I was told that I could not eat my protein bar in the gym. I quickly put it away and apologized but before I could swallow what was in my mouth I was approached by Mrs. Wood's which repeated to me that I could not eat in the gym. I told her I put it away and that I was already told. She proceeded to get in my personal space and threaten to kick my 11 year old daughter out of the gym! She chased me out of the gym and continued to shout in my face. I apologized numerous times as she continued to scold me for the food that had now been thrown in the garbage. This was a power trip of epic proportions. Not to mention I saw dozens of people eating pretzels and sandwiches througout the event. After she attacked me, she kicked another mom out for spilled coffee that wasn't hers then threatened to call the cops. To top it all off she was yelling at the children because they were jumping.....this is volleyball, they jump.

I respect that there is nothing allowed in the gym, which is why I quickly put the bar away. But in everyone's defense, most gyms are not that strict about protein bars or quick food as the girls and parents sometimes have very little time to fuel up.

This was a pathetic example of community and communication. This woman was screaming at kids for being kids and abusing her authority with adults over minor issues. Her threatening to call 911 over coffee is abusing resources needed for important matters. I would not feel safe having my kids here again. If I am forced to be at this location for another volleyball event, I will be very...

Customer service..... I was holding off making the review, hoping I'll forget about it. Last Sunday 7/20 @ 3pm I took my 3 boys (3, 5, and 8). The pool and facility itself was great. They were out of kid life jackets. I understand they walk away and it was busy, So I went ahead and used the larger life jackets. I just tightened the straps as tight as they could go on my children . While doing so I was approached by a lifeguard who asked their ages and proceeded to tell me were they could go. I was fine with that part she's a teen working her post doing her job. Even though I planned on putting everyone in the kiddie area being out numbered 3:1. What I didn't appreciate was her attitude and demeanor at the end of the conversation. She stated my oldest (8) couldn't get in because his life jacket was on wrong. I replied ok could you help me fix it. Her response was "you figure it out" with an eye roll and snicker. First, I believe if you shouldn't address a problem without a solution. Also like I told the Lead lifeguard on duty. If she didn't know how she could've simply said, I dont know how or if its against policy her reply should've been its against our policy. The Lead on duty seemed receptive of my complaint and was polite. However I dont believe it went anywhere else. Im not expecting the little girl to loose her job but she does need more customer service training before dealing with people. Im 40yrs not 17 nor one of her peers. Ive supported the Krock for yrs even during covid and didn't even go. I've been a member of the community my entire life and if people dont want to be bothered send them...