Jamaica YMCA — Local services in New York

Ymca member on and off since 1976. This local has undergone many changes over the years. Right now since the onset of the pandemic many amenities like the steam room and sauna that members really enjoyed have ben indefinitely suspended. The costs of general membership has continued to rise causing many longtime members to flee to cheaper clubs who are charging less than half the price of what the Y is charging. Some not all of the staff are very disrespectful and dismissive of members. Upper level management are a lot better than some of the folks they hire. I have kept coming since the re-opening on Oct 5th because it is very convenient for me especially with the winter approaching. However if full services are not restored within the next two months I to will be moving on. The Y is usually empty in the morning when come and when i return home from work I look with curiosity to see if anyone is in the work out area and I never see anyone. If these trends continue I can only assume that the general membership will soon be cancelled. I have reached out to the executive director with my concerns through his email address over two months ago ,but have yet to receive any kind of response. Loyalty should not be treated so shabbily . Many staff members are rude and disrespectful not all but some especially the young workers. One Saturdays a young black women came walking into the mens locker room a Y staff member holding something without any explanation walked through the locker room . When I asked the front desk he explained that she was doing a security check ? People off the street come in ask to use the bathroom and the security lets them come into the mens locker room. The people who come down walk around looking to steal something and or break into a locker's have seen it. There is no security downstairs at all .boys use the mens locker room . Leaving ones belongings in the locker room is very dangerous ,as the Y clearly states that they are not responsible...

I am a homeless artist - activist living in the YMCA on Parsons in Jamacia Queens, know for fighting systemic oppression within the shelter system.

6 shelters, 10 months, 3 assaults. I’m a painter known for giving free painting in exchange for clothes, food and toiletries to the homeless people

While my issue hasn’t been with the YMCA.

There is a staff member by the name of Robert who works in the cafeteria who lacks compassion & empathy.

Often times rude and combative with the homeless people during meal time hours.

On several occasions has denied food for homeless people not wearing mask.

As well as even when a homeless person is wearing a mask and ask for seconds, he denies them food.

Today a member of the community delivered meals to me to share with others. When I ask him for plates and utensils, he said no.

This is an on going issue, I am imploring all residents to complain against mistreatment from staff, by way of city complaints.

We are to be treated fairly and with compassion and respect.

Are we to eat with our hands, when there is a fully stocked cafeteria? Is this part of the mission of the Young Men’s Christian Association to make people feel as though they can’t ask for help or they will be turned away?

Sad that I am fight for the injustice of having access to paper plates and a plastic spoon, when there are a million things I could be fight.

An addition I witness a shelter client gift Robert with a box of tea.

If he is enforcing rules set by facility of not giving utensils.

He is most certainly breaking code of conduct and policies set by the YMCA by accepting gifts...

The weight room on the bottom floor is small and missing a few key dumbbells, but it is clean and has equipment ( i.e. a trap bar) that less expensive, corporate- owned gyms nearby do not have. There is a room on the entrance level devoted to cardio, one devoted to weight machines, a room to stretch in, and a basketball court. There is a swimming pool on the bottom floor. The staff I have met so far, are respectful and kind. Most of the patrons, so far, seem hard-working and thoughtful, but there are more than a few who play their music without headphones, which is obnoxious, not to mention, against YMCA policy. Overall, seems warmer and friendlier than the other gyms/ workout spaces, near by. Also, a steam room and a sauna. The place has a solid vibe and is a plus for the diverse Jamaica,...