Hal Welsh East Area Family YMCA — Local services in Town of Manlius

My family’s experience was disappointing and disturbing. My son is a happy precious little guy w/Autism. Prior to registering for an “inclusive” child care program (end of May& June) as my husband and I work, we were required to submit my son’s “Medicaid” insurance info due to his disability. We were told this would ‘pay’ for the 1:1. After a couple of days, The “Inclusion Director” said that my son could no longer attend as planned, as he is “too much” she said we would receive a refund (the Medicaid waiver paid for his 1:1... not the child care program) She said he could attend a couple of days a week with multiple staff as his 1:1. I was shocked by her unprofessionalism and lack of empathy, but nothing prepared me for the call I received the following week. She stated my son could not attend the inclusion camp he was registered to attend for 2 weeks in the summer. He was quite excited about attending “camp Iroquois”. We were told he would receive swimming lessons, play games and most importantly be part of a group which he so desperately yearns for. She said it was her supervisor’s decision. I spoke with this woman as well, whom I believe identified herself as the “associate Executive Director”. She was condescending and had me on “speaker”. It was apparent she truly did not care about my son or family. She explained that my son ran into an unsupervised and unlocked pool area and staff had chased him. I explained the door should be locked for ALL of the children’s safety. Her response was “it’s locked now”. We share our experience and hope other families never have to go through this. My son repeats almost everything that is said to him. He is still (1 month later) reenacting his...

My two boys (one is 18 other is 11) always goes to the ymca, my oldest trains my youngest for basketball they both work hard at it. Honestly good young boys that want to go to this facility instead of hanging in the streets playing ball. The last couple weeks my oldest that has a membership says they won’t let them in and when I asked why he says my 11 yr old has to get a membership so he brings the card to pay and they turn them away saying they can’t accept cards, then they bring cash and they turn them away and say they need exact change, now they turn them away again. I just called and the young lady that answered said again my youngest needs a membership I told her they have the money to get him one, she says oh he needs a parent they’ve been there together alone over a dozen times and my oldest is 18 so why is it an issue now. I asked her for the managers extension she transferred me I called her back and said I asked you not to transfer me I want the extension and she finally gave it to me. Don’t get me wrong I want to think that it has nothing with my son’s being Hispanic/ African American but how come she has an issue with my son’s going now when they’ve been there before. It’s so frustrating that an excuse after an excuse was made just to not allow someone in to a place that they’re paying and willing to add another membership for. If it wasn’t for my boys wanting to go here I would tell them to keep the membership but their Dad is on his way to settle this madness. Disappointing to think your children want to go to a safe place and still have to deal...

I’ve been a member for 12 years. Mary Beth is extremely rude, unfriendly, and miserable. While working out during the busiest time, I had my bag with me as all the cubbies were full. Instead of politely asking me to move it, she aggressively interrupted me, told me I needed to move it immediately, to which I responded yes in a moment. She went on to tell me not to finish my set and move it immediately, or she would. I then articulated I did not appreciate the way she was speaking to me, which she ignored and moved closer to my face and continued telling me I could leave or move my bag. I have multiple witnesses to this event. I appreciate when people have a job to do but I have never been treated so poorly by staff, let alone a director.

Another piece of advice, as I myself have trained for four years and am an avid fitness participant, please request tangible ACE/NASM certifications before signing up for personal training at...