Senior citizens become persona-non-grata at the Weekley Y. Recently our evening water aerobics class was eliminated. In addition, the events and attitudes that led up to cutting this 10 year old program made many of us feel marginalized and discriminated against. We have a brand new pool that no one uses, while the one we use is taken away. I blame poor planning, and a lack of sensitivity for the aging for the demise of this much need program.
I loved the YMCA in Pearland. I had been a member for 16 years, and enjoyed their pool and workout/weight facilities. But due to continued monthly membership rate increases, I was finally forced to go elsewhere. No one seemed to question why the Houston Area YMCA's pay 55% of there gross operating revenues in salaries. Most of these facilities are run by part-time minumum wage college students. They must pay the top administrative people who run these branch quite well. My membership fee had doubled during the 16 years I was a member, and no one seems to ask why? Thats more than the inflation rate. Yes they offer reduced membership rates for people below a certain income level, but just try and qualify. I question whether they should even be allowed to operate as a non-profit organization. Members are asked to fund the salaries of the few.
Review from Guidestar
My family has been members or employees of the YMCA and YWCA for over 90 years. Although the “Y” is a non-profit, we like to have reasonably nice facilities. Fundamentally nothing is free. Ys cost money to operate. Those that pay nothing to use the facilities often don’t take care of the facilities because they have no vested interest. Each the summer our local Y pool becomes a real cesspool. Overcrowded, and utterly revolting. Those that create the situation are freeloaders. As a devote Christian I am all about charity… for those that respect the gift and themselves contribute labor where possible. The Y should not simply be a dumping ground for ill behaved children while their mother takes off to visit a “friend”.
I think when Organizations grow so much they lost the Mission. I realized the YMCA is not for all people withouth an income or a job can't have services at the YMCA. There is not any free program for the low income communities. I have see so many low income people get to the YMCA and not be able to get services for their children. I think they should run the YMCA like a bussiness not like a Nonprofit Organization. Is totaly about money not ablout people.