YMCA
Reviews and Complaints

YMCA has to little equipment you spend a lot of time waiting on machines and benches to use and you do not get to play basketball because they have like 6 balls (cheep ### people) a company so big should supply the right gear for the over priced memberships and some of the people there are rude and when you lose your swipe card you have to pay 5$ for a new one that's bull ### for me having a swipe card makes their job easier and i got to pay for that you should get 2 cards a year included in the membership. Also most of the staff don't do much they talk and hang out don't help with problems waste of money use that to buy more equipment for the YMCA even you can get them to host events (that's if they not to lazy) well that's my rant i hope that YMCA dose quality checks on the franchises.

I had originally applied to be a life guard back 8 months ago... Due to red cross certification board messing up my certification I was denied employment not to mention the aquatic director also sent inappropriate emails to my college email and 3 days later I was told not to return to the ymca when the aquatic director of that branch was out of line and stepped out of his boundaries never mind I wasn’t even an employee.. They told me that I was not employable due to lack of certification when in fact the red cross contacted them the athletic center which I took my certs contacted them to tell them that they messed up on my certs and had to resubmit them on top of that the ycma had also sent emails to local ymca telling them not hire me due to lack of certification when in fact I had proof that I was on the roster sheet and paid for my certs and that the certs had to be resubmitted so because of emails and unprofessionalism I now have possible pending law suit with this yucca if they still deny me employment

They went ahead and charged my credit card for a membership I stopped. And they aren't going to refund my money because they lost there paperwork. They basically called me a liar. They told me they are keeping my money and there is nothing I can do. Well there is. This is how it is going to start. I will do everything in my power to let the world know about the YMCA in council bluffs Iowa.

When I bring my children (2 & 3 yrs old) to the Jordan YMCA 80% of the time there are "children" over 5' playing in the area for children 4'6" & under. I have complained multiply times to front desk. My 3 yr old has been cornered in the play area by older kids and nothing was done about it. This last time I complained to 3 different ppl about older kids in child area: lady at front desk, lady at members desk and a lady who said she was in charge of service. Not one person ever walked back to play area to remove teenagers from play area. I am about ready to quit my membership since my children can not be safe to play in an area designed for their age group.

My name is Noah Buell and I am very angry with the YMCA residential service I recieved in Columbus, Ohio. I lived their for about 6 months, I gave them them a 30 day notice when I found another place to live, I gave them their keys back on the day before the last day of the 30th day. They said they would send my deposit to me in a few weeks, now its over a few months, I stop in and they say I didnt turn my keys in, when actually I did, because while the lady was puttin my keys back I had to fill out a dumb survey about my stay, and the only reason I would be behind the desk to do a survey isIF I WAS TURNING IN MY KEYS! I can't believe this, if they think that I am a crackhead like their normal clients then they are sadly mistaken, I want my deposit. They don't want to check the security tapes either which will prove my claim.

I have lived in west london ymca for over two years. I would not like to disclose which Ymca as i am scared it might lead to other things. Since living in ymca i had an incident where i was assaulted by another resident. i have taken the matter to the management however i did not get any help i received a warning letter which i felt was right. The management did not investigate the matter before i just received the letter. Furthermore the incident involved 5 people its only 3 who received the letter. i have made a formal complain in regards i receiving warning letter. i particularly complained about the person who sent me the letter as she did not investigate the matter before issuing warning letter which i find unprofessional. i meet the manager she said she will investigate the matter and will get back to me which she did not. i was not aware of the complain procedures an also the complain forms are not easily accessable. Many people would have complain but are affarid of the consenquences that will follow.
I was not happy with how my complain was dealt with and did not get positive outcome.
i made another complain in regards nominations. i was advised if i get work, and live in ymca for the period of 18 months i would be nominated and also pay my rent regularly. to confirm my employment i brought my contact and a letter to confirm my start date. my contract clearly state when i will be paid which was monthly and every end of the month. no member of staff told me paying in arrears was not acceptable i have not received a letter in regards the matter. As i live in a supported living and there are staff who are there to help i expected to be helped. i was once put forward for nominations but wasnt given as the opportunity went to someone who lived there over 2 years. At that point i lived in ymca over 18months.i have fulfilled the criteria for nominations. i was told i was going to be put on the next one. I felt i was let down as i have fulfilled the criteria and yet did not get the chance.
As the next nomnations was approaching my rent account was in mess no one bothered to check and even to rectify the error on time. i paid full rent every end of the month. the staff made error. i was told to pay the accured arrears. in thats point i was not advised to pay the whole amount in full as it would affect my nominations. i paid the accured arrears. my rent account error happend 4 month ago. This shows the accounts are not checked quickly enough. i paid only the accrued arrears as it was for month ago. i was not told at that point that i had to pay the the accrued and my rent for that month. As far as i knew i always paid in arrears. i was not advised differently. i was asked to provide some documents for the nominations at that point staff knew my account was in arrears and did not tell me in advance that will affect me. After nomination i was told i was not successful as i was in arrears i was upset. i felt it was a set up as staff knew before why didnt they tell me. I protested the reason i complained as a result received a letter of eviction. The reason for the eviction tenancy expired. if that was the case my tenancy expired 2 months before receiving the eviction letter. i have not received any warning letter saying my tenancy was about to end. i fell i was not supported enough. Some of the staff are not approachable. I felt this was personal issues in relation to previous complain. there are people who live in this ymca over 3 years why does the rule varies. They say its a 2 years stay. i fell when it comes to nominations the staff do not follow who fulfill the criteria but follow their own choice.

(ymcalsw)
‘move on house’
16, victoria avenue
Surbiton
Surrey
Kt6 5dw
24.11.11

(formally of)
(ymcalsw) hostel
49, victoria road
Surbiton
Surrey
Kt6 4ng

To: chief executive office
Ymca england
29-35 farringdon road
London
Ec1m 3jf

I am writing this letter as a formal complaint regarding the conduct and behaviour of your staff, based in the surbiton office. I also request responses via email only, in light of my issues documented throughout complaint.
Issues discussed will be:
Confidentiality
Bullying & harassment
Entrapment
Discrimination
Ostracization
Neglect

Initial interview
Confidentiality, entrapment, harassment, bullying: - see page 18 of the handbook
Firstly, you state in your handbook, p.4
“we aim to deliver high quality services which meet your needs and assist you in growing and developing”
Therefore, my first issue is to discuss the service I received after I was referred to the surbiton ymca for emergency housing by kingston churches action on homelessness (kcah), (email attached).
I attended my appointment with the housing support worker (hsw) named lucas, on: friday 23rd september 2011 at approximately 12.45pm.
During the interview with (hsw) lukas dziedzic in the hsw main office, I was asked many personal questions, at the same time having to endure individuals (who I assumed were residents) popping in and out of the office, asking questions of lukas regarding their personal needs.
This was obviously a breach of confidentiality, as there was no way of ensuring that information exchanged between I and lukas was kept private and secure.
As the interview neared what I assumed was the conclusion, lukas decided to terminate the interview due to the constant intrusion of individuals entering the housing support worker’s (hsw) office; as he had deemed that ‘the final stage of the interview was too sensitive to continue whilst there were (presumed) residents in the office’.
The fact that lukas deemed that there was a breach of confidentiality, at the final stage of my initial meeting for accommodation, highlighted and served for the pretext discriminatory, work practices which the surbiton ymca has established.
He then said he would rearrange another meeting to finish off the ‘sensitive’ part of the interview. to this day, I have not been offered a meeting to conclude the initial interview, nor would I attend such a bizarre meeting even if I was offered one any way.
The issue of confidentiality has been an issue with many of us residents, as documented in the: ymcalsw resident’s annual report 2011 (page un-numbered), in which an undisclosed number of assumed resident (s) stated
“i’m worried that if I complain about a staff member it won’t be dealt with properly”
Further comments...
“I am not sure if a complaint would be handled with confidentiality and sensitivity”
Moreover, the initial interview conducted by lukas was conducted with extreme pace, as I did not have time to take in the rules and restrictions which the ymca licence agreement, rules and regulations dictate vulnerable people have to adhere too.
Due to this, and the desperate position I was in to be housed, the interview process made it clear that in order to be housed by the ymca, I had no choice but to sign away my individuality, human rights and autonomy to make choices, which would best suit my support needs.
Moreover, at the main ymca hostel, surbiton, I have seen on more than one occasion, residents files (including my own) left unlocked, at the side of individual (hsw) desks overnight.
This type of work practice constitutes bullying, harassment, and entrapment. not to mention further comments documented in the same ymca annual report mentioned earlier stating
“we do not know enough about the complaints procedure”
This comment highlights the discriminatory practice towards vulnerable people, as you deliberately fail to list the “complaints” heading in the index listing at the beginning of your residents handbook 2010, (which was the edition handed to me at my interview).
In addition, those residents with issues such as dyslexia (like me), and those with low literacy standards, would find it hard to locate the information in your handbook.
With this said the option you offer to obtain a complaint form at reception, as stated in your handbook, can be seen to be intimidating, as the complaint may be against the housing support staff, or the staff who work behind the reception area!
The point here is, like many other professional organisations, I see no reason why the complaint forms can’t be put in the residents lounge area, hall ways in the move-on houses or the dining area (etc).
Residents should be able to access complaint documents without having to disclose to a member staff that, he or she wishes to lodge a complaint against them! especially at the surbiton ymca where abuse towards vulnerable adults, who attempt to try and gain independence are thwarted by hsw’s who just are too lazy to do their jobs.
Therefore the fact that the complaint documents are hidden away from vulnerable adults, only compounds the reluctance to lodge complaints, which if the complaints documents were accessible, without having to confront a staff member, this act of transparency would reduce the potential of face to face confrontation, intimidation and further harassment, by having to “ask” the person (or their colleagues) who the complaint is directed too for a complaint form!
How such abusive work practices, with the ymca’s years of experience are deemed as “a quality service”, is beyond belief!
Reception belittling
One of my other issues for writing this formal complaint is the behaviour and conduct of your reception staff. (please see picture attachment of the staff member in question, attached to this email named: (receptionist at the ymca).
One female receptionist staff member in particular (mediterranean looking, and name of the staff member unknown, due to no name tags to identify her) on 24th november 2011, early afternoon, conducted a harassing, interrogation of what my oval shaped package was, which arrived via royal mail!
She further went on to hold the package aloft and gesture to her colleges and, I assume, the members of the public who were waiting in front of the reception desk, what everyone thought the package was!
Her actions were so evident, that her female colleague looked at me with disappointment and embarrassment, and gave the perpetrator in question a look of contempt, acknowledging that her actions were a blatant act of intimidation, provocation, harassment and abusive.
Such behaviour of egotistical harassment, belittling and intimidation, by the way the woman spoke to me, I would have been in my right to raise my vice and chastise her in full view of her colleagues and members of the public. therefore such behaviour by members of the surbiton ymca, in the future, will be met in the manor which I have just described.
This is not the first time the woman receptionist in question, has overstepped her boundary when I have come to the surbiton ymca to either pay rent or pick up parcels.
Reception confidentiality
Further issues I have regarding the conduct of your staff, on the 10th october 2011, (hsw) karina thomas (who is not my allocated hsw) emailed some highly sensitive documents to one of the social housing associations, who I had registered on their housing list before I resided at the ymca surbiton, as well as the revised application form, to re-register my new contact details (email attached).
On the 13th october 2011, I received an email from the housing association in question (email attached) stating that the application I and karina had completed, had to be signed and returned back to them.
The reason for the request to sign the revised housing application form was due to the original copy being completed, signed and sent electronically.
Sometime after I received the email requesting I and karina thomas to sign and return the application form, I went to check on my mail at reception throughout the following week, only to be informed by reception no mail had arrived. this was even though I saw a white a4 envelope in the pigeon hole where my mail is usually kept (surname ‘l’).
The week after, I returned to the reception area and asked again if any mail had arrived, looking out for the mail in question. (hsw) michael aniemaka (I assume is his surname) gave me a white a4 envelope, which was and on top of the counter, above the resident’s mail pigeon holes.
As went back to my room, and as I went to open the letter, I noticed that the envelope had been opened, as the adhesive was, blackened where particles had stuck to the adhesive, which is why the adhesive was not as sticky as it would be if it had not been re-opened prior.
This is why I know that my mail was opened by receptionist staff, as mail that is damaged to point that it is opened, before it reaches its destination, royal mail will enclose the letter, package etc in a royal mail, sealed labelled clear plastic envelope!
As my documents were not placed in such an envelope, when I retrieved my letter, the letter could have only been opened by receptionist staff.
I reported this to the hsw staff, only to be told that the receptionist staff would not do such a thing.
I have since re-directed certain mail from particular sources to another organisation. this has also caused problems with external organisations that I have registered for housing, as a change of a contact address, means filling out new application forms, which in turn means that I miss my allocated position on waiting lists.
This has also left me resorting to only picking up mail and parcels late at night, as the night staff have not presented any insecurities by means of presenting an egotistical, power trip by asserting an authoritarian approach, which comes with the job title and responsibilities of night receptionist staff.
I have gained reassurance that I am able to collect mail and parcels, from the night staff, who engage with me in what is simple and straight forward.
Moreover, even though I have had to resort to losing entire business days by having to collect mail and parcels etc during unsociable hours, the fact that I have to do this, to avoid discrimination, harassment and bullying practices from your staff, further highlights my initial thoughts, and knowledge of the ymca being a christian homeless charity, who is arrogant and abusive.
Not only is the ymca environment an abusive place to be in, the fact that you offer residents mail to be sent and retrieved to the ymca, should generally be an obviously good thing.
Mail id
The issue I have with this half hearted policy of entrapping residents is staff on reception never asks for id! so many times I have checked for mail, and on each occasion, reception staff does not remember your name; therefore, anyone can come in and ask for mail, which belongs to someone else, which in turn would be handed over without question.
I cannot believe that the ymca, with all its years of experience, has not focused on main issues such as resident mail protection which are of most importance and valuable to those who are vulnerable, and striving to work towards better independence.
I here that the ymca surbiton are planning to implement a swipe card system for the lifts, to give to residents, to reduce people who are not residents entering the building.
Surely the same logic would have been administered a long time ago when it comes to taking care of confidential information such as mail etc... if you register with a bank or university, you will be issued with a (photo) id card, to ensure information requested by you, is you indeed!
Supporting vulnerable adults
My second issue is relating to the under handed policy you administer by what the ymca deem is ‘support working’ (key-working etc). the statement in the resident’s handbook 2010, p.4
“we will listen to your views, give you a choice wherever practical and provide you with a high level of care and support”
Is clearly a farce, from the beginning of my residency at the ymca hostel, (23.09.11) surbiton, I had made it clear to staff that I have over £10, 000 of personal possessions and furniture in storage. I have had to pay for my possessions to be stored for over two years, at an approximate cost of £180.00 per month.
This is due to fellow university students failing to pay rent, in october 2010, which led to my eviction and withdrawal from university. due to this, I had applied to one of the ymca’s partners (spear) http://spearlondon.org/html/what_do_we_do.html on the 09th august 2011, who the ymca refers residents to be housed on a permanent basis.
Spear, who is a homeless charity, claiming to help those who require none to low support needs, obtain a tenancy by acting as a guarantor, and paying the rent and deposit up front to secure property or homeless people.
On the 24.9.11 I emailed spear and informed them that the homeless charity: kingston churches action on homelessness (based in kingston upon thames town centre) had secured me a room at the surbiton branch of the ymca.
Referral to spear, email ostaziation
Since I was now a resident at the ymca, I had been long aware that the ymca works in partnership with spear to acquire long term, permanent housing for single men.
Moreover, I decided to “risk” involving the ymca support staff, to see, and gamble on the support of the ymca organisation to help me reach my goal, of trying to get referred to spear for housing.
Therefore I emailed (15.10.11) karina thomas (hsw) and asked if she could refer me to spear.
My hope was that by utilising the referral system from one organisation to another usually adds support and validity to the applicant, and boosts the applicant’s chances of getting referred.
Therefore, on the 18.10.11, I and ymca housing support worker (karina thomas) had completed and attached my spear application form and emailed michael bacon (senior tenancy finder) at spear (email attached) labelled: tenancy finder referral. I was also (cc’d) into the email.
As I had not heard back from either the ymca by the 28th october 2011, I emailed donna at spear, criticising the work practices of the ymca, as I stressed the importance of re-establishing my efforts (now housed) to be referred to spear. this commitment was further fuelled by the discriminatory practices by the manipulative work practices conducted by the surbiton ymca, as the over whelming feelings of not being listened to when attempting to work towards my independence was always been ignored.
In addition, on p.12 of your handbook, you state that you work with a number of other housing associations to access more permanent accommodation. furthermore, you will make an assessment with resident (s) when I feel ready to move to more “independent accommodation”.
“this will be part of the regular review meetings that are held with your key-worker”.
Nothing has been discussed regarding securing my independence, by, or, with my “hsw”! apart from the work that I had done to initiate a referral to spear, and other housing associations before I was referred to surbiton ymca.
Further issues regarding my efforts to gain independence which were blocked by surbiton ymca, I sent the email to spear, dated 28.10.11, as I have not had a reply to any emails I have sent to emil macau.
Some weeks later, I went to the (hsw) office and asked to see karina thomas (hsw) mid november 2011, but she was not on shift at the time. therefore, emil searched the pc database to see who my “support worker was.
Only after emil searched the pc database, to see who my “support worker” was, he eventually realised “he was my support worker”.
This was a further indicator on “how are we run?” within your handbook was going to be assessed, as the negative scenario mentioned above, was the template on how you structure your teams to support vulnerable adults, by using public money to do so, the rest of my issues documented will highlight these.
Therefore, how the following statements help residents to... as stated in your handbook p.13...
“assisting new residents in settling in and making them feel at home”
“providing personal support services to residents making sure that a package of support is provided either internally or externally”
“giving advice on welfare benefits”
“liaising with other voluntary and statutory agencies”
Is the biggest joke of all, as you can only do these things if you engage the resident firstly and on a regular basis secondly!
Emails for support
Further examples, the act of ignoring my email communications, in particular, via emails, only served the support emil macau (support worker) who, when it suited him. on the 16th november 2011, I emailed emil (hsw) to ask why I could not pay rent at reception. he promptly emailed me on the same day to inform that the status of the issue, but when I emailed him asking for support to help with moving some of my furniture from the storage facility (discussed earlier), to the “move on house”, I received no response.
This meant that I had to ask an external organisation to help me move some my life-long possessions to the “move on” house, and other possessions elsewhere, before the deadline of the next bill being due for payment. after nearly two years of being homeless, on benefits and still managing to pay for my furniture storage at a cost of approximately £184.00 per month, which was coming out of my employment support allowance.
I had also asked karina thomas (hsw) if she could write and email a letter of support, to accompany my letter (email attached) to the department of work and pensions.
This was due to the long term actions of dwp illegally stopping payments of employment support allowance. the reply I received from karina (via email) was to the effect of, she would forward on my email to emil as he is my support worker now!
As I had always seen karina to support my massive efforts to gain my independence on my own, due to deliberately avoiding emil, as he was clearly not a support worker, as noticed and demonstrated from the first time I met him.
I emailed emil, (although I knew I would not receive a response) my email (with evidence attached) asking him t write a letter of support to the dwp on 15.12.11, to this day I have not received a response!
I have also requested (hsw) emil macau “my alleged support worker”, via email (attached 19.10.11) at the surbiton ymca, to support my referral application to spear, for me to access their services. albeit, emil refuses to communicate with me via “email” to state, or answer any direct questions, regarding my committed efforts to gain independence from the ymca!
Ironically, I was informed by (hsw) lukas dziedzic on my initial interview with the ymca to be housed, that (hsw) lucy chen-best, who used to manage the “ymca move on houses”, was to be my support worker! lukas further highlighted this by inserting a cross with his pen to highlight lucy chen-best’s name on “welcome to ymca surbiton” handout, for me to remember who my support worker was and a ‘dot’ next to his name, for the same purpose just mentioned.
Some weeks later, emil (by mistake) only realised that he was my (hsw), when he looked up on the computer system, to see who my support worker was, and found out it was him!
This just highlights the lack of commitment and mal-practice which has established itself at the surbiton ymca, which is why the general feeling of being “supported” under the rules and policies of the ymca, makes you feel like you are an “experiment in a concentration camp”.
Whereas, such is the passion and desire you state on p.5 of your handbook, carried out by unprofessional staff members who, due to the lack of leadership, have decided to entertain themselves, by focusing more on discussing their new shiny “apple i-pads, selling personal cars on ebay and focusing more time on friends or family members coming in to see them, than spending crucial time trying to discuss and work towards independence with the “supposedly” (hsw).
The ‘regular and appropriate’ training you state on p. 6 of your handbook takes place, clearly is inadequate to the point that it has no relevance to resident support what so ever!
This policy of ymca (hsw) deliberately avoiding major issues when I am working to gain my independence, as well as not responding to my email correspondences is a testament to the abusive, discriminatory, harassing work culture which I thought ymca staff would do. I have informed karina thomas (hsw) that I only wished to be contacted via email regarding any aspect of my support needs while a resident of the ymca.
This was to test the transparency and ethical practices of the “christian ymca values”, as organisations who take on the role and responsibility to ‘look after those in need’ have a duty not to further abuse such vulnerable individuals in our society!
From the first week of being housed in the ymca surbiton branch, after telling staff that I only wish to be contacted via email (for my own protection from abuse) I never received a response relating to actions “i” wish to gain support for, relating to “my individual efforts to re-gain independence.”
A similar incident was when I fell again with form of (ibs) irritable bowel syndrome. for most of my stay at the surbiton ymca, I could not eat meals served by the kitchen staff at meal times. due to this I emailed karina thomas on 12th september 2011 (email attached) and with evidence from my doctor (email attached labelled dr hanson), requested a room change, which would accommodate fridge, bath to aid recovery from ibs.
Sometime later, I receive a “telephone call” from karina thomas (hsw), where I assume she was cabling from the (hsw) office, informing me that her manager as refused the request for me to gain help and support to further improve my well being!
The point I am making, is that karina refused to return the information via the same source route, being “email”, due to the fact that firstly, I had always instructed the staff at the ymca to email any information relating the support I am “apparently” meant to be given.
Secondly, this further strengthened my belief that the staff at the ymca were, are, and presumably, have always acted to cover up their malpractice and treatment of vulnerable residents under the umbrella of the “christian ymca” emil macau” had informed me that he has been working at the ycma surbiton for over “nine” years!
Therefore, under the heading “wher are we heading?” section p.7 of the handbook,
• caring passionately about the quality of our work
• focusing on services
• “being a responsive can do organisation”
• “work in partnership with the local community and with local people”
• “promote and enhance our image and reputation”
• “learn from the mistakes from the past and in doing so build a firm foundation for growth and development”
All these “image conscious” comments, documented in your handbook, are just the types of comments, a western “religious” organisation like the ymca advertise to the public, whilst conducing targeted discriminatory practices to the unsuspected vulnerable “subjects”.
Historically, when “collectively” staff members who work away from the public view, realise the fact they can abuse vulnerable people, whom society has deemed ‘need looking after’, the culture of such staff, by definition become institutionalised themselves.
As a man who has worked in the social care industry for over 20 years, and have supported vulnerable people re-gain their independence with pleasure. institutionalised abuse; using the manipulative, psychological, emotional and physical abuse to feed the insatiable quest to dominate their victims.
Which, by working with individuals whom have had to endure sexual, manipulative, psychological, emotional and physical abuse in the past, I see strong similarities to the behaviour patterns from the “christian charities support workers, who conduct their abusive practices, and actions like those of the catholic church, currently being highlighted by the media.
Moreover, I see the same similarities when I worked in children homes, confronted with adults who abuse young children, these adults seem to respond when questioned on their abusive ways, with manipulation, to avoid, or justify their negative actions.
Therefore, the confidence and assuredly blatant acts of abuse which the surbiton ymca engages in, can only come from the years of collectively covering up the indiscretions which many residents, forced to accept sanctuary at the ymca, have been voicing their concerns about to fellow residents, since I moved in there.
The section titled “our housing strategy”, p.8 in your handbook, states...
“we aim to help individuals to become more independent by providing support and opportunities for personal and social development...”
... by providing “a secure, safe, comfortable and supportive environment which enables individuals to grow and develop”.
Then tell me, how does the theft of my £600 golf clubs, which was part of my entire personal possessions totalling approximately £10, 000, get to be stolen whilst in your “safe and secure environment”, when whilst street homeless for nearly a year and half, I managed to keep such highly regarded, valuable items safe and secure!
Furthermore, as documented later in this complaint document, why do I have to endure (potential) violence in the “move on house”, and have other personal possessions stolen under your “care and supervision!?”
“move on house issues”
Since moving to the “move on house” on 20th october 2011, I have witnessed confrontation between certain house mates which has now reached boiling point.
On one incident, mid december 2011, an older mature adult male resident had confronted another younger male resident, relating to the younger resident’s friends in the house, and loud music being played throughout the night.
After some time of arguing, I left my room and went to the kitchen; as I done so, I saw the older male holding a ‘instrument’ in his hand, pacing the corridors, looking extremely anxious.
The point I am making here is, if emil macau (hsw) or whoever runs the move on houses, stuck to what he said and conducted monthly house meetings, which he hasn’t, the older resident who has always presented himself has being calm and placid may not had resorted to (what I interpreted as preparing to defend himself physically), potential violence!
Instead, the only meeting he held at our “move on house” was on tuesday 25th october 2011 (invite letter attached). since then, no other house meetings have been arranged.
This scenario is a testament of what others in the main ymca building, and which I too observed while I stayed there, that in your resident annual handbook 2011, residents has stated
“don’t just say things to keep residents sweet”
Which is why from the start, I chose not to speak to emil and most of your team, who constantly respond to you with “patronising sweeteners”, if they respond to your specific requests for support at all!
Moreover, I find such behaviour astounding, that such unprofessional, inexperienced staff should speak to you, whom they do not know what background and experience, resident’s possess; going only on the stereotype that a person has been referred as homeless!
All the issues stated relate to none less than acts of bullying & harassment, entrapment (as homeless people have no option but to conform to the rules, polices which charitable organisations dictate). discrimination, (as the negative behaviour by the ymca, as discussed throughout this compliant document, is administered so, knowing that the voice of homeless people would be subdued, due to the public’s negatives perception that homeless people are lazy dole scroungers and drug takers.
Not least the surbiton ymca’s ostracization and neglect by means of not supporting residents like me; who have been immensely active, whilst street homeless. furthermore, since registering with four housing associations in may 2011, I have missed out on a one bedroom flat offer in august 2011, only due to the issues of being homeless and not being able to check mail at the c/o address, on a daily basis.
The fact that I missed out on the flat offer, in such a short timescale of registering as homeless, albeit, with my local authority or, social housing associations, only demonstrates the knowledge, work ethic, commitment and drive demonstrated to the standards society has dictated, which (as a homeless person) I should strive to, by individual efforts to secure long term sanctuary and accommodation.
Instead, the fact that I “in theory”, am a resident of the ymca, percentage wise, in regards to the individual efforts, and with the help of the ymca, I should have probably have been housed in my own flat with help of the ymca by now!
The issues I have mentioned so far, clearly abuse the “supporting people” contract ymca holds, as stated in your handbook p.8. moreover, the “staff code of conduct – professional boundaries” section p.17 which states
“staff must avoid developing personal relationship with those whom we work with and at all times should maintain a ‘professional distance’ ”
The term “professional distance” is the focal point here, as by not engaging residents at all, by means of implementing the ymca version of “professional distance” (no contact at all) this supersedes the actions of the actual role of what a “support worker’s role is necessary to action progress for vulnerable people!
Moreover, emil stated that the ymca has only three houses, (whist walking to move on house to view) but your handbook p.9; you state state that you have “23”. if this is so, and in consideration that I had informed the staff that I have personal furniture and possessions in storage, worth £10, 000, why did he not inform me of these other options, before, offing me a small room in a shred house, with a large proportion of my furniture cramped in my room.
To add to the insult of presenting an image that only the ymca is “pro-active”, when attempting to find permanent accommodation for you, you state under the section “move on accommodation” in your handbook that
“we will make an assessment with you about when you feel you are ready to move into more independent accommodation – this will be part of the regular review meeting that are held with your key worker.”
In consideration that you have avoided making contact to hold any meetings at all, since the start of my residency, dated 23.09.11, never mind meetings or discussions to aid my efforts to find permanent accommodation, I do not see why emil seems to think that the “outcome star” meeting (discussed below) is appropriate and acceptable. p. 12
Emil with one of the waking night staff left a invitation letter for all residents at the move on house, on 02 january 2012, at 9.50pm to complete and attend a meeting regarding a “outcome star”, (letter attached to this email), which I find this letter patronising.
The outcome star letter is five double pages long, and has “child like” question scenario’s, numbered 1-10 on each side of each page, asking that you make notes, and attend a meeting two days after the date on the letter!
Firstly, has discussed earlier in my complaint, the initial assessment, which was conducted by lukas dziedzic, should have addressed all of these types of questions being asked of me, now being asked by emil.
Which would have advanced the “efforts” (hsw) is supposedly there to help you move on to permanent accommodation much sooner.
In addition, has karina thomas (hsw) had already verified and sent my application to be housed by spear (email attached), stating that I have low support needs, and am ready to access their services, I do not see why, only now, on your timescale and not by working with me earlier, should I attend a purposely image conscious, patronising meeting such as the “outcome star meeting”!
Secondly, it is clear and confirms the lack of work experience the ymca has when tasked to care for “those in need”, which, I have documented throughout this document. the fact that I am classed as homeless, and have a health issue, does not mean that I am able to attend the meeting after it is given to me 10.00pm set a day or so before the meeting is due.
If the high end effort which organisations are tasked to support vulnerable people, who are extremely pro-active in trying to (find) support to regain their independence, were made by the ymca, since moving to the “move on house”, my £600 golf clubs might not had been stolen (email informing emil of this attached).
Further personal items have been stolen since, therefore, as I had demonstrated the determination to find the finances to pay for my £10, 000 worth of lifelong possessions, which I held in storage since becoming street homeless in october 2010, as I warned, the lazy work ethic of your staff has put me right back to the same situation of having possessions stolen, and potentially having to engage in violence by protecting my interests! as standard, I received no response about this issue.
I want compensation for loss of possessions, as well as for the non support which has impeded my efforts to re-gain independence.

Further email evidence sent to ann obayuwana: 30.1.12

Dear ann
Please note that due to short term memory (learning difficulty related), I am not able to remember all incidents to document at the same time. therefore, I have responded to your request to add more information, previously un-documented to support my formal complaint. please see further information below.
As a women of your experience in working with the homeless, and the knowledge that a business meeting such as a formal complaint, you are aware, holding the meeting at the “ymca move on house”, “where I live”, with other homeless people, to hold my formal complaint (meeting to discuss complaint doc attached), in the “communal kitchen”, is a blatant act of harassment, bullying and intimidation.
The very fact that you have asked to discuss “very serious allegations”, regarding abuse and neglect, to name a few, clearly demonstrates and supports my accusation of the ill-treatment and observations of such actions.
Attached is the email you sent to me dated (26.01.12) offering to meet at your corporate offices, but you now send an email downgrading the importance of my formal complaint, to only be deemed worth hearing in my home!
You did this knowing that by discussing the abuses which the ymca has done to me, I would not be able to relax in my home environment. adding stress due to not having a place to de-stress.
I suggest that now that you claim to have read my formal complaint, and all the evidence submitted, we meet at the appropriate place to meet, which is the ymca corporate offices in central london.
Yet another example of ymca not supporting me, the attached email (labelled) complaint, highlights another example of not being supported.
When I acquired my room in the move on house, I asked karina if she could ask emil macau if he could use the ymca van, which he use to move all the rubbish from the move on garden, beds and furniture from the basement, if he could help me to transport my personal belongings from the expensive storage facility to the move on house where I now live (storage facility receipt attached).
To this day no one has responded to my requests for help.
This meant that had to pay for my storage while on esa, and suffering with a health issue, which if I did not have to pay for my storage further, and the money could have been used to buy crucial food supplements which I need after having the attacks that I do.

Regarding the request made to emil detailed in the email attached labelled (window blinds), I also want to add that I do not like it when I am not informed when the maintenance man comes to do work I my room. such an incident happened on the 18.11.11, and 21.11.11 as the maintenance man lost a piece of the blinds fitting on the 18.11.11, which meant that he had on come back on the 21.11.11.
The maintenance man, who came to fit my window blinds, did so on his own. what I also did not appreciate, was when some time later, the colleague of the man fitting my blinds came to my room, and put his key in my lock to let himself into my room.
Your “move on house agreement” (attached) states that we have to let in your tradesman to carry out work, but it also states in brackets, at number (38)...

“the ymca will normally give at least 24 hours’ notice but immediate access may be required in an emergency”
As I requested new window blinds to replace the old ones on the 26th october 2011, this is clearly not an emergency, therefore, you had ample time to inform me the date the maintenance man was coming to fit my new blinds.
I could have had company, or engaged in other tasks which I was at the time. like I mentioned in my formal complaint document I have experienced many breaches of the terms of your licence agreement which you state to uphold.
Regarding the time to meet, whatever date we agree to meet, I would prefer to meet in the early afternoon at your corporate offices.
Regards

From: ann obayuwana [mailto:[protected]@ymcalsw.org]
Sent: 30 january 2012 13:51
Subject: meeting on the 8th feb
Importance: high

Sorry forgot to put the time, 11am
Good afternoon

I have gone through your emails and complaints with the senior support worker jason ray, we feel that we need to meet up with you to go through the complaints and to find out any other information you would feel you need to add to the complaint for needed

Both jason and I will meet up with you wed 8th feb 2012 at the house you are staying in, we will use the kitchen to meet in.

Ann obayuwana
Head of resident services
Ymca london south west

Telephone: [protected]
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My compliant is both moral and personal, it's a long story so I will see how I can put it together here. My family joined the Alief YMCA around 1999/2000. My son started playing sports there at the age of 4 and both my husband and I volunteered to coach and my husband worked as a part time ref for various sports. In 2009 Heidi Brasher started working at the Alief YMCA and late 2009 Heidi and my husband started a 8 month affair. I found out on 9-2-2010 about the affair and contacted the CEO of the Greater Houston YMCA (Clark Baker) and soon spoke with Joni Phariss the HR person. Yes I was hurt and angry and made some called to let everyone at the YMCA know what this woman and my husband did. This woman attended my son's football and basketball games, sat in the stands with me and my husband. She be-friended my son, gave him gifts when he would go to the Y to play basketball and would have him sit in her office all while she was sleeping with his father. Because the YMCA is who they are and advertise themselves as a Christian facility I truly believed she would get fired. But instead the YMCA moved her and hide her from me. So as the betrayed I was treated like the bad guy.. Why because I was hurt and angry.. Only someone that has never felt that kind of pain wouldn't understand the devastation that comes with that level of betrayal. So I don't believe the YMCA should advertise themselves as a Christian facility when this woman that was not only the ED of the Alief YMCA, she was the boss would get away with what she and my husband did. I thought that being members of the YMCA would be the best thing for me and my family and for the first 10 years it was.. but this person comes along and the YMCA allows this person to continue to be an employee, I will never refer the YMCA nor ever be a member ever in my life.

6 year old child enrolled in after school care (Over $300.00 per month)
Left in van asleep in parking lot for hours, then was screaming at individuals in an adjacent park to help him get out (Strangers)
He managed to open the driver's side door - crying and scared!
Proceeded throught the parking lot and entered into the facillity alone
Parents were not even notified until he was picked up.
I would not recommend this business to anyone
From the driver to the director of the program - all at fault.

I used to enjoy the YMCA and had great respect for them untill what I had experienced. I am going to keep this short. The Mockville, NC YMCA is suppose to give out 3 free visits a month to customers who have membership from Rown County. Certain employees will charge visitors from Rowan County a vistors fee and wont give out 3 free visits a month. Some employees will give out the 3 free visits a month. Also if the customer is wrongfully charged the employee wont even offer a refund. I am glad I had quit going to Mocksville NC YMCA. I am sick and tired of what I had experienced with the Mocksville YMCA. Makes me sick when employees are charging customers even though the employees know the customer earn 3 free visits a month. That illegal for employees to do that?

I have never in my life been treated so unjust! I was hired on for a full time position in child care. The ceo is a joke, and the child care director is lazy, half the employees are high school, they yell and intimidate the children all day! The director calls the "slower" children, or children that have a vivid mind #ed! She sits in her office all day on the phone or she's out wonder somewhere... Sad! There where several times when a child slapped, pushed, punched, and or kicked by another child and she was nowhere to be found! I was never offically trained, she "trained"me for three days of which I was saw her a total of 3-4 total hours... Then she went on vacation, and the following week I was out! I went on a weekend to completely clean the classroom, which was filled with trash! Suprised they dont have roaches! All they care about is the money not educating the children... I feel so bad for the parents that do have their children enrolled there for educational purposes, because the "pre-k" teachers dont even have teaching credentials... They have lost 6 teachers since may of 2011, one including me! On several occasions childrens food was taken away from them and thrown in the trash, (Which is always over flowing) the set up of the rooms is a joke, they have 4 sep. Classes in one huge room! So it's always battle of who can be the loudest! Oh, and if you're military and you want the child care director to fill out your naccrra, forget it, she refuses to fill it out! And a free gym membership not gonna happen! This ymca needs to have their funds pulled and shut the doors! Oh and apon being hired I was promised that if the job wasn't suited for me that they would place me in a different position that would better suit me! Nope that didn't happen either! Don't even bother taking your child in there either with a sun burn, scratch or bruise... The director will grill the child to say their parents did it! They need to fire the ceo, executive director, and childcare director and start fresh!

This establishment has no idea how to treat it's volunteers with respect and care. I was one of several people (whom I personally know) who worked as volunteer instructors for many years and when we left weren't given so much as a thank you for our time and dedication. I volunteered as a dance teacher and also worked as a paid yoga instructor for 14 years. In that time I know for a fact that some of the members maintained their memberships in order to attend just my classes. In terms of money I brought into the club from members renewing memberships and the salary they saved from not paying me to teach I must have been worth at the very least £25, 000, but probably more, over the years. When I left I requested an honorary membership so that if I ever wanted to come into the club to see my friends I could do so without having to explain who I was to the ever changing reception staff. They agreed but after 18 months they cancelled my membership. Trying to speak to Rosi Prescott is akin to getting hold of the Prime Minister - I couldn't get direct access. I was told I could call her PA who then told me I couldn't email Rosi directly I had to go through the PA. When I got a reply it came from Barry Cronin first and then later Rosi emailed me herself, but both of them told me the same thing: my honorary membership should not have been renewed; they treat all their volunteers the same (which is ludicrous as how can you claim that volunteering for 6 months is the same as volunteering for 14 years?); the club can't afford to give everyone who works for them an honorary membership; and a whole lot of statistics about how many people volunteer for them; and they claimed that anybody who had left and not been thanked for their volunteering was an oversight as they claim to look after their volunteers. They clearly didn't read my responses to their emails as I pointed out that I wasn't asking for everyone to get access to the club, just me; it would cost them nothing, not a penny, for me to use the facilities and in fact I had only been into the club 3 times over the year that I was allowed in; they clearly don't look after ex-volunteers and they had not to my knowledge ever said thank you to any long term volunteers. I pointed out that they were the most uncharitable charitable organisation I've encountered and they use people with impunity before tossing them aside and moving onto the next batch of volunteers. As for not being able to afford to give me a membership, it's remarkable that they were in debt when I taught there and even when they got out of debt and started buying plasma TV screens and tons of new equipment they still wouldn't pay their teachers. Ironic. I'm sickened by their attitude towards volunteers and suggest you only volunteer there for what you can get out of it because they'll do nothing to thank you when you leave.

I went to the YMCA office that administrate French Classes for New Immigrants on behalf of Federal Govt. The Canadian Govt funds the program.
I told the lady that I have no French at all. She said you need to book an appointment for an assessment. I told her that I do not speak any French and have all the necessary documents e.g. PR Card, Licence, Address to qualify for the program. She said she will check with the manager. I was then told that I could start on the program immediately by paying for it as it is conducted by another agency. After clarifying that this is not how new immigrants should be told, she agree to consult the Manager
After checking with the Manager, the front desk replied that manager insist that I come another day for the assessment as all the assessment slots in the afternoon are fully booked. She said I still need to be assessed for French before I can qualify for the program. I repeated that I am telling her that I zero French.
What amazed me was the level of wastage and inefficiency at the center. A simple taks of assessing that I have no french, was delayed by one week. I simply cannot believe that the the language assessment which is firstly totally unnecessary as i have no french at all, is fully booked for 1 week.
All I can postulate is that their inefficiency poor service quality is factored in by grants from government funds. I was there that afternoon and there was only one assessor but many managers and only three other persons coming for an assessment.
I think the government should have a watchdog agency to see whether their grants are administered and whether they are meted out according to some efficiency standards. I am beginning to loose faith in NGOs like YMCA.
This is my second encounter of poor quality service by YMCA

I found myself homeless over the summer of 2010 in Bournemouth. I applied and was offered accommodation, i after the first month I had started a new job keeping up with my bills and moving forward with my life. I noticed I was one of only a few in the YMCA that had a job. A few months later was signed of work due to depression some of the residents pick up on this and decided it would be funny to harass me by knocking on my door, window and jump on the ceiling. I complained and it got worse the staff did nothing to stop this in-fact they denied it was happening. This encourage the residents more and I suffered seven days of hell. All day and all night I was kept awake by people banging my walls jumping on the ceiling and shouted threats of attacking me. I ended in hospital for five weeks suffering a mental breakdown now I need to take medication every day and can not handle outside noise and unable to work.