Kankakee Area YMCA - Kankakee, Illinois

Mary Petersen

My children purchased a gift certificate for me at this facility for christmas. When I went in to sign up. They told me I had a balance that I wasn't aware of. Back in July my card canceled out due to fraud activity with my bank. I did not realize that if I did not use the facility that they would continue to charge me.. Although it was my mistake and misunderstanding, I tried to explain my thoughts and circumstances to the ceo of the ymca.
At first I dealt with a membership employee who sits near the front desk where members enter. This person told me they could not take the charge off. I did speak with the director, downstairs in regards to the family issues and hardship I was going through at the time. She was very understanding and told me that she would speak to someone above her and get back to me.. In the meantime the same, employee that was not going to help me, knew I had gone above her. She phoned me back to tell me that the other person said that they weren't going to take the charge off.. I was very surprised as I had not even attended the ymca at the time of the charge. I told this employee that (in my opinion seemed upset because I was going above her), I would come in person to speak to someone. She took it upon herself to go to the CEO and gave him her side of my situation. When I went to the offices upstairs and came in the doors, He approached me and called me by name. I was very surprised that he knew my name but later, found out that this woman downstairs went up to talk to him. From the beginning of our conversation, The c e o was very arrogant, had no empathy toward me or my situation/feelings. Had there been some sort of understanding and kindness, I would have been happy to pay what they wanted. His attitude toward me was that of I was below him, and I was a bad girl. He basically scolded me for not realizing I would get charged if I did not personally cancel my membership.
At the time back in the summer, I had some personal issues out of state with an estranged daughter that I was trying to resolve. I also had other personal issues financially, due to my husband's illness. My daughter was getting married, and my mind was in many places. I truly did not realize what the policies were at that time.
I am 64 years old, (not to play dumb or the old card) bit I truly didn't realize I would continue to be charged.
I asked the c e o if he could please refund my children for the gift certificate they purchased....which exceeded 300.00. He arrogantly refused and told me that that is not their policy.
I have no choice but to attend this facility, which I have attended my whole life and felt very comfortable. I told the staff that I was not comfortable and did not want to attend here.. I was laughed at and forced to use the gift certificate here. It has been over a month and I do not feel comfortable. I feel like my money was taken from me and forced to go there for my health needs.
I am not sure what has happened with the rule of understanding and reason. I did not intentionally try to hurt anyone or do anything illegal. I would think that there would be understanding and kindness when people need it. This is supposed to be a Christian organization. I would never treat anyone the way that I was treated.

Claude Keller

They leave garbage all over the park to blow into our yards everyday. I've called on numerous occasions talked to ceo Will Welch left messages with others about my complaints but it seems to be ignored so I'm guessing their teaching the kids that it's okay to litter and not pick up after yourself. So APPARENTLY according to their response it's ok to leave the garbage all over the park for the wind to blow it all over our yards street so that way everyone else has to pick it up BRILLIANT.while they pick it up once late in the afternoon after the wind blows it away and they pick up the leftovers BRILLIANT wouldn't it be easier to make sure its put in it's proper place and teach your 200 children not to litter right off the start and yes its A INCONVENIENCE PICKING UP YOUR GARBAGE EVERYDAY MONDAY-FRIDAY 4 new pictures added at 7pm on 7//26/23 doesn't look like late afternoon picking up

karen (Smokey)

A bit rough around the edges ymca. Aggressive people with loud kids. A short large woman not paying attention, with a young girl nearly knocked me out of the way when just walking past her in the hall heading to the area by the counter to leave. Just recently as leaving, the entire area by the counter was blocked while leaving with a screaming child and several large adults. The person at the counter just looked blank, with the screaming and no one seems to guide these people at least to best understand that other people are coming and going. And maybe tour them to proceed in a better manner where they are going within the building and how to appropriately do it.
I’m sure it is frustrating that there not a functioning mall in the area. As malls in operating areas even have kid play set up areas within the mall, etc.

Mk Delacruz

I'm writing to express concern regarding a discrepancy between the YMCA membership handbook and the recent denial of access to my guest. According to the handbook, members are allowed to bring a one-day guest without specifying residency requirements.

However, when I attempted to bring my guest, they were denied access. I believe this inconsistency warrants an update to the handbook to reflect the actual policies and procedures.

To ensure clarity and fairness for future members and guests, I recommend revising the handbook to explicitly state any residency or other requirements for guest access.

Mark Moore

It's good but getting here has always been problematic for me. Every time I take the Metro Plus it always drops me off here late and it was running really late this morning

Tammara Gonzalez

The YMCA daycare providers were mistreating the children. On the morning of 2/27/24 I showed up to pick up the papers to enroll my babies for childcare. The side door was open which is extremely dangerous .When I walked down the hallway looking for someone that works there I witnessed one of the providers verbally abusing the children. 5-6 children were in high chairs with no food or toys. They were all in their high chairs crying and screaming and the provider was angrily yelling at them “That’s enough!” I was shocked and appalled. I got out of there with my babies.

Haze Slowik

Very disappointed with this YMCA’s fitness Center at the moment

Ms. Marie

The YMCA is an okay place, but some of the employees are gossipers. And the excersie trainer, in the gym, the old Caucasian man, looks creepy. Some of the employees should be replaced, by new fresh ppl.