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YMCA Reviews
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Full-time Part-timeApprove of CEO
Kevin Washington
1,059 Ratings
Pros
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Free gym membership (at my facility) (in 508 reviews)
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Fun working with kids from a variety of demographics (in 155 reviews)
Cons
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It is a non-profit so the advantages that you would have with a cooperation you do not have with a YMCA (in 214 reviews)
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I was only part-time for a few months (in 203 reviews)
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Helpful (1)
![YMCA Logo]()
"YMCA is a great place to work."
Star Star Star Star Star- Work/Life Balance
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsApproves of CEOPros
The YMCA is immediately recognized and usually favorably. The management believes in taking care of its employees and allows freedom to handle family matters. It employs a chaplain and works closely with its volinteer board. I believe the YMCA is a help to the community in general and is helpful in areas that the community needs, such as health and childcare, sports and volinteerism.
Cons
Non-profits cannot have ownership compensation.
Advice to Management
Keep up the good work. Keep asking for feedback.
YMCA 2008-10-02 08:06 PDT -
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Helpful (1)
![YMCA Logo]()
"A Job that Makes a Difference"
Star Star Star Star Star- Work/Life Balance
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNo opinion of CEOPros
You have the opportunity to engage the community around you. At the end of the day, it's not about how much you've made, it's about the lives you've influenced. There are many career opportunities within the YMCA. Most of the upper management began their journey through the YMCA ladder of success by first becoming an afterschool counselor or sports worker. Over the years they work they way up by becoming a Sports or Afterschool Coordinator. Then they are eligible to receive training through the association to earn a certification to become a Director. From there, the Director can become an Executive Director and that is the highest position within a particular Branch. There are more opportunities even outside of a particular branch.
Cons
It isn't a high paying job at the lower levels and it takes time and patience if your goal is to reach the higher level jobs within a YMCA branch. The benefits are weak as well, but you are able to receive them even as a part-time employee. Sometimes working with families at the YMCA, you learn about the people in the community. Working in the afterschool program, you may see children who have difficult living situations or who have suffered from abuse. The YMCA works very hard to see that each employee is trained to look for signs of abuse of any kind. It's tiring at the end of the day, but necessary.
Advice to Management
Senior Management makes working at the YMCA that much more appealing. When we're all playing for the same team, it's nearly impossible to fail.
YMCA 2008-10-04 08:58 PDT -
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"Great place to began a career in social work."
Star Star Star Star Star- Work/Life Balance
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsApproves of CEOPros
It depends on which aspect of the YMCA you work for. I was a part-time worker for the after-school program at the Anaheim YMCA. There is little training, it is more learn-as-you-go. We worked with kids as group leaders, aka instructional assistants, in the after-school program who were usually low-income students. Some of the kids are initially hard to deal with, especially if you don't have prior experience or you have a naive perspective, but this is because the kids are used to seeing a lot of adults and workers come and go. If you make it past the first month, then you will have no problem moving forward in this career. You will also become very attached to the children. And parents are very supportive. If you have a problem in dealing with a child, the parents will most likely be on your side. Coworkers and supervisors are also very helpful and understanding, especially to new employees. I would have worked there longer, but I had to move when I transferred to a university.
Cons
The only downside comes if you have no experience working with kids or if you have the idea that kids are innocent and nice. You have to remember that you are an authority figure and not the children's friend. That does not mean you have to be difficult. But when a child acts out, you have to consistently discipline them and be firm or else they will not take you seriously. I have seen a lot of workers leave because they weren't able to handle the stress of the environment. Some of these kids have other issues in their lives, so you the YMCA sets up regular orientation and training programs to help you deal with the children. The downsides aren't caused by the YMCA itself, but the nature of the work.
Advice to Management
Provide training for employees and shadowing opportunities before potential employees actually began work.
YMCA 2009-02-10 20:10 PST -
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"Its' fun to stay at the YMCA"
Star Star Star Star Star- Work/Life Balance
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsApproves of CEOPros
Management support was great in helping me succeed at my job.
Cons
The salary was not at the level I expected. However, it is a non - profit organization in a small town so it is expected.
Advice to Management
Keep doing a great job even with a tough economy.
YMCA 2009-04-19 10:18 PDT -
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"Good Times at the YMCA"
Star Star Star Star Star- Work/Life Balance
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNo opinion of CEOPros
Fun, lively atmosphere. Lots of multi-tasking which made things interesting. Fairly easy work. TIme passes by quickly since there is so much work to do.
Cons
Mean, angry customers constantly complaining about petty things. Outdated computer systems. Cleaning and picking up towels in locker rooms. Smelly.
Advice to Management
Increase pay for front desk employees.. Workers put a lot of time and effort into maintaining high customer retention rates
YMCA 2009-08-25 23:11 PDT -
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"Friendly Customer Focused Group"
Star Star Star Star Star- Work/Life Balance
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
Approves of CEOPros
They are very dedicated to customer satisfaction and offer mandatory customer service training for all employees. They offer fun company meetings to help build teams & employee relationships.
Cons
The salary at YMCA is very low, but probably comparible to other non-profit groups. The opportunity for advancement is limited. In the past there was regular communication from the top facility manager to every employee, since the new manager took over there is much less.
Advice to Management
Follow the example of the previous facility director. Regular communication is important because most employees want to be informed, regardless of the level an employee is at.
YMCA 2009-11-05 13:03 PST -
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"An amazing place to learn and grow."
Star Star Star Star Star- Work/Life Balance
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsNo opinion of CEOPros
Great opportunities for skill development, amazing co-workers, amazing scenery and a beautiful part of the country to work, good food, nice cabins to live in, influence the lives of young children, overall an experience that will change your life forever (party because it is such a challenge!)
Cons
extremely low wages make this a very hard decision to keep coming back, time off is very inflexible and limited, the job is more exhausting than you could imagine, camp leadership can be patronizing and communication is sometimes limited
Advice to Management
This is a wonderful place to work that does so much good in so many people's lives. Greater transparency in decisions from leadership would be beneficial in augmenting staff morale as well as greater flexibility from leadership about working shorter terms during the summer. Unhappy and exhausted staff does not serve campers well either!
YMCA 2009-11-08 13:18 PST -
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![YMCA Logo]()
"YMCA"
Star Star Star Star Star- Work/Life Balance
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPros
It is a great place to work the people who work here are great and very supportive and help with questions
Cons
Some of the members are rude and inconsiderate, they do not understand the nature of our work and expect us to do things way beyond our title
Advice to Management
The management is very good and very supportive of employees. They answer questions directly and quickly, if they are unsure they direct to someone who can answer.
YMCA 2010-01-12 21:53 PST -
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"Awesome place to work"
Star Star Star Star Star- Work/Life Balance
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsApproves of CEOPros
I had to greatest time at this location. I got to help really awesome people, and I also go to use the awesome facilities.
Cons
Low pay, benefits. But what can you expect, I'm a fitness instructor. Maybe I should go to college and find a real job.
Advice to Management
Keep doing your thang. I love this place, the people, the overall awesomeness. Did I mention that this place is awesome?
YMCA 2010-03-05 13:16 PST -
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"Great opertunity"
Star Star Star Star Star- Work/Life Balance
- Career Opportunities
- Comp & Benefits
- Senior Management
RecommendsPros
Worked with great people, family centered institution. Great if you enjoy working with others and helping others.
Cons
pay was low, had schedualing trouble.
Advice to Management
Leadership was good.
YMCA 2010-04-14 20:19 PDT -
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