Upon walking into the Countryside YMCA with my children, I was asked if I needed any help. I responded with ""No thank you"" and proceeded to get water. We were followed into the play area by the same employee who told us we had to leave if we did not have a membership. Never have I been asked for a membership card for going into the play area and I used to work for the YMCA! Sadly, we could not afford a membership. I will not be referring my family and friends to the Countryside YMCA because they do not uphold their mission statement! In addition, we were discriminated against because of our color (African-Americans) when we entered through the door.
more