In the last Brentwood News it was reported that Pastor Jeanine Horowitz of the Solutions Christian Church had accused the YMCA of racial discrimination because the YMCA wouldn’t allow Horowitz’s congregation, primarily African-American, to use the facility.
The YMCA has adamantly denied this, but, on advice of attorneys, has decided to not comment on the issue at this time.
Horowitz claimed the YMCA didn’t realize the church was primarily African-American until after it started meeting at the facility, the Bill Goldenberg Youth House on Bundy, adjacent to the Brentwood Science Magnet School.
Once the YMCA realized there were between 70 and 80 African-Americans attending a church service on Sundays, the YMCA asked attendees to sign waivers releasing the YMCA from any liability resulting from use of the facility, according to Horowitz.
The YMCA said asking for waivers is standard operating procedure and all users of the facility have to do the same thing. Horowitz said she asked others who use the building if this was the case and said she was told others did not have to sign similar waivers.
When some of the church members refused to sign the waiver form, the YMCA said the congregation could no longer use the facility, according to Horowitz.
Horowitz found an attorney to represent the church in a potential discrimination lawsuit and then the YMCA decided to say no more. The Brentwood News will keep you posted as we learn more.
