On Friday, September 2, 2022, Karen  Alvarez (known as Kay) was fired from the Racine Family YMCA. Kay had worked at the YMCA for 7 years. She was a personal trainer and instructor for various workout classes, including the wildly popular Body Pump class. Kay was a devoted and beloved staff member at the YMCA. She was always motivated to help members improve their health.

In June, Kay and a few members of the YMCA helped create a fundraiser to raise money to purchase upgraded equipment for the workout classes. During and after the fundraiser, Kay inquired with the YMCA management team about updates on the fundraiser; and never received a response. Members began asking Kay for updates, and she couldn't give them an update because she had not been updated on the fundraising status. Kay then posted a message on Facebook asking members of the YMCA to email the YMCA management to inquire about updates on the fundraiser. A few days after posting a message on Facebook, Kay was fired from her job because of the message she posted. Kay did not receive a warning or request to take the message down from her social media before she was fired.

I strongly believe Kay was wrongfully terminated because she did not receive a warning or any disciplinary action before she was terminated. I am asking you to sign this petition to request that the Racine Family YMCA reinstate Kay Alvarez to her former position and resolve the issues internally. 

Please take a few minutes and advocate for Kay beyond this petition by calling the Racine YMCA President, Ahmad Qawi at 262.898.4763 or email aqawi@ymcaracine.org.