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By Kelly Koopmans

EAST NEW YORK, BROOKLYN — For the comfortable and opulent in New York City, paying an extra four dollars is often inconsequential. The well-to-do can afford to four-buck shoeshines, triple soy lattes, or bottles of Voss artisan water.  But take the A train downtown to East New York, Brooklyn and the story is a little different. In this time of economic recession, those additional dollars are straining an already financially strapped neighborhood. 

The Twelve Towns YMCA raised their monthly adult membership from 35 to 39 dollars earlier this year. This decision, coupled with the economic recession, appears to be impacting membership numbers. According to branch officials, membership dropped nearly 15 percent within the last year.

Carmen Marrero, a native East New Yorker, lives just one block from the YMCA in a one-bedroom apartment. She joined the club a little less than two years ago, but said personal financial struggles spurred by the recession prevented from her from continuing her membership.

“Something’s going to get cut off,” said Marrero. “You know, with this recession, those 39 dollars will hurt my budget for me doing what I got to do for my needs and to keep a roof over my head.”

Marrero said that despite her personal struggles, she is comparatively lucky. She is an unmarried adult with no children; the membership burden is less severe than it is for most East New York residents.

“It’s easy for me to maintain myself, but there’s a lot of parents who can’t out here,” said Marrero. “Kids get the impact of all this. They’re forced to play in this park, and not in a safe place like the Y.” 

Highland Park unfurls up a sparsely grassed knoll bordering Jamaica Avenue, lofting over the red brick YMCA edifice. Two months ago, less than 50 yards from the gym’s entrance, a woman who authorities describe as a drug-addicted prostitute was found stabbed to death. In May, 30-year-old Carlos Santiago was found stabbed to death one block from the park.

YMCA officials said their goal is for their facility to provide a safe, healthy playing alternative for East New York’s youth. According to the 2000 Census, 32.8 percent of the area population is below age 18.

They YMCA is actively striving to retain both the young and low-income community members, said Programs Director Keith Delph. But Delph said the recession is forcing an unprecedented number of requests for financial assistance.

“This is more of a low income area, and we’ve always seen a steady high number in financial assistance,” said Delph. “But recently, over the last three to six months, there has been a huge increase in requests for assistance.”

Delph said the YMCA has been able to accommodate those who have expressed interest, or are knowledgeable about financial aid applications.  According to an annual financial report, the YMCA Greater New York Area umbrella organization delivered more than $46.6 million in free and subsidized or sponsored programs.

But athletic trainer and YMCA class instructor, Carmen Martinez said sometimes the financial aid is simply not enough. In an area with 46.1% of the population on income support, up from 32% in 2000 according to a 2008 survey, the financial burden is difficult to manage. Recently unemployed regular and long-time members are calling to cancel their memberships, said Martinez.

“I tried to follow up with calling these people and finding out what happened, why they are not coming to class anymore. They all say its because of the economy, they’ve lost their jobs,” said Martinez. They simply cannot pay for the membership.”

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