Variety Boys & Girls Club Of Queens, INC.

Variety has been a part of our family for generations. My granddaughter is in their summer day camp and she loves it. Sadly, there are spoiled parents complaining about the programs and facilities who think everything needs to be to their way. The leadership works hard and are also planning on building a brand new facility for the community. We need to support this organization that fights for kids and families. Anyone trying to speak bad about such a great organization is not a good person. We love you Variety and all your hardworking staff.

I was genuinely hoping for a better experience, but it quickly became clear that the biggest issue here is the management. Many of the positive reviews are from nearly a decade ago and unfortunately don’t reflect the current reality. The environment now feels disorganized, inconsistent, and frustrating especially when trying to get clarity or support. Maria, who appears to be in a leadership role, often comes across as dismissive or overwhelmed, which sets the tone for the rest of the team. Concerns are more often brushed off than addressed, and there's very little accountability when problems arise. This place has potential, but it’s being held back by a lack of strong, responsive leadership. If those at the top were more invested in supporting their staff and maintaining basic standards, things could be different. As it stands, I can’t recommend it. I also hope the other locations under this organization operate better because if this is the standard, the future doesn’t look promising. On top of everything else, the building itself is dirty and poorly maintained. The air conditioning barely works throughout the space, and at times it honestly feels like walking into a sauna. It’s not acceptable, especially in a space meant to care for children and staff.

-0 My daughter takes swimming lessons. Before, the teachers were very good, but now it seems like the children are alone. The teachers are the worst. They never pay attention to the children. It seems like they are always in a bad mood and don't even want to go into the water. The facilities are the worst. The bathrooms and showers are NEVER CLEANED and the lockers are full of COCKROACHES. And when it's cold, they don't tell you that the water is too cold, and the children go in like that, and the director says that the water is fine, that afterward the children don't feel cold. Honestly, the worst. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS PROGRAM, IT'S NOT WORTH IT. They only care about each other's money.

Signed my 3 year old up for beginner swim lessons. Said no experience needed. They had no floats for the children, expected them to walk in on day one even though she’s too short to stand. Teacher seemed like he had never been around a toddler before. Plus, the facility is disgusting- dirty, bugs, mold, falling apart. A staff member said the reason they don’t have floats for toddlers is because they were covered in mold and had to be thrown away.

Leadership at Variety Boys & Girls Club Of Queens is a joke. The Black woman with red braids who runs things was rude and dismissive every time I tried to bring up concerns about my child. My kid felt unheard and ignored, and it was clear no one there cared to listen. She was even making sarcastic faces to other staff and didn’t seem to care what they had to mention. The whole place is unorganized & the way they speak to both kids and parents is completely unprofessional. I regret enrolling my child, don’t make the same mistake I did.