The Associated Press

LEXINGTON - The financial and administrative problems at Kentucky's last surviving YWCA aren't unique.

Nationwide, chapters have shut down or cut back athletic and day-care programs because of such problems.

More than 20 YWCA chapters across the country report losing programs in the past five years, The Lexington Herald-Leader reported Monday.

Entire chapters shut down in Palo Alto, Calif., Waukesha County in Wisconsin, and suburban Cleveland. Fitness facilities and swimming pools closed in Fort Wayne, Ind., and other cities.

A few faltering YWCAs managed comebacks in places like Orange County, Calif., and Portland, Maine, thanks to community fund-raising efforts.

That's what the YWCA of Lexington hopes for, local board members say.

Overall, at least 100 YWCAs have closed in the United States over the past few decades, according to published reports. With about 300 chapters in 2004, national YWCA officials said last week that they were unable to provide specific numbers on how many chapters had been lost.

"Tough economic times often hit social-service organizations ... the hardest. Unfortunately, our local associations have not been immune from this syndrome," said Glenda DuBoise, YWCA National Coordinating Board chairwoman.

Lexington's chapter became the last in Kentucky when the YWCA of Ashland closed its doors after seven years of financial problems and a decision by the United Way to cut its funds. The Ashland YWCA sold its child-care program to the YMCA, Queen said.

Similarly, the YWCA of Lexington closed its domestic violence shelter last month. Threatened with funding cuts from the United Way, Lexington YWCA board members have tentatively agreed to let the YMCA of Central Kentucky help operate its inner-city community center.