(Y) Connect Podcast
Welcome to The (Y) Connect Podcast. As the heartbeat of the community, the Y is a connector where people of all ages and walks of life come together to elevate their health, wellness, education, and essential life skills. Join hosts Allison, Zarinah and Robert as they have authentic conversations with individuals sharing personal connections and stories of what connects them to the Y. For 164 years, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta has built programs that foster community, address critical needs, and empower individuals to achieve their full potential. This work is only possible with our Y community. Together we champion communities where everyone belongs and would love for you to be part of it. Let's keep the conversation going about what the Y means to you and where you can find one near you. Please visit us at ymca atlanta dot org and subscribe to our Healthy Together newsletter. Biography: Robert Wright has 20 years of experience encouraging and motivating individuals in the human and social service industry, ranging from children to adults with mental health and substance abuse diagnoses as well as developmental disabilities. He utilized his experience of assisting others and has transferred his energy and focus to fitness and wellness. He is motivated to merge both arenas and give individuals with diagnoses and disabilities another avenue other than the traditional clinical and medicinal approach. Zarinah Winston began working for the Metro Atlanta YMCA in 1999. Zarinah has served the YMCA in multiple roles for the past 23 years. Currently, she serves as a Center Director of an Early Learning Center. Her role consists of supervising and leading staff, implementing program plans, overseeing daily activities, and managing the Center budget. Prior to becoming a Center Director for the Y, her YMCA experiences consisted of being a Summer Camp Counselor, After School Site Director, Assistant Teacher, Lead Teacher and Lead Instructional Support Coach. The YMCA honored Zarinah with the “Outstanding Performance Award” for the Covington YMCA. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies (Education) and a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction with a minor in Early Childhood Education. By pursuing lifelong learning, she intends to be an example for the amazing team that she leads at her school. Zarinah is proud to be a mother of 3 wonderful children, Zamaria, Zachary, and Zavier. Her oldest daughter Zamaria and her middle son Zachary entered YMCA Early Learning at the tender age of 6 weeks. The YMCA exposed the children to a safe and caring learning environment, friendships, rich language & literacy skills, strong communication skills, and so much more. Zarinah’s family is her heart and inspiration for striving to be the best version of herself. The core values of the YMCA (Honesty, Caring, Respect, Responsibility) are characteristics that she strives to always live by. Zarinah enjoys owning her own candle business, journaling, traveling, exercising, listening to music and spending time with family and friends. Zarinah is influenced and mentored by her uncle who is the CEO/President of a YMCA. Zarinah believes in enjoying life by being of service to others. She lives by the quote, “Feel the present, hold the vision, let go of resistance, enjoy the journey, trust the process and know that all is well.” Fredrick Talloen Allison Toller is the Chief Social Impact Officer for the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. Charged with cultivating and stewarding the Y’s strategic corporate, civic, and community partnerships, she and the Social Impact team also drive the Association’s strategic plan, embedding it into the fabric of the organization. Additionally, she oversees the Y’s volunteerism and advocacy initiatives. Prior to coming to the Y, Allison was a corporate social responsibility leader with Cox Communications'. With a dual background in broadcasting and education, Allison was Chief of Staff and Communications Director for two of the largest school districts in Georgia. Through these experiences, she has a deep knowledge of the education system having led several high-profile campaigns on a variety of issues including taxes, teacher shortages, school zoning, and crisis situations. Developing strong relationships among local, state and national media, Allison was a registered lobbyist working within the Georgia state legislature to fully fund schools throughout the state. She built an innovative and award-winning brand widely recognized among independent schools. As Chief of External Affairs for Mount Vernon, she amplified marketing efforts to increase year-on-year enrollment. Early in her career Allison was a television news broadcaster; live television was the perfect training ground where she learned the art of storytelling. For several years she shared these skills on a national level, conducting leadership training sessions in the corporate, civic, and university settings. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Florida State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Georgia College & State University. Allison is a graduate of both Leadership Cobb and Leadership Sandy Springs; she is a recipient of the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award and was named to the Top 20 Under 40 list by the Marietta Daily Journal. A lover of hiking, traveling, running the trails along the Chattahoochee, Allison lives in Sandy Springs with her husband Rick, and they have two children. Nina attends Georgia Tech and Jackson is a senior in high school. Both children spent their summers growing up at YMCA Camp High Harbour at Lake Allatoona. Social Media Yconnectpodcast.com https://www.ymcaatlanta.org/
Episodes
What does it look like when people with developmental disabilities lead the way in advocacy, community programming, and public policy? On this episode of the (Y) Connect podcast, hosts Zarinah, Robert, and Allison are joined by Martha Haythorn, a powerful voice for disability advocacy and a champion of inclusion at the YMCA. From organizing local programs to speaking on national stages, Martha shares her journey, leade...
Today on Y Connect, we’re joined by two remarkable Y leaders growing more than vegetables—they’re cultivating connection, health, and purpose. Collette Cosby, Executive Director of the J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA, is deeply committed to sustainability, food equity, and inclusive community service. Under her leadership, the Y’s Community Garden has blossomed into a powerful hub for education, access, and engagement.
...Today, we're thrilled to talk with two remarkable women who have dubbed themselves the Mermaids. From morning swims to community events, the Mermaids demonstrate how engagement, community, and belonging shape lifelong health and wellness. Get ready to laugh, enjoy, and discover how this group of swimmers makes every splash count, proving that age is just a number when you’re young at heart.
IN THIS EPISOD...
On this episode of Y Connect, the hosts welcome Omari Crawford, State Representative for Georgia’s 89th House District and East Lake Family Y Board member, who shares his deep-rooted connection to the YMCA and his passion for running. Omari reflects on how his early experiences with Y athletic programs shaped his commitment to fitness and mental well-being, drawing parallels between marathon training and the discipline...
On this episode of Y Connect, the hosts are excited to welcome a young trailblazer in agriculture. At just nine years old, the youngest certified farmer, author and founder of Kendall Rae’s Green Heart, Kendall Rae, shares her inspiring journey. Alongside her mom Ursula, she discusses how her love for farming began, the variety of fruits and vegetables she grows in her front and back yards, and how her passion evolved ...
The YMCA of Metro Atlanta's commitment to early learning, exemplified through its Head Start programs, significantly impacts children and families in the community. Dr. Andria McMichael, a dedicated leader within the organization, shares her excitement about the recent expansion of these programs, designed to provide children with the foundation they need to succeed. From inspiring personal stories, like a nonverbal ch...
Y Connect is thrilled to welcome Gene Kansas—a cultural developer, historic preservationist, and now the author of the powerful new book, Civil Sights: Sweet Auburn, A Journey Through Atlanta’s National Treasure.
After meeting Gene a few months ago, we quickly realized there’s a tremendous connection between the work he’s been doing through Constellations in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood, the vision of his...
Today, we’re diving into an incredible initiative that’s changing lives: the Y’s Boys and Young Men of Color strategy and the impact of the REACH program. Joining us are two extraordinary leaders making this work possible. Monteil Weeks, Group Vice President and Executive Director of the Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA, and Michael Levesque, Executive Director of the Morehouse College National Alumni Association, hav...
Welcome to a special episode of the (Y) Connect podcast as we celebrate two incredible years of storytelling, community impact, and meaningful conversations. In this episode, your hosts, Allison, Robert, and Zarinah, take a fun and heartfelt look back at the journey of (Y) Connect, sharing memorable moments, behind-the-scenes stories, and personal reflections.
And speaking of memorable moments... you’re in...
Today, we are thrilled to introduce you to one of the newest leaders in our organization, Veronica Squires, our Chief Philanthropy Officer. Veronica joined the Y in June, bringing her nearly two decades of experience in Atlanta’s nonprofit community. She has held leadership roles at esteemed organizations such as Posse Atlanta, The Good Samaritan Health Center, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. Her extensive bac...
Today on (Y) Connect, we're thrilled to highlight the story of a community rooted in strength, endurance, and an unwavering commitment to health and wellness. Joining us is Monte Fowler, a veteran member of the South Fulton Running Partners—the nation's oldest Black recreation running group. For decades, this remarkable group has shared a deep connection with the Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA, fostering a space whe...
Today on the Y Connect Podcast, we are discussing a powerful story of community partnership between the Carl E. Sanders at Buckhead Family YMCA and the Boyce L. Ansley School, an afterschool enrichment program designed to support students facing challenging life circumstances, including homelessness, economic hardship, or unforeseen setbacks.
Joining us are three key figures in this initiative: Jared Guye...
Today, we’re joined by someone who wears a couple of hats in her connection to the Y—Lindsey LeFaivre. Lindsey is not only a passionate Y member and mom who participates in programming for her young children at multiple Ys across the city, but she’s also the Vice President of Customer Success with AchieveIT. This software company helps the YMCA track and measure the success of our strategic plan. In this episode, we’ll...
We’re honored to have Georgia State Senator Sonya Halpern join us today.
Senator Halpern, who leads District 39, which includes neighborhoods in Atlanta, South Fulton, College Park, East Point and Union City. She has built an extraordinary career focused on advancing education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. As the Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus and Chair of the Fulton County Delegation,...
Today, we’re exploring the exciting world of youth development, focusing on the Y's reimagined after-school programs and our newly launched middle school clubs. Joining us are two outstanding leaders at the forefront of these efforts: Shauna-Kaye Davis, Vice President of Youth Programs for the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, and Tatyana Ferguson, Youth Development Director with the Villages at Carver Family YMCA in South Atlant...
Today, on (Y) Connect, we share a touching and inspiring story highlighting the transformative power of community, fitness, and perseverance. Louisa Merchant, a dedicated YMCA member, and Cindy Augustin, a beloved group exercise instructor who has played a pivotal role in Louisa’s journey, are joining us. Recently, Louisa penned a heartfelt letter to YMCA leaders, reflecting on her experience over the past few months a...
Today, we’re celebrating Welcoming Week 2024, a time dedicated to fostering inclusion and building bridges between all members of our community. With the theme "Belonging Begins With Us," we’ll explore how the Y creates spaces where everyone feels they belong. Jamie Day and Rob Wilson who lead membership efforts at the Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA are joining us, and they will share their insights and experiences on makin...
Today we are highlighting Jeff Beckham and Clark Dean’s Pathway to the (Y) stories. We learn that both of our guests became involved at the Y at a young age and their families both were active participants in sports and youth programs throughout the years. Because the Y has made a lasting impact on both of their families, which is a big reason they choose to serve the Y and their community.
IN THIS EPIS...
In this episode of Y Connect, we have the privilege of sitting down with Jeff Beckham, the esteemed Board Chair, and Clark Dean, the Vice Chair of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. As Clark prepares to step into the role of Board Chair, we reflect on Jeff's impactful tenure and look ahead to the future under Clark's leadership. With a combined wealth of experience, Jeff and Clark discuss the challenges, successes, and milesto...
Today’s Pathway to the (Y) features Saba Long, the Executive Director of Atlanta Civic Circle, and Tommy Pearce, Executive Director of Neighborhood Nexus. Join this laughter filled episode as we hear how the Y community and rec soccer have impacted their lives.
IN THIS EPISODE:
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[0:50] Saba reveals how her friends’ involvement with the Y...
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