Before we jump into another year of Y Connect, we wanted to pause and look back.
2025 was a meaningful year for this podcast. We sat down with members, staff, partners, and community leaders who reminded us why the YMCA matters and how deeply it shows up in people's lives. We heard stories of belonging, resilience, leadership, and impact that stayed with us long after the microphones were turned off.
Today, we are reflecting on our favorite moments from this past year, the conversations that surprised us, what we learned about the YMCA that we didn't fully understand before, and what we're excited about as we begin our 4th year of Y Connect in 2026.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How YMCA community programs like the REACH program and Boys and Young Men of Color initiative transform lives through mentorship with Morehouse and Spelman students at Camp High Harbor
✅ The power of community engagement and partnership building as demonstrated through collaborations with corporations like Carter's and Gas South that prioritize employee wellness and early learning support
✅ Why nonprofit storytelling through podcasting strengthens advocacy day efforts and helps staff appreciate the breadth of youth development, adaptive swim program, and active older adults services beyond their individual roles
Join the Y Connect Podcast to discover inspiring stories of transformation and wellness. Tune in for practical tips and community-driven insights on fitness transformation. Subscribe now to elevate your fitness journey!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 The Y Connect's annual reflection episode on three years of YMCA community programs and storytelling
04:11 Robert shares Kendall Rae's story, Georgia's youngest farmer, Zarinah reflects on the Mermaids, and Allison shares Martha Haythorn's story
08:43 Discussion of Boys and Young Men of Color initiative, the REACH program at Camp High Harbor and Advocacy Day
18:14 How community engagement and belonging manifest through active older adults, running clubs, and partnership building with corporate sponsors
27:26 Looking ahead to 2026: More youth development voices, cancer survivor stories, and the Y's new strategic planning initiatives
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
💎 Personal connections drive lasting impact at the YMCA—from Jim Snotty's 100+ pound weight loss journey, to the Northwest Y mermaids' decades-long friendships that demonstrate how YMCA community programs create genuine belonging beyond fitness goals
💎 Advocacy day transforms staff perspective by showing how individual programs work and connect to broader systemic change—Robert's experience moving from serving one population to advocating for financial support across multiple community engagement initiatives revealed the power of a unified voice in nonprofit storytelling
💎 Corporate partnership building works best when companies prioritize internal employees first—Carly Stevens from Gas South emphasized ensuring workers have access to resources before expanding external community programs, a philosophy that strengthens authentic health and wellness impact
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Ep. 59 - Kendall Rae Johnson: Georgia's Youngest Farmer
Ep. 62 - Martha Haythorn Is Redefining Advocacy and Community
ENCORE: Diving in with the Mermaids at the Y
Ep. 56 - Empowering Boys and Young Men of Color: The Y and Morehouse College Partnership
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