(Y) Connect copertina

(Y) Connect

(Y) Connect

Di: Allison Toller Zarinah Winston & Robert Wright
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A proposito di questo titolo

 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 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...2024 Igiene e vita sana
Episodi
  • What 2025 Taught Us at (Y) Connect

    What 2025 Taught Us at (Y) Connect
    Dec 31 2025
    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: Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta LinkedIn: YMCA Metro Atlanta 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 Ep. 40 - Summer at YMCA Camp High Harbour Ep. 53 - The Legacy of South Fulton Running Partners and the YMCA Ep. 73 - Fueling the Y's Impact: When Companies Listen to What Communities Need
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    38 min
  • The Heart of Head Start: How the Y Supports Children & Families Every Day

    The Heart of Head Start: How the Y Supports Children & Families Every Day
    Dec 17 2025
    The YMCA's Head Start programs provide comprehensive support that transforms entire families, not just children. In this powerful episode of Y Connect, hosts Zarinah, Robert, and Allison speak with early childhood education leaders LaShaundra McDonald and Shamyra Thompson about the life-changing work happening at YMCA early learning centers. Both directors share their personal journeys from being Head Start parents to becoming passionate advocates for family support services. They discuss how comprehensive child development goes beyond academics to include mental health support, workforce development, and addressing food insecurity. Learn how meaningful family support creates opportunities that change entire family trajectories through parent engagement, fatherhood initiatives, and collaborative community partnership programs. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Head Start programs provide comprehensive child development that addresses academic, social, emotional, and physical needs while supporting entire families through resource connections and workforce development opportunities. ✅ Why parent engagement and family support services are critical components of effective early childhood education, including how family service associates build trusting relationships and connect families with housing, food, and mental health support resources. ✅ How personal experiences as Head Start parents shaped LaShaundra McDonald and Shamyra Thompson's leadership approaches, enabling them to create welcoming early learning centers where families feel safe, seen, and supported through initiatives like the fatherhood initiative. 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 Head Start programs and their impact on early childhood education, and LaShaundra shares how volunteering led her to discover her passion for working with children 05:53 Shamyra explains how the Head Start program helped her complete her GED and build a career in early learning centers 10:04 Description of a high-quality classroom, including age-appropriate materials and open-ended questions 13:05 Discussion of meaningful family support beyond academics, including workforce development, rental assistance, food resources, and mental health support for children 15:48 The fatherhood initiative, including daddy daycare events, classroom activities and parent engagement opportunities 21:55 Head Start programs work when communities partner together to provide comprehensive child development for entire families KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 Head Start programs deliver comprehensive child development while simultaneously supporting parents through family support services, resource connections, and workforce development opportunities that transform entire family trajectories. 💎 Early childhood education requires strong parent engagement and family service associates who build trusting relationships with families, understand their unique challenges, and proactively connect them with resources for housing, food insecurity, mental health support, and employment. 💎 Leaders like LaShaundra McDonald and Shamyra Thompson demonstrate how personal experience as Head Start parents enriches their leadership in early learning centers. ABOUT THE GUEST: LaShaundra McDonald is the Center Director at the Dean Rusk YMCA Head Start Academy with over 23 years of experience in the Early Learning field. LaShaundra has a Master's in both Human Services and Early Childhood Education. It is her goal to ensure that each child is provided a high-quality education in a safe and respectful environment that acknowledges and respects the diversity of each family, culture, and socio-economic background, while continuing to foster a foundation for life-long learning. Shamyra Thompson serves as the Center Director/FSA for the YMCA Barrow County Early Learning Center. With 19 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, Mrs. Thompson holds a TCC, Diploma, and Associate's degree in Early Care and Education, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. She has also earned her 40-hour Director's Training Credential. Head Start has been a defining part of her professional journey—both as a former Head Start parent and now as an experienced Head Start educator. Her educational philosophy centers on creating a positive, developmentally enriching learning environment that builds a strong foundation for lifelong learning. She firmly believes that every child deserves access to high-quality education and exceptional care during their early years. Mrs. Thompson is honored to serve in her current role and is committed to continued growth and leadership within the Head Start program. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta ...
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    25 min
  • Ep. 75 Shared International Purpose: The Y Welcomes Tushig from Mongolia

    Ep. 75 Shared International Purpose: The Y Welcomes Tushig from Mongolia
    Dec 3 2025
    Today on Y Connect, we're stepping into a global conversation. Over the past several weeks, our team has had the privilege of hosting Tushig Samdan, a nonprofit leader from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, who was in Atlanta through the U.S. Department of State's Professional Fellows Program. Tushig has spent nearly a decade leading the Badraa Foundation to Justice, an organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for Mongolian university students. Joining Tushig for today's conversation is our colleague Ryan Greenstein, the Y's Advocacy Program Manager. Ryan first learned about this fellowship through his work at The Carter Center, and he actually spent time in Mongolia last year on an exchange visit before joining the Y. Ryan and Tushig worked together over the previous few weeks, and today we get to learn from their shared experience. We're excited to talk about what brought Tushig to the U.S., what she's learned during her time with the YMCA, and the ways global partnerships can strengthen local impact. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How international exchange programs foster nonprofit leadership development through the U.S. Department of State's Professional Fellows Program, creating opportunities for cross-cultural learning and building sustainable government partnerships that strengthen community impact across continents. ✅ Strategies for building sustainable alum mentorship networks and educational opportunity initiatives that create long-term organizational sustainability, including how fundraising models and endowments can support youth development across generations. ✅ The power of community engagement and nonprofit collaboration in addressing challenges during uncertain times, demonstrating how civic organizations work together with corporations and government to prioritize community needs and create intentional partnerships. 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 Tushig Samdan from Mongolia and Ryan Greenstein discuss international exchange programs and nonprofit leadership development 02:54 Tushig describes her professional development experience through the Professional Fellows Program, emphasizing cross-cultural learning and community engagement 04:57 Ryan shares his reciprocal Mongolia visit and the importance of hosting fellows from civic organizations to build government partnerships and strengthen international relationships 06:49 Tushig highlights impressive nonprofit collaboration between universities, corporations, and communities, noting how alumni mentorship programs create educational opportunity for students 14:03 Discussion of Y's community impact through early learning, teen leadership training, and accessible programs from infants to seniors, demonstrating organizational sustainability 17:50 The differences in fundraising models between Mongolia and the United States, and the value of the international exchange programs 25:24 Tushig shares her vision for creating Mongolia's first education-oriented endowment inspired by the Carter Center's model for building sustainable youth development 28:11 Closing gratitude and acknowledgment of host family, social enterprise connections, and the upcoming 2026 reciprocal exchange opportunity KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 International exchange programs create a powerful return on investment for nonprofit leadership development by fostering lasting relationships between nations. Tushig's four-week experience through the Professional Fellows Program demonstrated how cross-cultural learning builds stronger leaders who carry lessons back home. 💎 Sustainable nonprofit collaboration requires intentional partnerships between civic organizations, corporations, and government. The stark difference between U.S. and Mongolian nonprofit ecosystems lies in established fundraising models, formal support systems, and coordinated responses during challenging times, such as government shutdowns, where community engagement ensures vulnerable populations continue to receive services. 💎 Building organizational sustainability beyond individual leadership creates generational impact. Inspired by the Carter Center's endowment model, designed to last beyond President Carter's lifetime, Tushig envisions creating Mongolia's first education-oriented endowment to support youth development, alum mentorship, and educational opportunity forever, transforming short-term passion into long-term community impact through social enterprise thinking. ABOUT THE GUEST: Munkhtushig (Tushig) Samdan is a board member of the Badraa Foundation to Justice, an education-oriented NGO in Mongolia established in 2006 to promote educational equity and empowerment. The foundation is dedicated to supporting Mongolian university students pursuing bachelor's ...
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    29 min
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