(Y) Connect

By: Allison Toller Zarinah Winston & Robert Wright
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  • Summary

  • 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...
    2024
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Hygiene & Healthy Living
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Episodes
  • Ep. 58 - Growing the Y’s Reach through Early Learning

    Ep. 58 - Growing the Y’s Reach through Early Learning
    Feb 12 2025

    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 child beginning to speak after just days in the program, to the call for volunteers and community partnerships, the YMCA is creating lasting community connections that nurture both the minds and hearts of children, preparing them to become the future leaders who will take care of us all.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • [2:12] Dr. McMichael shares how the expansion of the early centers occurred in the YMCA

    • [7:49] Dr. McMichael shares some community needs of Richmond County

    • [11:15] Community connection and how Hurricane Helene impacted the centers

    • [14:11] The Head Start program and the services it provides

    • [18:49] The partnership between the Augusta YMCA and the Head Start program

    • [21:35] What excites Dr. McMichael about this expansion and an inspiring story

    • [24:38] How Y Connect listeners can support these efforts

    KEY TAKEAWAYS:

    • The YMCA has successfully expanded its early learning programs into Richmond County, opening two new Head Start centers in 2024 and three others launched in November. This expansion was driven by the availability of a federal grant and the need for quality early learning opportunities in the region.

    • The response from the Richmond County community has been overwhelmingly positive, with families and teachers excited about the new opportunities after a previous Head Start provider closed. The YMCA’s efforts were particularly impactful during Hurricane Helene, providing aid and services to families in need and reinforced the organization’s deep connection with the community.

    • Dr. McMichael emphasized the importance of conducting a community assessment to align services with local needs, such as addressing the low proficiency rates in math and reading and the high percentage of families qualifying for reduced lunch. The YMCA’s Head Start programs aim to provide a solid foundation for children while supporting the broader community through various resources and partnerships.

    RESOURCE LINKS:

    Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Head Start Program - Website

    Dr. Andria McMichael - Bio

    BIOGRAPHY:

    Andria McMichael, Ed.D., is the Chief Education Officer for the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, leading efforts to provide top-tier early learning programs for children and families. She oversees signature initiatives like Read Right from the Start, STEAM, Start for Life, and Early Learning Readiness across seven counties and 13 centers, focusing on quality, growth, and partnerships. Before joining the Y in 2019, Andria held leadership roles in Fairfax County Public Schools, Imagine Schools, and the University of the District of Columbia. She began her career in DeKalb County Schools and SCITREK. A Spelman College graduate, she holds advanced degrees and certifications from Central Michigan University, Georgia State, Harvard, and Argosy University.
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    27 mins
  • Ep. 57 - Sweet Auburn & the Y: Preservation & Community Impact

    Ep. 57 - Sweet Auburn & the Y: Preservation & Community Impact
    Jan 29 2025
    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 book, and the YMCA’s mission to empower youth and build stronger communities. Civil Sights isn’t just a history of Sweet Auburn—it’s a call to action to preserve the places and stories that have shaped movements and lives, including here in Atlanta. Today, we’ll dive into the inspiring stories in Civil Sights, explore the YMCA’s historic ties to Sweet Auburn, and discuss how we can all contribute to preserving history while creating opportunities for the future. Gene, welcome to Y Connect! We're so excited to have you here. IN THIS EPISODE: [5:21] Sweet Auburn's historical significance [10:53] The YMCA's role in Sweet Auburn [14:13] Gene reads an excerpt from his book [17:23] Why preservation goes beyond buildings [24:51] The unsung heroes of Sweet Auburn [31:00] Getting involved in historical preservation [36:31] Details of Gene's book launch events in February [38:58] Gene sheds insight on the importance of learning from history KEY TAKEAWAYS: The Butler Street YMCA's historical significance in Sweet Auburn is profound, serving as a cornerstone for black commerce and culture. It was a hub where influential leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Maynard Jackson Jr. gathered, fostering civic engagement and social change. This legacy underscores the YMCA's pivotal role in shaping community dynamics and advancing civil rights. Preservation extends beyond saving buildings; it's about safeguarding stories and traditions. Through storytelling, we connect with history, ensuring that the lessons of the past inform our future. This approach to preservation emphasizes the importance of community narratives, highlighting unsung heroes and fostering a deeper understanding of cultural heritage. Gene’s vision for Sweet Auburn involves a blend of historic preservation and contemporary development. By integrating new, responsible projects with the rich history of the area, we can create vibrant, engaging spaces that honor the past while embracing the future. This balance is crucial for maintaining the neighborhood's cultural significance and ensuring its continued relevance. RESOURCE LINKS: Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta Civil Sights: Sweet Auburn, A Journey Through Atlanta’s National Treasure Gene Kansas LinkedIn BIO: Inspired by a vibrant, culturally rich upbringing in New Orleans, Gene Kansas has established himself as a visionary champion of historic preservation, adaptive reuse, community building, and storytelling through the built environment. Each Gene Kansas project masterfully blends an appreciation of culture and history with creative, responsible, and vital refashioning, bringing new relevance to space and how it is used and enjoyed. An award-winning historic preservationist and real estate developer, Gene leads with passion and purpose, combining bold, forward-thinking vision with a mindset of giving back. At Gene Kansas | Commercial Real Estate, Gene and team focus on building up history, not over it. Gene is also Founder of Constellations, a thoughtful and supportive, culturally based workspace in Atlanta's historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood focused on civic and social difference-making. Gene is the author of Civil Sights (University of Georgia Press, February 2025), and has been published in the AJC, Atlanta Magazine, Atlanta Business Chronicle, and numerous other publications. As creator and host of award-winning Sidewalk Radio, Gene explored life in the modern city through the lens of history and the context of community on Atlanta's AM 1690 "Voice of the Arts."
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    43 mins
  • Ep. 56 - Empowering Boys and Young Men of Color: The Y and Morehouse College Partnership

    Ep. 56 - Empowering Boys and Young Men of Color: The Y and Morehouse College Partnership
    Jan 15 2025
    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, have combined their expertise and passion to create the REACH program. This program connects young men of color at the Y with mentors from Morehouse College, providing them with invaluable guidance, college exposure, and the tools to build bright futures. We’ll explore the origins of REACH, the partnership between the YMCA and Morehouse College, and how this innovative program addresses critical challenges while fostering a sense of brotherhood and purpose. IN THIS EPISODE: [2:29] The strategy and goals behind Boys and Young Men of Color and the partnership with Morehouse College National Alumni Association’s Reach program [16:37] Monteil shares a story of a changed life [25:52] Discussion of the success of the programs has overcome stereotypes of boys and young men of color [33:19] Mentorship between college students and youth [41:19] Discussion of the YMCA’s Historic Scholars [44:23] Discussion of what success looks like in the REACH program. [53:30] How the listener can support these efforts KEY TAKEAWAYS: The YMCA and Morehouse College partnership through the REACH program has been successful, fostering growth, brotherhood, and mentorship for young men of color with a focus on shared missions and long-term support. The program emphasizes high expectations and access to resources for young men of color. The program fosters hope and agency in the youth by expecting the highest standards and providing access to cutting-edge technology, knowledgeable mentors, and ample opportunities. This approach not only empowers them but also helps dispel stereotypes. The success of the REACH program is measured by its impact on students' life choices, resilience, and confidence. It helps them pursue greater opportunities, embrace failure as growth, and improve communication with their families, all while preparing them for a larger world and showing they belong. RESOURCE LINKS: Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta Boys and Young Men of Color REACH Program BIOGRAPHIES: Monteil D. Weeks has been Executive Director of the Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA since 2020 and Group Vice President for several YMCAs in Metro Atlanta, leading the Boys & Young Men of Color Strategy. She began her YMCA career in 1990 as a tutoring instructor with AmeriCorps and has contributed to developing four YMCAs in the area. Key accomplishments include creating a "welfare to work" program for the City of Atlanta Housing Authority and opening YMCAs in redeveloped mixed-income neighborhoods. A 1990 Spelman College graduate from Brooklyn, Monteil serves on the Jamie Foxx Learn Through Laughter Foundation Board. Michael Levesque has been the Executive Director of the Morehouse College National Alumni Association since 2018 and co-recipient of the 2018 Alumnus of the Year Award. With over two decades of leadership experience in nonprofit, Fortune 100, and privately held organizations, he has led youth development programs in partnership with schools, agencies, churches, and community groups. Notable collaborations include the Boys and Girls Clubs, NFTE, YMCA, and the University of Chicago. A Detroit native and Kappa Alpha Psi member, Michael credits his family, the Boys and Girls Club of Detroit, and Morehouse College for inspiring his passion for service.
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    58 mins

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