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 background, combined with her Executive MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, equips her to advance the Y’s mission significantly. As Chief Philanthropy Officer, Veronica is focused on growing philanthropic revenue to ensure more families can experience the life-changing opportunities the Y provides. Beyond her professional expertise, Veronica is also a published author, having written How Neighborhoods Make Us Sick: Restoring Health and Wellness in Our Communities, a compelling exploration of how we can work together to build healthier, more equitable neighborhoods.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [3:25] Why Veronica accepted the position of Chief Philanthropy Officer

• [8:52] Why did Veronica have an interest in fundraising for the Y

• [9:32] What stands out about the Y’s mission in serving the community

• [12:01] How philanthropy is presented to donors

• [14:59] A discussion on Veronica’s book How Neighborhoods Make Us Sick: Restoring Health and Wellness in Our Communities

• [22:02] Tis the season for philanthropy towards the Y

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The Y's mission combines consistency across branches with unique customization to meet each community's needs, creating spaces where individuals of all ages can thrive

• The Y exemplifies how philanthropy and community go hand in hand by driving meaningful transformation at the neighborhood level. As highlighted in How Neighborhoods Make Us Sick, real change requires responsiveness to each community's unique needs, combined with a team's collective efforts. The Y's longstanding mission to strengthen communities demonstrates that community health, equity, and empowerment thrive through collaboration and the infrastructure of a dedicated organization, making it a powerful force for good

• Philanthropy plays a vital role in supporting the Y's mission to strengthen communities, and every contribution, regardless of size, has an impact. While the Y is a large organization, it relies on an army of faithful small donors whose collective generosity fuels its mission work. Even a modest gift can make a meaningful difference this holiday season, demonstrating that philanthropy is not just about large institutional giving but also about the power of individuals coming together to create change

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

How Neighborhoods Make Us Sick - Book

BIOGRAPHY:

Veronica Squires, an executive MBA from Emory's Goizueta Business School, joins the YMCA of Metro Atlanta as its Chief Philanthropy Officer. She has nearly 20 years of experience in Atlanta’s non-profit community, holding leadership positions at Posse Atlanta, The Good Samaritan Health Center, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. In her new role, she will grow philanthropic revenue so that even more families can belong there.

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 where individuals unite to run and uplift one another. Monte brings a unique perspective as someone who grew up at the Y served on the YMCA board, and has dedicated years to this running community.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [3:42] Monte’ shares how he began his journey at the Y

• [6:21] Why Monte’ joined the South Fulton Running Partners and its legacy

• [11:05] How the Y has played a supporting role to the Partners and the community and the Y’s contribution to wellness

• [18:37] Why the Y is unique to community wellness

• [20:24] Advice to anyone interested in joining the Running Partners and what to expect

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Running offers more than physical fitness—it fosters lifelong health, builds discipline, and creates a supportive community. By embracing running, individuals can defy age-related health declines, find mentorship, and discover the "fountain of youth" through sweat, commitment, and connection

• The South Fulton Running Partners is a community of role models who embody service, mentorship, and giving back. Leaders like Bob Holmes and William and Lou Stanley showcase the impact of discipline and community, offering life-changing mentorship and inspiring purpose and integrity

• The YMCA in Atlanta is more than a gym—it’s a pillar of holistic community building, nurturing physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being. The running partners have exemplified this ethos for over four decades, forming a family bound by shared values. The Y teaches fitness, fosters lifelong relationships, and supports members through every stage of life. It’s a place to grow, thrive, and find a true community

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

BIOGRAPHY:

Monte’ Fowler is a long-standing Y and South Fulton Running Partners member and a seasoned professional with 23+ years in product management, technology, and consulting. As a Product Manager at Cox Communications, he oversees a $300M+ product portfolio and has launched innovative tools, earning the 2021 Synergy Award and multiple PIL awards.

Dedicated to community service, Monte’ has served on boards for Cascade Elementary, Beecher Hills Elementary, the Center for Working Families, and the YMCA. He has also directed the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia’s largest fundraiser.

Monte’ holds an Executive MBA from Georgia Tech, a B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering, and certifications in AI and Lean Six Sigma. His expertise in technology and passion for service make him an outstanding podcast guest.

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 explore how Lindsey’s family benefits from the Y, what it’s like to be part of a community serving people of all ages, and how her professional expertise is helping the Y evolve and expand its impact.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [3:37] Lindsey talks about her journey to the Y and the convenience of experiencing the different Y’s in Atlanta

• [12:06] Lindsey explains how her company integrates with the Y, enabling the Y to track its success

• [15:36] Lindsey describes the volunteer event AhieveIt hosted at the Y for older adults who have survived breast cancer, and she explains what she finds exciting about the Y

• [20:15] Different fitness programs are offered at various Y locations. Lindsey emphasizes the cost-benefit of joining the Y as opposed to a private fitness club, and she talks about the resource the Y is for underserved communities

• [25:12] Lindsey shares her vision for the evolving Y, capitalizing on toddlers

• [29:59 Lindsey’s message to parents

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The Y is much more than just swimming—many people don’t realize its wide range of activities and programs. In Atlanta, different Y locations provide various opportunities for kids throughout the school year, on weekends, and during summer camps. If you haven’t explored your local Y yet, do yourself and your family a favor and check it out!

• A YMCA membership is both affordable and packed with value. Compared to private classes and gyms, the Y offers a wide range of activities at a fraction of the cost, making it accessible for all. Adults enjoy the Y as much as kids do—you can join in on activities or take a well-deserved break while your child participates.

• The Y provides a safe environment for children, giving parents peace of mind that their kids are well cared for. Plus, the Y hosts seasonal events like Trunk or Treat, Fall Festivals, and more for families to enjoy.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

AcheiveIt - Website

Lindsey LaFaivre - LinkedIn

BIOGRAPHIES: Lindsey LaFaivre

In addition to being an avid fan and member of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Lindsey LaFaivre is the Vice President of Customer Success for a software company called AchieveIt. She has been with AchieveIt for six years. She has over 10 years of experience in Customer Success – specifically working in SaaS platforms and has assisted hundreds of clients in tracking their most important initiatives and growing their business. Lindsey has been a resident of Atlanta since 2018 and, before that, lived in Phoenix, AZ, where she got her bachelor's degree from Arizona State University. She lives in Westview with her husband, their two young daughters, and a very large dog, appropriately named Cheesecake. In her free time, she enjoys thrift shopping, biking and spending time with friends and family. She's been a member of YMCA Atlanta since 2022.

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 and how the Y has helped her regain physical strength and a renewed sense of hope. We’re thrilled to have them here to share their incredible stories and the profound impact the YMCA has had on their lives.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [2:24] Louisa shares what initially drew her to the Y and kept her connected for 15 years, and Cindy responds to Louisa’s heartfelt feelings about the Y, and Louisa discusses the difficulty in reconnecting with her body after the pandemic

• [9:13] Cindy talks about the atmosphere she creates in her class, and Louisa shares how the diversity offered at the Y built her confidence

• [18:46] Louisa discusses how the Y helps her in her position as she works with the All Saints Church in their refugee program, and she gives examples of how the Y has helped refugees

• [24:20] Cindy discusses the collaboration she is looking forward to with her daughter, who was recently hired, and Louisa talks about the importance of human relationships

• [29:27] Cindy shares her Y story, and Louisa shares how it feels to be a part of an organization that makes such a wide-reaching impact on lives across Atlanta

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The Y is a safe place. It offers personal safety and an atmosphere of acceptance, no matter what your background

• Cindy makes her SokaSweat class fun for every age and ability to participate at their level

• Louisa felt confident about doing a cycling class because she trusted Linda, the trainer, and felt comfortable with her
  

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

BIOGRAPHIES:

Louisa Merchant, a member of the YMCA for 15 years, is the director of All Saints Episcopal Church Refugee Ministries and connects volunteers to work in teams to help refugee families adjust to the difficult transition of living in the US. She credits dancing and being in the Y community empowering her to be more present in the world.

Cindy Augustin has been a Group Exercise Instructor at the East Lake YMCA since September 2022. She and her family became members of the Y in 2016. She teaches Dance parties and Line Dance, but her journey with dance did not start there. Cindy’s curiosity and passion for dance began in high school while participating in a church play. This led to her participation in various genres of dance classes. In 2000, Cindy left her job as a business analyst to start a family with her husband. However, she continued to pursue her passion for dance by creating a Performing Arts company, Vessels Arts and Education, in 2011 with her three daughters as her first students. As her company grew, it led to teaching opportunities at various private and public schools. Cindy now applies her analytical skills to assess community needs. She aims to use her Caribbean culture, arts, and fitness to facilitate creative and fun classes, transforming timid and disinterested students into self-health advocates.

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 making Welcoming Week a powerful expression of community connection.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [0:42] The hosts use their imaginations
• [3:54] Welcoming Week 2024 and Jamie and Rob give an overview of their positions at the Tull-Gwinnett Family Y
• [7:04] Discussion of what it is like being a Y member at Tull-Gwinnett. Jamie shares the work that led her to work with Hispanic communities and what the Y5 team has accomplished through the YUSA grant
• [16:20] Rob discusses why Welcoming Week is crucial for the Y
• [19:53] Jamie explains how they foster connections between newcomers and long-standing members, and Rob says the success of Welcoming Week is the Y stories they hear
• [25:07] Both Jamie and Rob share memorable stories from past Welcoming Weeks
• [28:38] Jamie and Rob share their Y stories

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• The Y has added the ability to translate data on its website into your native language
• Y5 is a smaller group of professionals focusing on strategically advancing topic-specific goals
• The Y is free during Welcoming Week. Come check it out

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

BIOGRAPHIES:

Jamie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of North Georgia, where she honed her skills in public relations, media, and marketing.

Starting in 2015 at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, with just a few hours per week, she worked up to the Membership Experience Director position after graduation. In her current role, she leads enhancing member retention, acquisition, and growth, ensuring we provide outstanding service and value to our dynamic community. Outside work, she enjoys tackling DIY projects, playing with her dog, and finding the perfect cup of coffee. With an ever-curious mind and a commitment to helping others, she brings a positive attitude and a smile to everything she does, striving to make a meaningful impact. Jamie is passionate about fostering equitable and welcoming spaces and bridging gaps to create inclusive environments.

Rob Wilson earned a B.A. in Communications from the University of Louisiana. Through college, he fundraised for NPR, public television and college radio. After earning a degree, he worked in children’s book publishing, and he has

Twenty years experience in property management with a focus on renovation, construction, and repurposing of town properties. His journey with the Y started in 2008, working part-time at the Y's front desk, then as a wellness coach, and ultimately becoming a Membership Experience Director. Rob's passion is engaging our senior community, as he started Lifelong Learners at the Tull-Gwinnett Family Y and the Fowler Family Y.