(Y) Connect Podcast

Today we're speaking with a group of rock stars who are essential to the Y's success. While Y members may never see them at Y facilities, these individuals work every day to make the Y experience the best it can be. We're talking about the men and women–the voices on the other end of the phone–who make up our Member Service Center. Their stories of connection are heartwarming and offer valuable le...

In this week's Pathway to the Y, Georgia Senator Emanuel Jones reflects on the impact that the YMCA had on him both as a child and as a father, and how the YMCA helped shape his own children into empowered individuals. He speaks on his work with Chairman Blake Tillery to source the funding for Georgia's Department of Family and Children's Services. Senator Jones hopes to inspire others to voluntee...

We are honored to host State Senator Emanuel Jones as our latest guest on (Y) Connect. Jones recently helped establish an essential collaboration between the South DeKalb Y and the state's Department of Family and Children's Services. Instrumentally impacting the community by combating learning loss among under-resourced families, Senator Jones also joins us to share inspiring stories, including h...

Today's Pathway to the Y brings us the stories of Nicole Lovecchio,  Chief Social Emotional Learning Officer at Wings for Kids and Mary Moua, Quality Youth Programs Director at the Y. Nicole shares how the partnership between WINGS for Kids and the YMCA led her to the Y. Mary discovered the YMCA through her friends and family. Her passion for youth development led her into her career, with over 12...

Today's (Y) Connect delves into a topic encompassing the very essence of youth development–Social Emotional Learning. In this episode, we explore the connection between WINGS for Kids and the Y. WINGS for Kids has been partnering with the YMCA of Metro Atlanta for the last two years to integrate social-emotional learning into the lives of the children we serve. WINGS Chief SEL Officer Nicole Levec...

Today's Pathway to the (Y) is focused on Andrew Saltzman, Executive Vice President & Chief Revenue Officer of State Farm Arena and the Atlanta Hawks. Andrew's Y story was first influenced by his father, and later in life as he made Atlanta his home, Andrew's journey in community outreach brought him to the YMCA of Metro Atlanta.  Don't miss this exciting Pathway to the (Y).    IN THIS EPISODE: [0:...

Whether you're a die-hard basketball fan, a dedicated Y supporter, or just someone who loves hearing about the positive impact sports can have on our community, you won't want to miss this episode. The YMCA of Metro Atlanta and the Atlanta Hawks have teamed up in an incredible jersey patch partnership that will bring positive change to our community and take the game to a whole new level. Joining...

Today's Pathway to the (Y) is a little different as our hosts, Zarinah, Robert, and Allison celebrate (Y) Connect turning one. Today, they share their takeaways or lessons learned from hosting (Y) Connect that has influenced their roles within the YMCA and broader community. Tune in to be inspired by our hosts and get an inside peek into what goes on behind the scenes and the rippling impacts of t...

It's been one year since the (Y) Connect Podcast was launched, and what a year of sharing powerful stories of how the YMCA impacts the lives of so many people across metro Atlanta. Join the co-hosts, Robert, Zarinah, and Allison as they reflect on some of the most memorable stories of resilience, determination, belonging, advocacy, and impact.    IN THIS EPISODE: [3:04] Zarinah shares how Oliver,...

On today's Pathway to the (Y), Jamie Glenn and Devlin Anglin share how they became involved with the YMCA. Though their stories are different, they both bring unique perspectives on the impact of the Y and its programs. Tune in to hear their authentic stories.    IN THIS EPISODE: Jamie shares his Y story, which began at the age of four in California. Jamie discovered the sense of teamwork and frie...

Statistics tell us boys and young men of color are twice as likely to grow up in poverty. They are more likely to live in neighborhoods of concentrated poverty, and they are more likely to fall into poverty as adults, regardless of background. Since 2018, the YMCA has been working to change these statistics and narratives.  Through the Boys and Young Men of Color strategy, Ys provide safe spaces f...

Today, we have the privilege of sharing the Pathway stories of Membership Experience Director of the Robert D. Fowler Family Y, Robert Wilson and one of our newest Y Classics Club members, Lorraine Pousman. Tune in to today's episode to learn how the Y Classics Club connected Robert and Lorraine to their community in unexpected ways.    IN THIS EPISODE: Robert shares his first connection with the...

Today, we have the privilege of sharing a new chapter of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta story. The Y has launched the Y Classics Club celebrating the vitality of life's golden years. The Y Classics club lifts up the lives of members who have turned 90 years young by providing them with a lifetime membership to our Y.  Sharing the significance of the newly established Y Classics Club, is Membership Expe...

On today's Pathway to the (Y), we are joined by Gayle Battersby, the Community Engagement Director of the McCleskey Family Y and two amazing Y volunteers, Kim Harrison and Chris Hartley. Together they share their Pathway to the (Y) and how even though they've been members for different amounts of years, the YMCA has played a big part in each of their lives.    IN THIS EPISODE: Gayle shares how she...

When the YMCA of Metro Atlanta was first founded in 1858, the operation was solely run by volunteers. Today, 165 years later, volunteers continue to be the backbone of the Y.  One of the most remarkable examples of this happens every week in Cobb County. A core group of volunteers led by Gayle Battersby, Community Engagement Director of the McCleskey Family Y, bring groceries and resources to near...

On today's Pathway to the (Y), we are joined by Victoria Inman, the proud mother of a remarkable daughter on the autism spectrum, and a friend of the Y. Joining Victoria is Beth Costello, Aquatics Director and the Adaptive Sports Coach for the Decatur Family Y. Together these two extraordinary women share their Pathway to the (Y) and how the Aquatics Program has played a part in their lives.    IN...

With October being Disabilities Awareness Month, today on Y Connect we take the opportunity to introduce you to Victoria Inman, the proud mother of a remarkable daughter on the autism spectrum, and a friend of the Y. Victoria embarked on a mission to capture the essence of those who are differently abled in her captivating coffee table book called, "Spark Acceptance." The book features photos of o...

On today's Pathway to the (Y), we are joined by Yeni Garcia and Alma Galeana. Yeni is the Sr. Director of Family Services and Strategic Partnerships. Alma is a former participant of the Y's Early Learning Readiness Program and today serves as facilitator. Today, they share their pathways to the (Y) and how they continue to support the Y's bilingual community.    IN THIS EPISODE: Alma shares how he...

Thanks to generous support from philanthropic funders, for more than a decade the Y has made a meaningful impact connecting with Hispanic and Latino families preparing children for kindergarten. It's called the Early Learning Readiness program, and as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to shine a light on this bilingual mobile, evidence-based initiative that engages caregivers and their...

On today's Pathway to the (Y), Isaac White reflects on what brought him to the YMCA. Isaac's journey began as a parent of the Early Learning Program and today he leads the Fatherhood Initiative Task Force. Tune in to hear the powerful ways Isaac helps set dads up for success   IN THIS EPISODE: Isaac shares his story and what brought him to the YMCA.  Isaac shares how important community service is...

According to research, children whose fathers are engaged in their learning and speak with them frequently have greater academic success. Recognizing the impact a father has on the life of a child, the Y's Early Learning Program began the Fatherhood Initiative Task Force. Today you'll meet Isaac White who heads up the initiative and shares the powerful ways they are setting up dads for success.   ...

On today's episode of the Pathway to the (Y), Pamela Bishop, the founder and CEO of a data analytics and cloud computing company and Art Roman, business owner, mentor, and coach share how the YMCA helped shape their childhoods and led them to become prominent business owners. Tune in to hear how the diverse experiences the Y provides can empower children, and how Pamela and Art are paying it forwa...

Honoring Black Business Month, today we host two prominent black business owners who serve the Y as community engagement board members. Pamela Bishop is the founder and CEO of a data analytics and cloud computing company and Art Roman started a professional landscaping business as well as a nonprofit serving economically disadvantaged youth. These two brilliant business people share how they took...

On today's Pathway to the (Y), Jennifer Rewkowski, the VP of Community Health and Wellness and Sam Holly, the Wellness Director of the McCleskey-East Cobb YMCA in Marietta share what brought them into the YMCA community. Tune in to learn how they followed their passion for wellness and have benefited so many Y Members through the Coach Approach Program.    IN THIS EPISODE: Jennifer Rewkowski share...

Are you engaged in physical activity? Is your practice steady? Do obstacles hinder your fitness routine? Jennifer Rewkowski and Sam Holly tackle these questions and share the success stories of the Y's personal approach to wellbeing, otherwise known as the Coach Approach program. Through Coach Approach people cultivate a healthy lifestyle, elevate their mental health, and lower the likelihood of o...