Ep. 50 - Senator Sonya Halpern’s Commitment to the Y & Community
Release Date: 10/23/2024
Ep. 55 - The Hosts Reflect on Two Years of (Y) Connect
(Y) Connect
Welcome to a special episode of the (Y) Connect podcast as we celebrate two incredible years of storytelling, community impact, and meaningful conversations. In this episode, your hosts, Allison, Robert, and Zarinah, take a fun and heartfelt look back at the journey of (Y) Connect, sharing memorable moments, behind-the-scenes stories, and personal reflections. And speaking of memorable moments... you’re in for a treat! Robert showcases his incredible singing voice once again — a callback to the very first episode two years ago. Get ready for laughter, inspiration, and a walk down memory...
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(Y) Connect
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Ep. 53 - The Legacy of South Fulton Running Partners and the YMCA
(Y) Connect
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Ep. 52 - Hope and Opportunity: The Y & The Ansley School Alliance
(Y) Connect
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Ep. 51 - Connecting Family, Community, and Impact at the Y
(Y) Connect
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...
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Ep. 50 - Senator Sonya Halpern’s Commitment to the Y & Community
(Y) Connect
We’re honored to have Georgia State Senator Sonya Halpern join us today. Senator Halpern, who leads District 39, which includes neighborhoods in Atlanta, South Fulton, College Park, East Point and Union City. She has built an extraordinary career focused on advancing education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. As the Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus and Chair of the Fulton County Delegation, her leadership extends well beyond the legislature. Senator Halpern's deep community involvement with the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Andrew J. Young Foundation, and...
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Ep. 49 - Igniting Imagination: The Y’s After-School Programs Empower Youth
(Y) Connect
Today, we’re exploring the exciting world of youth development, focusing on the Y's reimagined after-school programs and our newly launched middle school clubs. Joining us are two outstanding leaders at the forefront of these efforts: Shauna-Kaye Davis, Vice President of Youth Programs for the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, and Tatyana Ferguson, Youth Development Director with the Villages at Carver Family YMCA in South Atlanta. Together, they’re transforming after-school hours into a time for exploration, imagination, and growth. From engaging clubs to career exploration and social-emotional...
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Ep. 48 - Finding Strength Through Community at the Y
(Y) Connect
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...
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Ep. 47 - Fostering Belonging: Welcoming Week at the Y
(Y) Connect
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...
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Pathway to the (Y) - Jeff Beckham and Clark Dean
(Y) Connect
Today we are highlighting Jeff Beckham and Clark Dean’s Pathway to the (Y) stories. We learn that both of our guests became involved at the Y at a young age and their families both were active participants in sports and youth programs throughout the years. Because the Y has made a lasting impact on both of their families, which is a big reason they choose to serve the Y and their community. IN THIS EPISODE: [1:00] Jeff learned how to swim at his local YMCA at a young age. When he became a father and it was time for his children to learn how to swim, Jeff enrolled his sons at...
info_outlineWe’re honored to have Georgia State Senator Sonya Halpern join us today.
Senator Halpern, who leads District 39, which includes neighborhoods in Atlanta, South Fulton, College Park, East Point and Union City. She has built an extraordinary career focused on advancing education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. As the Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus and Chair of the Fulton County Delegation, her leadership extends well beyond the legislature. Senator Halpern's deep community involvement with the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Andrew J. Young Foundation, and the YMCA of Metro Atlanta—where she's been a long-time board member—has been pivotal in advancing equity and the Y's mission. Don’t miss this conversation with such a dedicated advocate for positive change.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- [4:42] Senator Halpern reveals why she joined the Y’s board and how her work with the Y aligned with her mission to empower underserved communities
- [7:13] Senator’s perspective on how the Y aligns with statewide initiatives
- [12:13] The Senator discusses fundamental principles she learned in building partnerships and the need for child care and pre-K learning
- [22:17] Discussion of Senate Bill 235 to promote growth in the communities around HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and the specific existing needs
- [30:25] How the Y’s commitment to youth leadership aligns with the Senator's beliefs and initiatives
- [35:40] The Senator explains how she remains grounded and balanced as busy as she is
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- The Y played a crucial role in helping to develop state-level legislation on drowning prevention, working closely with lawmakers to shape the bill that is now law. Swimming safety is a daily practice and priority at the Y.
- The Y’s early learning centers have mobilized volunteers to support Pre-K Reading Week, contributing to a statewide initiative and enhancing government efforts through existing programs.
- Literacy has been a significant focus for the Y over the past two years, recognizing that early success in kindergarten readiness is crucial for ensuring students can read at grade level by third and fifth grades. This effort is vital for building a talented, diverse, and productive future workforce, and the Y is working to ensure that all young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential through literacy initiatives.
RESOURCE LINKS:
Senator Sonya Halpern - Website
Senator Sonya Halpern - LinkedIn
BIOGRAPHY:
Senator Sonya Halpern was first elected in 2020 and serves in her second term in the Georgia State Senate. Representing neighborhoods across five cities, including Atlanta, District 39 is one of the most socio-economically diverse districts in Georgia and the country. Sen. Halpern is a passionate leader blending business and political acumen with a heart for community. She has quickly embraced leadership roles as the elected Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus and Chair of the Fulton County Delegation. She is a proud co-sponsor/sponsor of more than 15 bills, now Georgia state law.
Sen. Halpern’s engagement with the community extends beyond politics. She currently serves on the YMCA of Metro Atlanta's Executive Committee, where she co-chaired their $70 million “Here for Good” campaign. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Regents at the University of Hartford. She is a founding co-chair of the Electing Women Alliance/Atlanta, a founding member of the Atlanta School for the Arts Foundation, a lifetime member of the NAACP, a member of the League of Women Voters, and the African American Leadership Council of the Democratic National Committee. Sen. Halpern earned her Master's in Business Administration from the University of Hartford’s International MBA program and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
She lives in Atlanta with her husband and three children.