Ep. 52 - Hope and Opportunity: The Y & The Ansley School Alliance

Today on the Y Connect Podcast, we are discussing a powerful story of community partnership between the Carl E. Sanders at Buckhead Family YMCA and the Boyce L. Ansley School, an afterschool enrichment program designed to support students facing challenging life circumstances, including homelessness, economic hardship, or unforeseen setbacks. 

Joining us are three key figures in this initiative: Jared Guyer, Executive Director of the Buckhead Y; Ray James, Head of School at Boyce Ansley; and Rachael Barron, a Y board member and CEO of Effective Students, to share insights on the program's structure, its impact on students and families, and the importance of community support. This episode underscores the transformative power of collaboration and the need for ongoing community engagement and advocacy. Join today’s enriching conversation and to learn more about how you can support this life-changing initiative. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [2:35] Robert introduces the partnership between the Buckhead YMCA and Boyce L. Ansley School and the inspiration behind the collaboration

• [6:31] Ray outlines the school's goal of eradicating generational poverty through education, mentorship, and providing essential supplies and services to their students

• [12:12] Jared discusses how the program is funded through community support and fundraising efforts. Rachel shares insights on the board's innovative responsibilities and the importance of community needs

• [16:42] How the program’s structure best impacts the students and their families

• [20:21] Jared explains the importance of volunteers and collaboration between organizations for effective community support, highlighting the significance of being curious and committed in community engagement efforts

• [27:26] The Ansley School and the unique services and support it offers creates an impact students and their families as well as the staff and volunteers working with students

• [29:55] Encouraging community support and awareness for the Ansley School's mission and services

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• The Y and the The Ansley School Alliance are committed to eradicating generational poverty through education by utilizing community mentorship, enriching activities, and the comprehensive structure of the after-school program

• The afterschool program doesn’t just benefit the students that attend the program, it has also made positive impacts on their families and the mentors that volunteer

• The Ansley School Alliance is a life-changing resource that supports families experiencing economic hardship, homelessness, education barriers, medical setbacks, and so much more. The school is 100% tuition free, which means it relies solely on community support, volunteers, donations, and word of mouth to spread awareness of the growing need for similar programs in the community

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook:  YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Carl E. Sanders at Buckhead Family YMCA

Boyce L. Ansley School-Website

BIOGRAPHIES: 

Jared Guyer, Executive Director of the Carl E. Sanders at Buckhead Family YMCA is a results-driven, community-minded executive with more than 10 years of experience in leadership development, partnership development, facility and program operations, customer experience, strategic communications, and community engagement. 

Jared has been a leader in a variety of Ys throughout the movement. In addition to working for the YMCA of Metro Atlanta, he led youth, family and membership programs for the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA as well as serving as the Executive Director of the YMCA of South Hampton Roads in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Adept at fostering a cohesive culture across diverse stakeholders, including team members, community members, and external partners, Jared has a proven and successful track record of collaborating with non-profits, educational institutions, and other service providers to address community needs.

 

Rachael Barron, Y Board Member

A graduate of Emory University, Rachael has spent her professional career coaching and solving complex educational problems. From applying problem solving and vision casting skills in the business environment through applying these principles to the education realm, she excels at helping individual students and families find educational success. Prior to founding Effective Students, Rachael solved complex educational problems in her role as an educational advocate mastering the maze of finding solutions for families within Georgia’s public and private schools, helping the most difficult learners find success.

Over her five year tenure on the board at the Carl E. Sanders YMCA Board, Rachael helped leadership to navigate the pandemic, expand the offerings of the After School Enrichment program and later to expand the breadth of services to the community specifically serving individuals with disabilities and other at risk populations with the Ansley School partnership.  She is a graduate of the Leadership Cobb class of 2024. 

Rachael now spends her time at Effective Students leading a team of executive function coaches to better serve children, young adults, and families who are focused on success.

 

Ray James, Head of School of the Ansley School

Born and raised in Monroe, Louisiana, Ray is a critically conscious and outcomes-driven educational leader. Over nearly 15 years, Ray has held various roles in schools & communities in Baton Rouge, LA, Atlanta, GA, and Newark, NJ including substitute teacher, graduate assistant, literacy teacher, educational policy fellow, instructional coach, education community organizer, curriculum auditor, assistant principal, adjunct professor, and educational consultant. His undergraduate and master’s degrees are from LSU (Geaux Tigers!) and outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and their 2 young daughters and relishes victories for the Los Angeles Lakers, LSU Tigers, and the culture (politics, hip hop, etc.). Ray firmly believes in the limitless potential & power of all children and knows they will be the leaders of their revolution- now and later. As a second-year Head of School, Ray looks forward to being a good steward of all and continuing to co-create most optimal conditions that Ansley School students, families, staff, and community deserve, and so much more.