Creating Space for Teens to Belong — A Conversation with Leah Willig
(Y) Connect
Today on Y Connect, we’re joined by Leah Willig, the Y’s Director of Teen Programs. Leah brings over a decade of youth development experience, having spent years leading impactful programming at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta before joining the Y. Her work has always focused on creating spaces where teens can explore who they are, connect, and envision what’s possible in their futures. At the Y, Leah is leading efforts to expand and elevate teen programming across our association from monthly Teen Nights that bring youth together in fun, safe environments to academic and...
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Fueling the Y’s Impact: When Companies Listen to What Communities Need
(Y) Connect
Today on Y Connect, we’re joined by a powerhouse leader whose commitment to purpose and community is shaping what corporate social responsibility looks like in Metro Atlanta and beyond, Carley Stephens, Director of Corporate Giving at Gas South and Executive Director of the Cobb EMC Foundation. Gas South, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cobb EMC, is one of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta’s most generous corporate partners, giving not only through financial support but also through the countless volunteer hours employees dedicate to helping others. Carley is known for leading with heart and...
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Fan Favorite: Building Community through Fitness at the Y
(Y) Connect
When people join the YMCA, they have access to more than 3,000 group fitness classes. The Y offers everything from cycling to dance to yoga, flexibility, strength and more, all of which impact a person’s overall physical, mental and emotional health. As our guests explain, perhaps one of the best parts of these classes is the close-knit community that is formed as a result. IN THIS EPISODE: 02:13 Jennifer describes what goes on in determining the variety of classes offered at the Y and how a participant determines which class they should take depending on their fitness level 04:23 Maura...
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Beyond Weight Loss: Jim’s Transformation Through Coaching & Community
(Y) Connect
We have two inspiring guests today. Jim Snoddy, a member of the Robert D. Fowler Family Y, who has lost nearly 100 pounds through the YMCA’s supportive wellness programs, and Beth Girmay, the health & wellness instructor who has guided Jim every step of the way. Jim also serves on the Branch Community Engagement Board, which, as I understand it, plays pickleball almost every day. Today, we’re discussing transformation, body, mind, habits and the role of coaching, community, consistency, and mindset. We’ll delve into how the YMCA’s Coach Approach & Weight Loss For Life programs...
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Ep. 71 From YMCA to Team USA: Kari Knotts’ Volleyball Journey
(Y) Connect
On today’s episode of (Y) Connect, we’re joined by someone who’s already making waves on the national stage while still just beginning her high school journey. At only 14 years old, Kari Knotts has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in U.S. volleyball. Kari is a freshman at The Lovett School, a proud member of the Northeast Cobb Family YMCA, and a fierce competitor for A5 Volleyball Club. She recently became the youngest member of the U19 USA National Volleyball Team, where she was named both MVP and Best Spiker at the Pan-American Cup. From her start at the YMCA to winning...
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Fan Favorite: Facing Forsyth County's Past & Honoring Its Descendants
(Y) Connect
In this Fan Favorite Episode, we delve into a story of resilience, reconciliation, and community spirit. Forsyth County, with its complex history, is making strides towards healing and inclusivity. Joining us on (Y) Connect is Durwood Sneed, an organizer of the Forsyth Descendants Scholarship, a pivotal initiative aimed at honoring and supporting the descendants of those who were unjustly expelled from the county, a racial cleansing campaign that took place in 1912 forcing Black residents out of the county. Additionally, we are joined by Joshua Byrd, a descendant who bravely returned to...
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Ep. 70 Tribute to AmeriCorps at the Y
(Y) Connect
Welcome to Y Connect, where we spotlight the people and programs shaping impact across the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. In this episode, we’re honored to feature two leaders whose journeys through AmeriCorps have left a lasting imprint on our communities. Stacia Herbert, AmeriCorps Health and Wellness Advocate at the South DeKalb YMCA, has led transformative initiatives—from launching a community garden and food pantry to hosting nutrition workshops and building partnerships that support young mothers. Her work has been so impactful that the YMCA of the USA plans to feature her story nationally....
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Ep. 69 Dr. Lori Duckett on Inclusion & Impact at the Y
(Y) Connect
Today on (Y) Connect, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Lori Duckett—physician, advocate, and proud member of the Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA. Dr. Duckett is a passionate supporter of inclusive sports and has been instrumental in introducing Special Olympics programming to the Y. Her leadership is helping to ensure that athletes of all abilities feel seen, supported, and celebrated. In today’s episode, we’ll hear how Dr. Duckett’s medical background, personal experiences, and unwavering belief in equity have shaped her journey—and how the Y community is growing stronger and...
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Ep. 68 Feedback Fuels the Y’s Summer Camp Experience
(Y) Connect
At the Y, summer is our Super Bowl—a season of high energy, big moments, and unforgettable memories for thousands of kids in our summer day camps. Today, we’re joined by two incredible youth development leaders: Ashley Baker from the Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA and Aminata Lawton-Edwards from the Decatur Family YMCA. They’re not only shaping amazing camp experiences—they’re also listening closely to what families are telling us through surveys and using that feedback to make camp even better. We’ll talk about what makes Y day camp special, what we’re learning from families, and how...
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Ep. 67 Fan Favorite: A 7-Year-Old and His Y Heroes
(Y) Connect
In this fan favorite episode of the Y Connect podcast, you’ll meet Oliver and his mom, Juliet. Oliver is a remarkable seven-year-old young man and Y member with a heart as big as the state of Georgia. We invite you to hear his story of extraordinary gratitude. It’s a story that will inspire you and remind you what it means to be a superhero. IN THIS EPISODE: (02:16) Oliver shares his Y story and talks about what inspired him to give gifts to the Y staff (05:01) Juliet tells how she reacted when Oliver made his request (07:20) Oliver is overwhelmed by how the staff at the Y...
info_outlinePlease note that this episode contains mentions of fatal drownings. Listen with care.
Today, we’re diving into one of the most vital—and lifesaving—initiatives at the Y: water safety. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children, and the Y is on a mission to change that. Joining us today are three passionate changemakers who are helping the Y turn the tide on drowning prevention: Megan Benvenuto, Group Vice President and Executive Director of the Northwest Cobb Family YMCA who oversees the YMCA’s association-wide aquatics program; Shannon Atty, Aquatics Director at the Northwest Family YMCA; and Ryan Greenstein, the Y’s Advocacy Program Manager and lead for the Atlanta Water Safety Coalition. Together, we’ll explore how the Y is teaching thousands of children to be safe around water—especially in under-resourced communities—and how partnerships, policy, and passion are driving this work forward.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- (00:00) Intro: Catch up with Zarinah, Robert, and Allison
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(02:48) Today’s focus: water safety to prevent drownings
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(03:54) What sparked the guests’ interest in water safety and drowning prevention
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(09:08) Metro Atlanta faces challenges due to rising drowning rates, and Megan details the plan to teach 10,000 children to swim safely in 2025
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(15:14) The focus of the Atlanta Water Safety Coalition
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(21:16) Shannon recounts a story illustrating the program’s transformative effect
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(23:05) Engaging policymakers to secure funding and support initiatives
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(30:02) The importance of dedicated watchers, accessible safety skills, and online resources for drowning prevention
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
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Drowning prevention is critical and is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children, particularly ages 1-4, with rising rates in Georgia, emphasizing the need for water safety initiatives.
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The YMCA, through the Atlanta Water Safety Coalition, collaborates with community partners, secures grants, and advocates for policy changes, such as offering lifeguard training as physical education (PE) credit. Additionally, the organization provides scholarships to deliver swim lessons to under-resourced youth.
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Having a designated watcher and teaching accessible, memorable water safety skills (e.g., life jacket use, "reach and throw, don’t go") are crucial to preventing drownings.
RESOURCE LINKS:
BIOGRAPHIES:
Megan Benvenuto, Group VP & Executive Director at Northwest Family YMCA, leads Metro Atlanta YMCA efforts to promote equity. As Aquatics Cabinet Lead, she oversees 16 locations and 23 pools, expanding Safety Around Water to deliver thousands of swim lessons yearly to underserved kids. With 25 years at the YMCA, she doubled giving at Twin Rivers YMCA, boosted membership via Pound Plunge at YMCA Cape Cod, and restored pre-pandemic levels at Northwest Family Y. She earned an MBA from Springfield College (4.0 GPA) and YMCA Organizational Leader certification. A Leadership Cobb 2023 member, she also served on the United Way board.
Shannon Atty, with a Physical Education degree from SUNY Cortland, taught for 13 years before focusing on aquatics at Greenbush Area YMCA as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and coach. Relocating to Georgia in 2013, she worked in aquatics with Georgia Parks and Recreation in Smyrna and Cartersville. She is now a certified instructor in Lifeguarding and Water Safety by the YMCA and the American Red Cross.
Ryan Greenstein has served as Advocacy Program Manager at the YMCA of Metro Atlanta since January 2025. He focuses on water safety and manages the Atlanta Water Safety Coalition, which the Y co-founded in 2023. Ryan joined the Y from The Carter Center and previously lobbied for various nonprofits in Washington, DC.