Fan Favorite: The Legacy of South Fulton Running Partners and the YMCA
(Y) Connect
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...
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YMCA’s New National Campaign: No Place Like This Place
(Y) Connect
The YMCA has launched a new national brand campaign titled No Place Like This Place. At its heart, the campaign captures something many of us instinctively know to be true: the Y is more than a building, a workout, or a program. It’s a place where connection happens, where people belong, and where lives are shaped in quiet and meaningful ways every single day. To help us tell the story behind the campaign, we’re joined by two leaders who play an important role in bringing it to life. James Reynolds, our Chief Marketing Officer, and Kristin McEwen, our Chief Experience Officer. Together,...
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What 2025 Taught Us at (Y) Connect
(Y) Connect
Before we jump into another year of Y Connect, we wanted to pause and look back. 2025 was a meaningful year for this podcast. We sat down with members, staff, partners, and community leaders who reminded us why the YMCA matters and how deeply it shows up in people’s lives. We heard stories of belonging, resilience, leadership, and impact that stayed with us long after the microphones were turned off. Today, we are reflecting on our favorite moments from this past year, the conversations that surprised us, what we learned about the YMCA that we didn’t fully understand before, and what...
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The Heart of Head Start: How the Y Supports Children & Families Every Day
(Y) Connect
The YMCA’s Head Start programs provide comprehensive support that transforms entire families, not just children. In this powerful episode of Y Connect, hosts Zarinah, Robert, and Allison speak with early childhood education leaders LaShaundra McDonald and Shamyra Thompson about the life-changing work happening at YMCA early learning centers. Both directors share their personal journeys from being Head Start parents to becoming passionate advocates for family support services. They discuss how comprehensive child development goes beyond academics to include mental health support, workforce...
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Shared International Purpose: The Y Welcomes Tushig from Mongolia
(Y) Connect
Today on Y Connect, we’re stepping into a global conversation. Over the past several weeks, our team has had the privilege of hosting Tushig Samdan, a nonprofit leader from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, who was in Atlanta through the U.S. Department of State’s Professional Fellows Program. Tushig has spent nearly a decade leading the Badraa Foundation to Justice, an organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for Mongolian university students. Joining Tushig for today’s conversation is our colleague Ryan Greenstein, the Y’s Advocacy Program Manager. Ryan first learned...
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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...
info_outlineIn 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:
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(02:16) Oliver shares his Y story and talks about what inspired him to give gifts to the Y staff
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(05:01) Juliet tells how she reacted when Oliver made his request
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(07:20) Oliver is overwhelmed by how the staff at the Y responded and is surprised by how hard the Y staff work
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(10:10) Juliet is proud of her son, and Oliver has more ideas of how he wants to be generous
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(14:43) Oliver and his mom, Juliet, share their Y story
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
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Oliver is a generous giving young man who gives back to those who have enriched his life.
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A seven-year-old boy can inspire an adult to be kind and generous.
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The staff at the Atlanta Y’s have a reputation for friendliness.
RESOURCE LINKS:
YMCA Atlanta Membership - Website
BIOGRAPHY:
After living in Naples, Florida and Chicago, Illinois, seven-year-old Oliver Amoaku and his mother, Juliet, moved to Johns Creek a year ago. Needing to keep up with his swim lessons, friends led them to the Ed Isakson Family Y in Alpharetta. Fortunately, the people at the front desk were so nice when they arrived they signed up with the Y immediately, saying it has been nothing but an amazing experience since. Oliver attends Ocee Elementary School and has two sisters and a brother. He loves basketball, bike riding, swimming and the YMCA.