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_outlineWelcome 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.
Joining her is Mark Henderson, Branch Manager for the South DeKalb YMCA. Mark is a proud AmeriCorps alum whose career has spanned public service roles with the City of Atlanta and the late Congressman John Lewis. Mark’s journey began at the Y and continues to inspire the next generation of changemakers.
As we reflect on the power of service, we also acknowledge the challenges—like the recent loss of federal funding that supported Stacia’s role. This conversation is a timely reminder of why programs like AmeriCorps matter and what’s at stake when they’re at risk.
IN THIS EPISODE:
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(00:00) Intro: Meet Stacia and Mark
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(04:25) Stacia discusses joining AmeriCorps, discovering public health as a career path, and serving at the South DeKalb YMCA
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(13:33) Mark recounts starting with AmeriCorps, transitioning from a college student to a service role
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(19:43) The inception of the community garden and food pantry at South DeKalb YMCA
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(22:48) Partnering with Atlanta and Midwest Food Banks to establish the food pantry
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(26:13) Discussion of nutrition workshops, mental health and public health promoting health equity
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(29:20) How the Y prepared Mark for all the career opportunities he has had
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(34:35) AmeriCorps provides public health experience and boosts career through service
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(49:01) Funding challenges are threatening AmeriCorps and making programs self-funding
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
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AmeriCorps and the YMCA drive community support through initiatives like the South DeKalb community garden and food pantry, fostering health equity and social connections via partnerships with organizations like Helping Mamas.
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Volunteerism and leadership in AmeriCorps provide critical capacity building, offering firsthand public health experience and networking opportunities for career transitions, as exemplified by Stacey Herbert’s work in nutrition workshops.
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Despite funding challenges, civic engagement through service at the YMCA sustains impactful programs, ensuring long-term mental health and community support initiatives continue to benefit low-income communities.
RESOURCE LINKS:
National Service in Georgia | AmeriCorps
BIOGRAPHY:
Stacia Herbert, originally from Guyana, is a public health professional with nearly two decades of experience in education. She now focuses on nutrition, family and community health, and chronic disease prevention, serving marginalized communities through her work with the YMCA and the NACDD Public Health AmeriCorps program in South DeKalb. Stacia holds a Master of Public Health from Georgia Southern University, a Master of Science in Child, Youth, and Family Studies, and a Bachelor of Education. An AHEC scholar and certified Mental Health First Aider, she is also a wife, mother of two, and lover of cooking, decorating, and reading.
Mark Henderson, a Morehouse College graduate, has over 25 years of experience in community service, voter engagement, and political campaigns. He began his career with AmeriCorps and the Metro Atlanta YMCA, later contributing to Atlanta’s HOPE VI housing project. He has received two Congressional awards from John Lewis and was named Georgia’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 1996. Today, he serves as Executive Director of the Voter Empowerment Collaborative (VEC).
Keywords: AmeriCorps, YMCA, Community Garden, Food Pantry, Nutrition Workshops, Public Health, South DeKalb, South DeKalb YMCA, Service, Partnerships, Health Equity, Volunteerism, Social Connections, Capacity Building, Leadership, Funding Challenges, Community Support, Mental Health, Helping Mamas, Career Transition, Civic Engagement, Atlanta Food Bank, Midwest Food Bank, impact, Metro Atlanta, health equity, Helping Mamas