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(Y) Connect

(Y) Connect

Auteur(s): Allison Toller Zarinah Winston & Robert Wright
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 Welcome to The (Y) Connect Podcast. As the heartbeat of the community, the Y is a connector where people of all ages and walks of life come together to elevate their health, wellness, education, and essential life skills. Join hosts Allison, Zarinah and Robert as they have authentic conversations with individuals sharing personal connections and stories of what connects them to the Y. For 164 years, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta has built programs that foster community, address critical needs, and empower individuals to achieve their full potential. This work is only possible with our Y community. Together we champion communities where everyone belongs and would love for you to be part of it. Let's keep the conversation going about what the Y means to you and where you can find one near you. Please visit us at ymca atlanta dot org and subscribe to our Healthy Together newsletter. Biography: Robert Wright has 20 years of experience encouraging and motivating individuals in the human and social service industry, ranging from children to adults with mental health and substance abuse diagnoses as well as developmental disabilities. He utilized his experience of assisting others and has transferred his energy and focus to fitness and wellness. He is motivated to merge both arenas and give individuals with diagnoses and disabilities another avenue other than the traditional clinical and medicinal approach. Zarinah Winston began working for the Metro Atlanta YMCA in 1999. Zarinah has served the YMCA in multiple roles for the past 23 years. Currently, she serves as a Center Director of an Early Learning Center. Her role consists of supervising and leading staff, implementing program plans, overseeing daily activities, and managing the Center budget. Prior to becoming a Center Director for the Y, her YMCA experiences consisted of being a Summer Camp Counselor, After School Site Director, Assistant Teacher, Lead Teacher and Lead Instructional Support Coach. The YMCA honored Zarinah with the “Outstanding Performance Award” for the Covington YMCA. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies (Education) and a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction with a minor in Early Childhood Education. By pursuing lifelong learning, she intends to be an example for the amazing team that she leads at her school. Zarinah is proud to be a mother of 3 wonderful children, Zamaria, Zachary, and Zavier. Her oldest daughter Zamaria and her middle son Zachary entered YMCA Early Learning at the tender age of 6 weeks. The YMCA exposed the children to a safe and caring learning environment, friendships, rich language & literacy skills, strong communication skills, and so much more. Zarinah’s family is her heart and inspiration for striving to be the best version of herself. The core values of the YMCA (Honesty, Caring, Respect, Responsibility) are characteristics that she strives to always live by. Zarinah enjoys owning her own candle business, journaling, traveling, exercising, listening to music and spending time with family and friends. Zarinah is influenced and mentored by her uncle who is the CEO/President of a YMCA.  Zarinah believes in enjoying life by being of service to others. She lives by the quote, “Feel the present, hold the vision, let go of resistance, enjoy the journey, trust the process and know that all is well.” Fredrick Talloen Allison Allison Toller is the Chief Social Impact Officer for the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. Charged with cultivating and stewarding the Y’s strategic corporate, civic, and community partnerships, she and the Social Impact team also drive the Association’s strategic plan, embedding it into the fabric of the organization. Additionally, she oversees the Y’s volunteerism and advocacy initiatives. Prior to coming to the Y, Allison was a corporate social responsibility leader with Cox Communications'. With a dual background in broadcasting and education, Allison was Chief of Staff and Communications Director for two of the largest school districts in Georgia. Through these experiences, she has a deep knowledge of the education system having led several high-profile campaigns on a variety of issues including taxes, teacher shortages, school zoning, and crisis situations. Developing strong relationships among local, state and national media, Allison was a registered lobbyist working within the Georgia state legislature to fully fund schools throughout the state. She built an innovative and award-winning brand widely recognized among independent schools. As Chief of External Affairs for Mount Vernon, she amplified marketing efforts to increase year-on-year enrollment. Early in her career Allison was a television news broadcaster; live television was the perfect training ground where she learned the art of storytelling. For several years she shared these skills on a national level, conducting leadership training sessions in the corporate, civic...2024 Hygiène et mode de vie sain
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  • From YMCA to Team USA: Kari Knotts’ Volleyball Journey

    From YMCA to Team USA: Kari Knotts’ Volleyball Journey
    Sep 17 2025

    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 MVP on the international stage, Kari Knotts joins us to share her inspiring volleyball journey.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • (00:00) Intro: Allsion and Robert welcome today’s guest
    • (02:21) Kari shares her first memories of playing volleyball at the YMCA and becoming the youngest member of Team USA U19
    • (04:19) The moment Kari was selected for Team USA and the demanding schedule required to balance her commitments
    • (06:34) Finding motivation through faith, family support, and joy for the sport
    • (07:22) Lessons from volleyball: discipline, teamwork, and communication
    • (08:17) Staying grounded in humility by being thankful to God for his blessing
    • (08:48) Kari shares future goals: the Olympics, pursuing college and maintaining a passion for sports
    • (10:50) Kari expresses gratitude to teammates and coaches, and she advises children interested in volleyball

    KEY TAKEAWAYS:

    • Starting at the YMCA, Kari built strong fundamentals in volleyball and showed how community support can spark lifelong inspiration.
    • Balancing training, high school, and national competition requires discipline, motivation, and support from family, teammates and coaches.
    • Staying grounded in humility while chasing big future goals—including dreams of the Olympics—keeps this young athlete focused and grateful.

    RESOURCE LINKS:

    Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    LinkedIn: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    BIOGRAPHY:

    Kari Knotts is a 14-year-old standout athlete and proud member of the Northeast Cobb Family YMCA. A freshman at The Lovett School (Class of 2029), Kari has already built an impressive volleyball résumé. Standing 6’3” with a 10’9” approach, she competes with A5 Volleyball Club on the elite 16-1 Gabe’s team as an outside hitter.

    Kari recently made history as the youngest member of the U19 USA National Volleyball Team, earning both MVP and Best Spiker honors at the 2025 U19 Pan-American Cup in Canada. She is also part of the National Training and Development Program, designed to prepare high-potential athletes for international competition.

    Her teams have captured multiple national titles—including two USAV National Championships, three AAU National Championships, and two Triple Crown titles—with Kari securing MVP honors at 12U, 13U, and 14U. Despite her many accomplishments, she remains grounded, crediting her YMCA beginnings for shaping her love of the game and community.
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    13 min
  • Fan Favorite: Facing Forsyth County's Past & Honoring Its Descendants

    Fan Favorite: Facing Forsyth County's Past & Honoring Its Descendants
    Sep 3 2025

    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 Forsyth County and shared his inspiring journey during the recent Juneteenth celebration hosted by the Forsyth County Family YMCA. This was the second year the Y’s Caroline Del Carmen organized this community-wide event and she rounds out the conversation as well.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • (02:03) Zarinah introduces the subject of today's podcast

    • (03:23) Listen to a clip of Joshua speaking at an event, explaining why he decided to move back to Forsyth County

    • (08:33) Joshua shares the Strickland Family’s ancestry

    • (15:33) Caroline describes her part in organizing the Juneteenth event in Forsyth County

    • (20:23) Durwood discusses how he worked hard to alleviate fear around the event, and Joshua talks about how he was excited about the expression of love

    • (23:49) Durwood explains the Forsyth Descendants Scholarship and how he learned about the events of 1912

    • (29:34) Joshua discusses what the scholarship program means to him and his family. Durwood comments on how the program is making a change and how the media and politicians spin race issues

    • (38:33) Caroline shares what plans they have for the future

    • (41:52) The guests share their Pathway to the Y

    KEY TAKEAWAYS:

    • In 1912, black families were evicted from Forsyth County.

    • In 1987, Forsyth County, Georgia, was known as the most racist county in America. The goal is to make it known as the country known for love.

    • The answer to this crisis is to acknowledge it happened, shine a light on it, and ensure it never happens again.

    RESOURCE LINKS:

    Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    BIOGRAPHY:

    Josh Byrd is deeply committed to positively impacting and creating environments that foster love, kindness, and positivity. His work aims to uplift and empower individuals, helping them reach their full potential in both personal and professional aspects of life. As a seasoned business owner, wellness professional and operator of a thriving barbershop for over seven years, he has dedicated his career to fostering community, nurturing growth, and promoting holistic well-being. His diverse background in youth mentorship, coaching, and community activities has shaped his approach to creating inclusive, supportive spaces that serve personal and community needs.

    Durwood Snead is the co-founder and a leader of the Forsyth Descendants Scholarship, a college scholarship for descendants of African Americans violently expelled from the county in 1912. Durwood is a retired pastor from North Point Ministries, where he directed North Point’s global(x) international ministry for almost eighteen years. Before transitioning to vocational ministry, Durwood spent 26 years in business, holding executive positions at CMD Group, AC Nielsen, and Duracell. He also serves on three other non-profit boards. Durwood and his wife Judi have lived in Forsyth County, Georgia, for 35 years, and they make regular visits to see their five children and sixteen grandchildren.

    Caroline del Carmen started working with the Y in Montgomery, Alabama in 2006. Her journey began as a volunteer swim coach when her three children joined the Y’s swim team. Since then, she has worked as a Senior Director in aquatics, sports, and wellness. She is currently the Aquatics Director of the Forsyth County Family YMCA and for the past two years has led the planning and execution of Forsyth County’s Juneteenth Celebration.
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    49 min
  • Tribute to AmeriCorps at the Y

    Tribute to AmeriCorps at the Y
    Aug 20 2025
    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. 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: (00:00) Intro: Meet Stacia and Mark (04:25) Stacia discusses joining AmeriCorps, discovering public health as a career path, and serving at the South DeKalb YMCA (13:33) Mark recounts starting with AmeriCorps, transitioning from a college student to a service role (19:43) The inception of the community garden and food pantry at South DeKalb YMCA (22:48) Partnering with Atlanta and Midwest Food Banks to establish the food pantry (26:13) Discussion of nutrition workshops, mental health and public health promoting health equity (29:20) How the Y prepared Mark for all the career opportunities he has had (34:35) AmeriCorps provides public health experience and boosts career through service (49:01) Funding challenges are threatening AmeriCorps and making programs self-funding KEY TAKEAWAYS: 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. 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. 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: Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta LinkedIn: YMCA Metro Atlanta Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta AMERICORPS — Hands On Atlanta 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
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    1 h et 1 min
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