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(Y) Connect

(Y) Connect

By: Allison Toller Zarinah Winston & Robert Wright
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Summary

 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, and university...2024 Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Turning Retirement into a Mission: Expanding Access to Camp

    Turning Retirement into a Mission: Expanding Access to Camp
    May 6 2026

    Today, we're joined by Darrell Edquist, a member of the Community Engagement Board at the Isakson/Alpharetta Family YMCA, who has turned his retirement into something incredibly meaningful. Darrell set a personal goal to help 4,000 children—kids who might not otherwise have the opportunity—experience summer camp at the Y. And he didn't just set the goal—he got to work. As of last week, he's already raised enough support to send 74 kids to camp this summer.

    It's a powerful reminder of what's possible when someone decides to use their time, their relationships, and their energy to make a difference.

    What You'll Learn in This Episode:

    ✅ How retirement purpose and honest self-reflection can lead to transformational community impact through youth summer camp fundraising

    ✅ Why a simple, consistent direct mail fundraising strategy built around personal relationships can outperform digital outreach and drive real charitable giving

    ✅ How sending underprivileged children to YMCA summer camp plants seeds of friendship, hope, and dreams that can ripple across generations

    ✅ How volunteer leadership rooted in giving without expectation of personal benefit can inspire others to discover their own joy of helping others

    Join the Y Connect Podcast to discover inspiring stories of transformation and wellness. Tune in for practical tips and community-driven insights on fitness transformation. Subscribe now to elevate your fitness journey!

    TIMESTAMPS:

    00:00 Darrell Edquist and his bold youth summer camp fundraising goal of sending 4,000 kids to camp

    02:56 Darrell reflects on retirement purpose and discovering his greatest personal failure

    08:52 What Darrell realized in attempting this goal to help others

    14:03 The emotional story of a single mother and son that fuels Darrell's summer camp scholarship mission

    19:05 The three-step direct mail fundraising strategy for reaching the goal of helping underprivileged children

    24:39 How to donate and send a child to YMCA summer camp

    KEY TAKEAWAYS:

    💎 The fundraising strategy proves that direct mail built on trust and personal relationships still cuts through the noise when digital outreach falls short.

    💎 A child can go to summer camp for $250 per week, and a special-needs summer camp experience, at just $350, provides additional counselor support and individualized attention that can profoundly shape a child's future.

    💎 When individuals model community volunteerism and giving back without personal benefit, they inspire an entire network to discover meaning and purpose through charitable giving.

    ABOUT THE GUEST:

    Darrell Edquist is a member of the Community Engagement Board at the Isakson/Alpharetta Family YMCA and a passionate advocate for expanding access to YMCA summer camp for children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend. After a 45-year career in sales and business, including more than 35 years in leadership roles overseeing teams and managing $50–$150 million in annual revenue, Darrell has, in retirement, turned his focus toward community impact. He's set an ambitious personal goal: to help 4,000 under-resourced children attend YMCA summer camp.

    What started as a personal commitment has quickly become a growing movement. As of April 3rd, Darrell has already raised enough support to send 74 children to camp—opening the door for life-changing experiences, connection, and belonging.

    Darrell Edquist - Email

    RESOURCES MENTIONED:

    Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    LinkedIn: YMCA Metro Atlanta
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    26 mins
  • Fan Favorite: Dr. Lori Duckett on Inclusion & Impact at the Y

    Fan Favorite: Dr. Lori Duckett on Inclusion & Impact at the Y
    Apr 22 2026

    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 more inclusive because of it.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • 00:00 Intro: Meet Dr. Lori Duckett
    • 02:35 Dr. Duckett's Y origin story
    • 05:45 Special Olympics enhances accessibility and engagement and promotes equity and access to sports
    • 09:28 Sports can combat obesity, support health, wellness, and socialization for athletes with special needs
    • 11:41 Reflection on Special Olympics fostering community growth,
    • 17:45 Dr. Duckett explains what inclusion means to her
    • 20:42 Georgia Tech provides Resources and Education for Athletes with Down Syndrome

    KEY TAKEAWAYS:

    • The advocacy for Special Olympics at the Andrew and Walter Young YMCA creates a supportive community where athletes of all abilities feel valued and included, enhancing engagement and socialization.

    • Collaborations with organizations like Georgia Tech and Kaiser improve accessibility to sports and education, offering resources and opportunities for athletes with Down Syndrome and their families.

    • Integrating Special Olympics into YMCA programs promotes health, wellness, and equity, empowering athletes and encouraging volunteer involvement for a more inclusive community.

    RESOURCE LINKS:

    Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    LinkedIn: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Dr. Lori Duckett - LinkedIn

    BIOGRAPHY:

    Lori Duckett is a dedicated pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente and a lifelong advocate for children with Down syndrome and pediatric obesity. Inspired by her journey as both a mother and sister to loved ones with Down syndrome, she brings a deep sense of empathy and commitment to her work.

    With 12 years of clinical experience, she blends medical expertise with heartfelt advocacy to support children with developmental differences and those facing weight-related health challenges. Her work centers on inclusive, evidence-based care that empowers families and addresses the unique needs of underserved communities.

    Dr. Duckett has a long-standing history of volunteering with the Special Olympics and is a passionate supporter of efforts that promote inclusion, empowerment, and health equity. She is actively involved in outreach, education, and collaboration with local and national Down syndrome organizations.

    Currently, she is developing virtual pediatric obesity counseling programs and is available for presentations, podcasts, and conference panels focused on Down syndrome, childhood obesity, and equitable care models in pediatrics.
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    25 mins
  • Y Member Trinity Smith Helps Teen Girls Thrive

    Y Member Trinity Smith Helps Teen Girls Thrive
    Apr 8 2026
    Today, we're joined by Trinity Smith, a high school senior and member of the East Lake Family YMCA who is already making an incredible impact in her community. Through her nonprofit Roots In Her Health, Trinity leads weekly wellness sessions for middle school girls at the Y, creating a space where they can slow down, talk openly, learn about their health and well-being, and build confidence in who they are. Her work was inspired by her own experience growing up with a chronic illness and learning how important it is for young people to understand their bodies and advocate for themselves—especially when their experiences aren't always fully understood or supported. Recently, Trinity shared a mission moment at one of our YMCA board meetings, and our board members were truly moved by her insight, compassion, and the leadership she's already showing at such a young age. CBS Atlanta also recently highlighted the incredible work she's doing at just 18. Her story is a reminder of what's possible when young people are supported, encouraged, and trusted to lead. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How teen girls' health and wellness programming at the YMCA creates safe spaces where middle school girls can build confidence-building skills and openly discuss what they are experiencing in their lives. ✅ How one young nonprofit founder turned her personal journey with chronic illness advocacy and chronic migraine awareness into a thriving youth nonprofit that is making a measurable community impact. ✅ How youth health education rooted in holistic wellness helps girls of color's health by addressing stress, self-care, journaling, and peer connection in ways that feel engaging rather than academic. ✅ Why health equity for Black girls' health matters in medicine and research, and how young leaders are stepping up to close those gaps before they ever enter a classroom or clinic. Join the Y Connect Podcast to discover inspiring stories of transformation and wellness. Tune in for practical tips and community-driven insights on fitness transformation. Subscribe now to elevate your fitness journey! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Meet Trinity Smith, teen girls' wellness leader and nonprofit founder03:53 Trinity shares how she connected to the YMCA as a youth programming employee before launching Roots In Her Health05:55 Trinity reveals her diagnosis and how chronic illness advocacy shaped her mission08:35 How the lack of school support sparked Trinity's drive for girls' empowerment and self-care for teens17:40 A look inside the weekly wellness sessions Trinity leads for girls of color health at the East Lake YMCA 22:50 Trinity's college goals focus on pediatric health, Black girls' health, and closing gaps in health equity research26:43 A memorable conversation with a participant reveals the ripple effect of youth health education and planting seeds of leadership34:28 Trinity reflects on what holistic wellness and community impact through the Y has meant for Roots In Her Health's growth KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 Teen girls' health and wellness is not only physical. Trinity reminds us that stress, peer pressure, and identity all affect a young girl's overall well-being, making holistic wellness programming essential in community spaces like the YMCA. 💎 Chronic illness advocacy starts with being believed. Trinity had to fight to have her chronic migraine awareness taken seriously in school, and that experience became the foundation for everything she built through her youth nonprofit. 💎 Girls of color's health is a systemic issue. Trinity plans to pursue clinical research focused on health equity for Black women and young girls because representation in medicine is not optional. It is necessary. 💎 Leadership in youth programming does not require having all the answers. Trinity models that show up consistently, listening well, and equipping middle school girls with tools are how real change takes root. ABOUT THE GUEST: Trinity Smith is a high school senior, scholar, and advocate who is passionate about helping young girls understand their health and wellness. Growing up with a chronic illness made school really challenging at times and taught me how important it is to advocate for yourself—experiences that inspired me to start Roots In Her Health, Inc. Trinity is really interested in women's health and equity, and she hopes to become a pediatrician one day so she can help kids and families navigate health challenges. Her family has always been her biggest support, and they've shaped so much of who she is today. When Trinity isn't leading wellness sessions at the YMCA, she focuses on the things that help her feel grounded and whole—painting, cooking, traveling, or just trying something new that challenges me. She enjoys being creative in all kinds of ways and paying attention to what makes her feel balanced and alive. Those moments are what really recharge Trinity and keep her inspired. Roots In Her Health ...
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    40 mins
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