Episode from the podcast(Y) Connect Podcast

Ep. 67 Fan Favorite: A 7-Year-Old and His Y Heroes

Released Wednesday, 9th July 2025

Good episode? Give it some love!

Ep. 67 Fan Favorite: A 7-Year-Old and His Y Heroes

Wednesday, 9th July 2025

Good episode? Give it some love!

Rate Episode

List

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 responded and is surprised by how hard the Y staff work
(10:10) Juliet is proud of her son, and Oliver has more ideas of how he wants to be generous
(14:43) Oliver and his mom, Juliet, share their Y story

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Oliver is a generous giving young man who gives back to those who have enriched his life.
A seven-year-old boy can inspire an adult to be kind and generous.
The staff at the Atlanta Y’s have a reputation for friendliness.

RESOURCE LINKS:

Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

YMCA Atlanta Membership - Website

YMCA Sizzle Reel - YouTube

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.

Rate

List

Get this podcast via API

From The Podcast

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 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 settings. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Florida State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Georgia College & State University. Allison is a graduate of both Leadership Cobb and Leadership Sandy Springs; she is a recipient of the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award and was named to the Top 20 Under 40 list by the Marietta Daily Journal. A lover of hiking, traveling, running the trails along the Chattahoochee, Allison lives in Sandy Springs with her husband Rick, and they have two children. Nina attends Georgia Tech and Jackson is a senior in high school. Both children spent their summers growing up at YMCA Camp High Harbour at Lake Allatoona. Social MediaYconnectpodcast.com https://www.ymcaatlanta.org/

Join Podchaser to...

Rate podcasts and episodes
Follow podcasts and creators
Create podcast and episode lists
& much more

Do you host or manage this podcast?
Claim and edit this page to your liking.

Podchaser is the ultimate destination for podcast data, search, and discovery. Learn More