7 min
Pathway to the (Y) - Bella Rayfield, Tracy Prosper Fussell, Courtney Henneghan, Erika Swales (Y) Connect Podcast
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- Health & Fitness
This week on the Pathway to the (Y), we are joined by some of the amazing team of the Reach and Rise mentor program and a mentee. Today, you’ll hear from mentee, Bella Rayfield and her mother, Courtney Henneghan as well as Program Director, Erika Swales and Mentor, Tracy Fussell. Tune into this episode to hear their personal connections to the Y and the Reach and Rise mentorship program.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[0:56] Reach and Rise mentee, Bella, shares how her grandparents introduced her to the Y.
[1:30] Courtney, Bella’s mom, became involved with the Y through the Reach and Rise program.
[2:15] Tracy Prosper’s daughter recommended becoming a mentor for the Y’s Reach and Rise program. Tracy shares that the training process made her involvement in the program a ‘no brainer’.
[4:45] Erika began volunteering at the Y in Canada before relocating to Kennesaw, GA. In fact, she recently found her volunteer certificate that she proudly displays in her office. Everytime she relocates, she joins a Y and has been involved ever since.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The Y’s Reach and Rise program goes beyond attendance, it fosters relationships, community, and experiences.
Reach and Rise mentors go through a detailed training process to best support their mentees.
There are YMCA’s in many communities to get involved in.
RESOURCE LINKS:
Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta
Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta
Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta
Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta
YMCA Atlanta Membership - Website
BIOGRAPHIES:
Bella Rayfield, a Reach & Rise mentee, is 15 years old and a freshman in high school. Bella likes to listen to music and dance. She also plays sports and says she likes attending live events. At the Y she takes Zumba and sometimes helps with painting on the Y greeting wall and packs food. In her spare time, she attends events at school and her favorite moments in the Reach and Rise program so far have been going to a Braves game and attending Camp High Harbor.
Tracy Prosper Fussell, Reach & Rise mentor, is an Appeals & Grievance Nurse for a Fortune 500 corporation, transitioning from a background in Pediatric Nursing. As a first-generation Haitian-American, born in New York and raised in Florida, Tracy brings a rich cultural perspective to her work and life. A devoted mother of three, plus a bonus son, Tracy also serves as a Life Coach and Mentor, empowering others to discover their potential.
The parent of Bella, Courtney Henneghan, has a degree in public administration and currently works for the state of Georgia as a project consultant, though she previously worked with youth in foster care and special education. She enjoys reading, painting, and dyeing Bella's hair wild colors.
Erika Swales is the Y’s Reach & Rise Mentorship Program Director. With a Bachelor's degree in French and Italian and a Master’s Degree in European culture, Erika was born and raised in England. Early on, she joined the Y as a member, where she participated in fitness classes and volunteered. In 2013, she began working part-time at the Northwest Cobb Family Y in the children’s play center and was later promoted full-time as the Family Programs Coordinator. In 2019, she became the Y’s Youth Development Director and in 2022, she transitioned into the role of Reach & Rise Mentorship Program Director.
This week on the Pathway to the (Y), we are joined by some of the amazing team of the Reach and Rise mentor program and a mentee. Today, you’ll hear from mentee, Bella Rayfield and her mother, Courtney Henneghan as well as Program Director, Erika Swales and Mentor, Tracy Fussell. Tune into this episode to hear their personal connections to the Y and the Reach and Rise mentorship program.
IN THIS EPISODE:
[0:56] Reach and Rise mentee, Bella, shares how her grandparents introduced her to the Y.
[1:30] Courtney, Bella’s mom, became involved with the Y through the Reach and Rise program.
[2:15] Tracy Prosper’s daughter recommended becoming a mentor for the Y’s Reach and Rise program. Tracy shares that the training process made her involvement in the program a ‘no brainer’.
[4:45] Erika began volunteering at the Y in Canada before relocating to Kennesaw, GA. In fact, she recently found her volunteer certificate that she proudly displays in her office. Everytime she relocates, she joins a Y and has been involved ever since.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The Y’s Reach and Rise program goes beyond attendance, it fosters relationships, community, and experiences.
Reach and Rise mentors go through a detailed training process to best support their mentees.
There are YMCA’s in many communities to get involved in.
RESOURCE LINKS:
Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta
Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta
Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta
Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta
YMCA Atlanta Membership - Website
BIOGRAPHIES:
Bella Rayfield, a Reach & Rise mentee, is 15 years old and a freshman in high school. Bella likes to listen to music and dance. She also plays sports and says she likes attending live events. At the Y she takes Zumba and sometimes helps with painting on the Y greeting wall and packs food. In her spare time, she attends events at school and her favorite moments in the Reach and Rise program so far have been going to a Braves game and attending Camp High Harbor.
Tracy Prosper Fussell, Reach & Rise mentor, is an Appeals & Grievance Nurse for a Fortune 500 corporation, transitioning from a background in Pediatric Nursing. As a first-generation Haitian-American, born in New York and raised in Florida, Tracy brings a rich cultural perspective to her work and life. A devoted mother of three, plus a bonus son, Tracy also serves as a Life Coach and Mentor, empowering others to discover their potential.
The parent of Bella, Courtney Henneghan, has a degree in public administration and currently works for the state of Georgia as a project consultant, though she previously worked with youth in foster care and special education. She enjoys reading, painting, and dyeing Bella's hair wild colors.
Erika Swales is the Y’s Reach & Rise Mentorship Program Director. With a Bachelor's degree in French and Italian and a Master’s Degree in European culture, Erika was born and raised in England. Early on, she joined the Y as a member, where she participated in fitness classes and volunteered. In 2013, she began working part-time at the Northwest Cobb Family Y in the children’s play center and was later promoted full-time as the Family Programs Coordinator. In 2019, she became the Y’s Youth Development Director and in 2022, she transitioned into the role of Reach & Rise Mentorship Program Director.
7 min