Connections Podcast

The YMCA of Greater Rochester announced Wednesday that it is permanently closing its Carlson MetroCenter branch due to financial challenges. YMCA leaders say in the year prior to the pandemic shutdown, only 19 percent of Carlson members actively used the branch once a week or more. In a press release, leaders stated, "As an organization, we cannot continue to dedicate financial resources to sustain a building that has nearly 65,000-square-feet allocated to health and wellness with so few people

We continue our series of conversations about the recent report released by the RASE Commission. Co-chairs Bill Johnson and Muhammad Shafiq join us to focus on the economic recommendations in the report. They answer your questions as well. Our guests: Bill Johnson , co-chair of the RASE Commission, and former mayor Rochester Muhammad Shafiq , co-chair of the RASE Commission, executive director of the Brian and Jean Hickey Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue, and professor of Islamic and

We talk with candidates for Rochester City Council. Nearly 20 candidates have signed petitions to run for five open at-large seats. We aim to talk with all of them over the next several weeks. It's an opportunity to hear from the candidates about their platforms and priorities for office, and for listeners to ask them questions. Our guests: Luis Aponte Kim Smith Alex White

We welcome the chairs of the RASE Commission . The commission recently released its final report , detailing a variety of ways that Rochester and Monroe County can address racial any quality. Some of those ideas are economic, while others focus on policing and other areas. The commissioners are hoping that their report is the catalyst for change. Our guests: Bill Johnson , co-chair of the RASE Commission, and former mayor of Rochester Muhammad Shafiq , co-chair of the RASE Commission, executive

An upcoming education series is focusing on the injustice that is a cause and effect of climate change. “Climate of Change: 22 Days of Learning and Action for Intersectional Climate Justice in Rochester and Beyond” will address how environmental injustice harms the region. This hour, we preview the series and discuss the broader issues of climate justice with our guests: Daphany Rose Sanchez , executive director of Kinetic Communities Consulting Julio Jordan, director of diversity, equity, and

The superintendent of Brighton schools wrote an open letter, urging state leaders to greenlight the return of students to school five days a week. Kevin McGowan wrote that Governor Andrew Cuomo and state health leaders need to take action based on the new CDC guidance. McGowan wrote, "Your continued inaction smacks of detachment, complacency, or a lack of understanding regarding the impact of your failure to act. There does not seem to be any reason for your delay and in the absence of one, we

Imagine growing up thinking that you're an only child, only to discover that you have 30 siblings. That was the story for an entire family of brothers and sisters, four of whom went to high school together without knowing that they were related. They continue to discover new siblings, and they might never know how many there are. That's part of the reason they've moved into advocacy: they are the story of a donor-conceived family. Fourteen of the siblings were born in 1994 alone. But the law

Is Rochester ready to finalize a plan for reparations? Mayor Lovely Warren said on Friday that she wants to see reparations for Black residents and residents of color who have long suffered from the multi-generational impact of redlining and economic dispossession. How would this work? Last week, the RASE Commission released its own report and recommendations for action, but two members of the commission dissented, because they wanted to see a recommendation for reparations. We've invited them

When COVID-19 vaccines first became available, a local doctor noticed a gap in access when it came to people with disabilities. Dr. Tiffany Pulcino and her team work with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex medical conditions. They set up mobile vaccine clinics throughout Rochester for their patients. So far, they have helped more than 2,000 patients receive vaccines. This hour, we discuss the challenges the pandemic has presented for people with disabilities

Monroe County's Director of Development and Planning says Governor Andrew Cuomo made her feel demeaned and uncomfortable when she worked in Albany. Ana Liss has joined the growing group of women who say that the governor was a routine harasser, and created a culture of abuse and fear. She joins us to discuss her experience, and how she hopes these stories will change what we expect and tolerate in leaders at all levels. Our guests: Ana Liss , director of development and planning for Monroe