Youth Council Raises $200K to Fund Mental Health Programming

Over 275 people came out for the Rye Youth Council (RYC)’s spring benefit, the Help Helps Soiree, at The Apawamis Club last Thursday. The group honored Dr. Eric Byrne, outgoing superintendent of Rye City schools, for supporting its programs and services and expanding mental health support for students across the District. The group raised over $200,000 to help sustain and grow its prevention, intervention, and mental health and wellness programs that elevate youth mental well-being and support families in the community.
“RYC serves as a vital resource our our entire community, collaborating with schools, healthcare providers, local business, and government partners to promote the social and emotional development of our youth, strengthen their resilience and support their mental health and well-being,” said RYC Board Member and Psychotherapist Marnie White, LCSW.

Rye High School junior TJ Neeves took the stage, sharing a presentation he created and narrated to thank Dr. Byrne for making inclusion his mission, “that sparked something larger and encouraged others to create more accessible programming.”
Lisa Dominici, RYC executive director, thanked the group’s staff and lauded their prevention and youth development efforts through initiatives like the Peer to Peer and the Student-athlete Mental Health programs. The evening highlighted RYC Restore, the clinical counseling and therapy service for children ages 5-22.


