Youth Council Raises $200K to Fund Mental Health Programming

(PHOTO: Rye Youth Council (RYC)'s annual spring benefit on April 24, 2025 raised over $200K to support its mental health programs. The RYC Board of Directors. Credit: Anja Porto.)
(PHOTO: Rye Youth Council (RYC)’s annual spring benefit on April 24, 2025 raised over $200K to support its mental health programs. The RYC Board of Directors. Credit: Anja Porto.)

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.

(PHOTO: Rye Youth Council (RYC)'s annual spring benefit on April 24, 2025 raised over $200K to support its mental health programs. Rye High School student TJ Neeves and RYC Board Member and event Co-chair Autumn Terrill. Credit: Anja Porto.)
(PHOTO: Rye Youth Council (RYC)’s annual spring benefit on April 24, 2025 raised over $200K to support its mental health programs. Rye High School student TJ Neeves and RYC Board Member and event Co-chair Autumn Terrill. Credit: Anja Porto.)

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.

(PHOTO: Rye Youth Council (RYC)'s annual spring benefit on April 24, 2025 raised over $200K to support its mental health programs. Event Committee Members Abbie Durkin and Susan Brescio welcome guests. Credit: Anja Porto.)
(PHOTO: Rye Youth Council (RYC)’s annual spring benefit on April 24, 2025 raised over $200K to support its mental health programs. Event Committee Members Abbie Durkin and Susan Brescio welcome guests. Credit: Anja Porto.)
(PHOTO: Rye Youth Council (RYC)'s annual spring benefit on April 24, 2025 raised over $200K to support its mental health programs. Honoree Dr. Eric Byrne, Andrea Byrne, NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis and Thomas Neeves. Credit: Anja Porto.)
(PHOTO: Rye Youth Council (RYC)’s annual spring benefit on April 24, 2025 raised over $200K to support its mental health programs. Honoree Dr. Eric Byrne, Andrea Byrne, NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis and Thomas Neeves. Credit: Anja Porto.)
(PHOTO: Rye Youth Council (RYC)'s annual spring benefit on April 24, 2025 raised over $200K to support its mental health programs. Several members of the Help Helps Soiree Event Committee: Autumn Terrill*, Laura Yaeger*, Meghann Kelly*, Erika Mercurio*, Kerri-Lynn Mulhearn, Katie Watson*, and Jaclyn Feinberg. (*denotes event co-chair). Credit: Anja Porto.)
(PHOTO: Rye Youth Council (RYC)’s annual spring benefit on April 24, 2025 raised over $200K to support its mental health programs. Several members of the Help Helps Soiree Event Committee: Autumn Terrill*, Laura Yaeger*, Meghann Kelly*, Erika Mercurio*, Kerri-Lynn Mulhearn, Katie Watson*, and Jaclyn Feinberg. (*denotes event co-chair). Credit: Anja Porto.)

RELATED ARTICLES

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *