Giving Rye is a feature series highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Lauren Collins of Kids’ S.P.A.C.E. of Rye.
Your Name: Lauren Collins
Name of your organization: Kids’ S.P.A.C.E. of Rye
Your role: Director
MyRye.com: Tell us your organization’s mission
Collins: Our mission is to provide an affordable, reliable, and high-quality program of childcare and enrichment before and after school. We serve children in the Rye City School District. Kids’ S.P.A.C. E. is supervised by a qualified and nurturing staff in a safe and secure environment, offering a variety of activities designed to engage both boys and girls. Since its inception, Kids’ S.P.A.C.E. has served thousands of children.
How long have you operated in or around Rye?
Collins: Our program has operated for over 30 years and takes place at Osborn School.
What programming or work is the organization best known for?
Collins: We are best known for offering flexible, reliable and affordable before and after school care to children in grades K-5. We offer financial assistance to families who cannot afford the tuition but may not qualify for assistance at the county level.
Looking forward to 2026, what will be your top initiatives?
Collins: To continue to keep Kids’ S.P.A.C.E. affordable for all families and to maintain the high standard of quality that our families can rely on.
Tell us about the population you serve and how they can get involved with your programming and services.
Collins: We serve children in grades K-5 from Milton, Midland and Osborn Schools.
Are you a 501(c)(3) non-profit with tax exempt status?
Collins: Yes.
Looking back across 2025, what were your organization’s top achievements?
Collins:
- Enrollment Growth
- Scholarships for any family in need were made available
- Our successful Gingerbread Night fundraiser was a highlight
How can local residents support your organization?
Collins: Older students can get involved through community service and residents are welcome to volunteer or join our board of directors. We hope community members and businesses will support our ongoing fundraising events so that we can continue to ensure that all families have access to quality care.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in your current role?
Collins: 26 Years.
Is the role full time or part time? Paid or volunteer?
Collins: Full time.
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
Collins: Dedicated.
Where did you grow up?
Collins: Yorktown Heights, NY.
What principles guide you when you have to make a difficult decision?
Collins: What is best for the program and its families?
What excites you most about the future—for yourself or for the world?
Collins: To know that in challenging times, there will be safe and affordable options for our youth and their families.
Where do you live and how many years have you lived there?
Collins: I have lived in Rye for 35 years.
Thanks Lauren!
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