Giving Rye: Meet Soul Ryeders
Giving Rye is a feature series highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Stacy Weissberg of Soul Ryeders.
Your Name: Stacy Weissberg
Organization: Soul Ryeders
Your role: Director of Programs
MyRye.com: Tell us your organization’s mission.
Weissberg: Soul Ryeders provides personalized resources, innovative programs and community support to anyone in the New York Tri-State area impacted by any type of cancer.
How long have you operated in Rye?
Weissberg: 17 years, since 2007
What programming or work in Rye is the organization best known for?
Weissberg: We provide individualized, supportive services and programming to anyone with any type of cancer and their caregivers. Our personalized resources and care are created with the understanding of our client’s unique experience.
- New Client Interaction: Once someone reaches out for support, our team connects with them quickly to understand their specific circumstance and diagnosis and connect them to the services we provide and in the community , including an opportunity to speak with an Oncology Social Worker to create a personalized plan of support.
- Client and Caregiver Programs- from the moment a client reaches out we treat them as a unique individual and help them to connect to the right support ranging from one on one support, support groups, workshops, classes and our wig program.
- Volunteer opportunities: With over 400 volunteers annually, we are able to provide personalized touches through our services and events. Our dedicated volunteers create homemade items for our clients, deliver care packages, ensure events are supported and so much more.
Looking forward to 2025, what will be your top initiatives?
Weissberg:
- Peer Support Program: we look forward to continuing to grow this program, now in its second year. We’ve seen the value for those newly diagnosed by connecting with a peer mentor and will look to expand opportunities for these connections to be made.
- 3rd Half Marathon & 5k: After two successful years of our Half Marathon & 5K, we look forward to expanding to include support for those that have never participated before and are looking for guidance and connections preparing to walk or run this year. We will offer group walks/runs and yoga classes leading up to race day. Join us on May 18 2025!
Tell us about the population you serve and how they can get involved with your programming and services.
Weissberg: Soul Ryeders serves anyone who has or has had a cancer diagnosis and those who care for them. Anyone interested in our programs and services can complete our new client/caregiver intake form on our website or give us a call. Once you reach out, our intake coordinator will connect with you and determine how best we can be there for you. A few options are:
- One-on-one time with our oncology social worker to gain resources for your specific diagnosis and situation
- Meet a volunteer wig advisor to be fitted for a free wig
- Join one of our classes, support groups or workshops
Are you a 501(c)(3) non-profit with tax exempt status?
Weissberg: Yes
Looking back across 2024, what were your organization’s top achievements?
Weissberg:
- Launching our Peer Support Program, allowing us to connect trained volunteer Peer Mentors with newly diagnosed clients. Adding peer support to the professional support offered already at Soul Ryeders provides one-on-one support, advice and resources from someone who has.
- Adding a Survivors’ Tent to our annual Half Marathon and 5K allowed for anyone who has or ever had a cancer diagnosis and their caregivers to connect and gather together on race day. Connections are a hallmark of what Soul Ryeders provides and extending this to race day was wonderful to see.
How can local residents support your organization?
Weissberg: There are three main ways you can connect with Soul Ryeders:
- Refer someone: If you know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer and could use our support, you can tell them about us and direct them to our website to complete a new client form so we can provide them with individualized care and resources.
- Volunteer: We have opportunities for all ages with various time commitments. If you are an individual, club, school group or corporation, visit our volunteer page on our website to reach out and learn more.
- Donate: Our organization can provide resources to those who have a cancer diagnosis due to your generous philanthropic support. Individual donations are our foundational base of funding to ensure that anyone who reaches out to us receives compassion, connection and personalized care free of charge.
What local Rye residents and area businesses have been the longest, steadiest supporters of your organization?
Weissberg: Since 2015, our Giving Circle members have been dedicated contributors who pledge $1,000 or more annually for a 3-year commitment. In the beginning, our core members all lived in Rye. They invested in our work and have inspired many more to pledge and grow our circle of support. Now, the Giving Circle members live in Rye and beyond, collectively creating a vital foundation of support.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in your current role?
Weissberg: 5 years
Is the role full time or part time? Paid or volunteer?
Weissberg: Full time
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
Weissberg: Compassionate
Where did you grow up?
Weissberg: I was born in Washington, DC but spent most of my childhood in New Jersey.
If the next five years is a chapter in your life, what is this chapter about?
Weissberg: Hope
Where do you live in Rye and how many years have you lived in the City?
Weissberg: Dobbs Ferry, NY
Thanks Stacy!
Learn more:
Bio: Stacy Weissberg, LCSW, APHSW-C
Stacy is the Director of Programs at Soul Ryeders. She is an Oncology Social Worker with more than 20 years’ experience in oncology and palliative care, working with children, teens and adults impacted by cancer. Her work has been in both nonprofit community settings and academic hospital settings. Her passion is addressing the impact of a serious illness on the whole family. She holds an undergraduate degree in Clinical Psychology
