Rye Youth Council to Honor Joe DeRuvo, Dan Love and Kid’s S.P.A.C.E.

 Joe DeRuvo, Dan Love and Kid’s S.P.A.C.E. will be the honorees at the Rye Youth Council’s annual Gala on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at the Westchester Country Club. Each of the honorees make Rye a better place for children and will be recognized for their great commitment and dedication to making a difference.

Joe DeRuvo has been involved in the Rye City Schools since 1969!  He began his teaching career in Rye at the Osborn school, (after spending 3 years at a Catholic School in the South Bronx). Twenty-three years ago, Joe moved from Osborn to Rye Middle School, at first as a permanent assistant to the principal.  Soon his title was changed to Dean of Students, and then to Assistant Principal.  While working in the Rye Schools, Joe has participated in many different endeavors, becoming part of the    storytelling workshop for Rye teachers, appearing in school theatrical productions both at Osborn and Rye High School.  Joe joined the Rye Youth Council Board as the community representative for the Rye Middle School over 20 years ago and continues in the role today.  He joined the Rye Youth Council Players and loved the opportunity to be “on stage”.   Joe is a father and grandfather and well respected and much loved member of the Rye Community.

Dan Love has been the Associate Pastor at Rye Presbyterian Church since 1997.  In addition to working with the senior pastor to tend to the worship and pastoral care of the church, Dan has primary responsibility for the confirmation class.  For many years, Dan was the leader of the middle school youth group, and has served on youth mission trips from the church to Honduras, Kentucky, New York City and New Orleans.  Dan also works closely with the Board of Deacons, the Stephen ministry care giving team, and the Mission and Outreach Committee.  Within the larger community, Dan has been an active participant, frequently seen coaching his children, or participating in various community endeavors, joining with a number of Rye Youth Council programs, such as Community Conversations. Prior to coming to Rye, Dan served as a chaplain at the Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA.   The Loves have three children.

Kids’ S.P.A.C.E. was created by Rye parents in 1994 to meet the childcare needs of the Rye elementary school age population and provide an affordable and reliable, high quality program of childcare and enrichment. It is a not-for-profit, user funded, school-based, community organization providing programs at Osborn Elementary School and the Rye Y.M.C.A. The program is open to any child in the Rye City School District, in Kindergarten through fifth grade and currently serve over 160 children, many of who are from single and/or dual-career families.  The flexible time schedule ensures that the child who needs care once a week, once a month, or once a year has the same opportunity to use the program as the child who needs care on a daily basis.  Since its inception, Kids’ S.P.A.C.E. has served over 1500 children., through its three components: Breakfast Club, After Kindergarten program, and  After School Program,. All of the Kids’ S.P.A.C.E. programs encourage self-confidence and self-expression as well as responsibility, decision-making, and respect for others

Tickets to the Gala, which include cocktails, dinner, dancing, and an auction are available at the Rye Youth Council Office at the Rye Y, second floor. For more information, please contact the Rye Youth Council at (914) 967-3838 or visit www.ryeyouthcouncil.org