New York City, New York: Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy (BGTI), a nonprofit that empowers war refugee, migrant, and at-risk youth living on the streets, announced today the honorees of its 68th Annual Spring Ball to be held on Thursday, April 11th at The Pierre, New York. The Man of the Year is Joseph B. Ryan Jr., Managing Director of Development, Construction, and Operations for Sabey Data Center Properties in New York City, and actor-playwright Chazz Palminteri is the Celebrity of the Year.

FOX 5 Entertainment News Anchor, Jill Nicolini, will reprise her role as Master of Ceremonies for this year's event, hosting more than 600 attendees from the United States and Italy.

As Managing Director at Sabey Data Center Properties, Joe is leading one of New York City's newest and most technologically advanced development and construction projects: converting the former Verizon Building on the Lower East Side of Manhattan into a 1 million-square-foot, 32-story data center. The Intergate.Manhattan Data Center project will be instrumental in establishing New York City as a major player on the technology scene, both nationally and internationally. In his personal life, "Never Say No Joe" is an ardent and dedicated supporter of many charitable organizations, including Make-A-Wish Foundation and the NY Law Enforcement Foundation.

Academy Award nominee Chazz Palminteri has graced the silver screen in over 50 films and has contributed immensely to Italian-American Theater Arts with his original Broadway hit, A Bronx Tale. Palminteri's powerful and realistic portrayal of his characters has landed him noteworthy roles beside Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey, and Susan Sarandon, and under directors like Woody Allen in Bullets over Broadway. In 2012, the National Italian American Foundation honored Palminteri for his outstanding work at their East Coast Gala.

BGTI's success lies in its innovative self-government approach. Arriving from 18 different countries, young people who have fled war, violence, extreme poverty, human and sex trafficking live at the two campuses outside of Rome where they become citizens responsible for running their Town. They elect one another to positions such as mayor, judge, and commissioner and hold frequent assembly meetings to discuss the affairs of their Town. Through this activity, along with schooling and vocational training, they develop vital skills needed to integrate into and contribute to society as active, self-reliant adults.

"BGTI's method of helping children with violent and traumatizing pasts is both innovative and powerful. Teaching young people to be self-sufficient and community-oriented is essential for success in the world we live in today. I am honored to be selected as their Man of the Year," said Joseph B. Ryan Jr.

Since its founding in 1945 by Monsignor John Patrick Carroll-Abbing, BGTI has been funded by a generous American community of donors moved by the immigrant experience and a desire to give back.

"Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy is a volunteer-driven community of Americans committed to helping young people around the world. Today, young refugees are entering Italy at an unprecedented rate, making our work BGTI more important than ever before," said Executive Director Carrie Sackett.

The event will begin with cocktails at 6 PM followed by dinner, music, and entertainment. Tickets are $550 each. For more details or to make a donation, please call the Boys' & Girls Towns of Italy New York office: 212.980.8770 or email [email protected].

Visit their website at: http://bgti.org