YMCA to Honor Whittier’s Reusch, Emmaus

Augustine J. “Gus” Reusch.

Whittier’s Birthplace’s Augustine J. “Gus” Reusch and Emmaus are among those who will be recognized during the YMCA’s Eighth Annual Educator of the Year award ceremony in November.

Reusch, of Haverhill, has served as curator of Whittier Birthplace since 2008. In this capacity, he conducts tours of the poet’s birthplace and reaches out to schools and community groups. He served as a middle school social studies instructor for both St. Joseph’s School and Haverhill public schools for nearly 40 years. He began his teaching career at St. Joseph’s School in 1965.  He then taught between 1971 and 1985 at the Nettle School, between 1985 and 1997 at Hunking School and then back to St. Joseph’s School until his retirement in 2002.

Many have seen him portray Whittier during the museum’s Whittier Snow-Bound Weekends.

Emmaus was founded in 1985 to provide housing and services to homeless adults and families in Haverhill. It has helped more than 25,000 homeless children, women and men find permanent housing, jobs and self-sufficiency through various programs, emergency shelters and transitional housing.

Reusch and Emmaus are being honored for their “commitment to community,” according to YMCA officials.

The ceremony takes place Tuesday, Nov. 15, beginning at 5:30 p.m., at DiBurro’s, 887 Boston Road, Haverhill. Tickets are $40 per person, including dinner, and are available by calling Tracy Fuller at 978-374-0506 or emailing [email protected].