BEACON OF HOPE CAMPAIGN

Our Beacon of Hope Campaign aims to strengthen Danny’s Place as a guiding light for our youth - for the next 20 years, and beyond.

Danny’s Place was started to honor the memory of Danny McCarthy, an Acton-Boxborough High School student who died in 2003 in a tragic car accident.  Danny believed there was more to life than perfect academics and accolades. In his short life, his enthusiasm for giving his best to everything, his love for his friends and family, and his appreciation for bringing people together inspired all who knew him.  

Danny’s Place began as a drop-in youth center and has since grown to a program-centric model focused on three core areas -  Mental Health & Wellness, Self-Exploration & Life Skills, and Leadership & Community-Building. Our unique program suite provides opportunities that build the confidence and emotional intelligence required to become our next generation of leaders. 

Our campaign goal of $2.3 million will help us outfit our new, two-floor home in West Acton and will allow us to:

• Offer more of our unique programming that fills the gaps for our young people - from activities clubs and social justice art classes to financial literacy lessons and community service project support

• Serve more program participants - from 600 to over 3000 per year - in an accessible space that is within walking distance from many community schools and neighborhood shops

• Grow our team of dedicated staff to develop new programming and partnerships, and serve as advocates for our youth

• Continue to provide a safe and joyful space where kids can be kids.

• In addition to providing direct programming, Danny’s Place serves the community through its special events and coalition work, positively impacting all youth in Acton-Boxborough and serving as a model for neighboring communities.

• This larger, multi-faceted space will allow us to be an anchor for our neighborhood and a safe space for all.

In all we do, we believe that proactively allowing kids to make space for healthy social interactions, self-exploration, and learning in a non-competitive environment will help them find the balance to succeed in school and other pursuits.

From our Executive Director, Katie Gorczyca:

“We are so excited to share with you that we will officially be moving into a larger space for the 2023-2024 program year. This space has a key location, being right in the heart of West Acton, and as a large corner building, it's instantly recognizable within our community - making it easy to find, while staying centrally located and within walking distance to many of the schools. 

543 Mass Ave is a perfect space for us to grow into. We will have exclusive use of two floors, and each floor is designed with a unique flow to offer various types of space usage. The first floor includes a lobby for easy transitions, a private conference room, a cozy library with four nooks for breakout groups, designated staff areas, and a newly designed program space with room to move, which will lead out into a new courtyard. The second floor includes several large workstations for meetings, studying, group work and crafts, as well as a contained nook with a lofted ceiling for wellness-based activities. We will have the ability to run concurrent programs and grow our impact significantly. 

When I walk through this space, I envision our youth leadership council meeting in the cozy library space discussing their next service project; I see the tables upstairs filled with art supplies as young people get immersed in the creative process; I see teens circling up in the wellness nook and making space to slow down. This building has the flow and the space we need to grow our impact and carry out our mission.”

Case For Support

Heartshare

Our Contributors

GROUNDING ANCHORS

Jeff & Cindy McCarthy

Jennifer Eckert & Rich D’Amore

GUIDING LIGHTS

Tracy Campion

William H. Stoller - Stoller Family Foundation

FRIENDS OF DANNY Sub-Campaign

Carmichael Roberts & Sandra Park

Dr. Christine Fanning & Brian Matthews

Julie & Jay Bisognano

Elliot Katzman

Janis Raguin

Karen & David Sirois

Lauren R. Morton

Anne & Kevin Halligan

Anonymous

Ed Zuker

HOPE SEEKERS

Open Door Education

Dave Vieau

Kyle & Kirsten McCarthy

Chris & Katie Gorczyca

Ted & Chrissy Straub

Jon Hirschtick & Randy Gollub

Linwood Bumford

Gerard Phelan

Acton Lions Club

Michael Skok

Rob Nicewicz

Kristina & Bruce Rychlik

Kenneth & Estelle McCarthy

Rod &  Nancy Hodgman

Katherine Lee & Michael Quirk

Paula & Peter Bentinck-Smith

Mark Borden

Sandra Dennis

Robert Davoli & Eileen McDonagh

Insulet Corporation

Peter & Mary Ann Ashton

Susan Moncrieff

David Wilson & Celia Joseph

Pam Ryan

FRIENDS OF DANNY’S PLACE 

Annette & Blake Lochrie

Peter Smail

Emily & David Keane

Amy & Venkat Krishnamurthy

Geoff Cronin

David Wilson & Celia Joseph

Joseph Grassi

Eastern Bank

Walter Woods

Anonymous

Tara Zantow

Betsy Matson 

Michael Feinstein

Lindsay T. Jackson

Carol Gerrity

Elizabeth Hastings

Jennifer Clarke

Renee Soluk

Marc Cohen

Robert and Nancy Go

Anthony Zona

Robert and Donna Clifford

William Sheehan

Lindsay Rosenman

Amy and Venkat Krishnamurthy

Renee Soluk

Randall Uram

Thank you for considering supporting our cause.

We couldn't do it without the help of people like you. If you're interested in learning more about our mission and how you can make a difference, let's connect and set up a time to chat. You can also join us for a tour of our space to see firsthand the impact your support can have.

Let's take action and create a brighter future for generations to come.