Last Sunday, September 17th, the community of Acton-Boxborough gathered to celebrate a momentous occasion - the unveiling of our new space for Danny's Place Youth Services. This date holds significance as it follows what would have been Danny's 37th birthday, a poignant reminder of the inspiration behind our organization.
In her opening remarks, our Executive Director Katie Gorzcyca reflected on this milestone and the journey that led to it. "Today it feels incredibly meaningful to be gathered here in celebration as we turn a new and exciting page for Danny’s Place," she said.
The new space, which has been a labor of love and teamwork, is the result of a successful growth campaign. Key contributors included the building crew, who not only did an excellent job but also helped hide a time capsule in the walls of the building. The contributions of M & M Home Services, the project's builders, Leland Koehler-Rice, the architect, and Stamm & Black, the designer, were instrumental in bringing the vision for Danny's Place to life.
"We are so pleased to be housed in the heart of West Acton. They say it takes a village, and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this one," Katie expressed her gratitude towards West Acton Villageworks for their faith in the mission of Danny's Place.
The journey wouldn't have been possible without the unwavering support of our team, the board, volunteers, committee members, and donors. "Their readiness to roll up their sleeves to help out has been immeasurably appreciated," Katie added, "Thank you for understanding the critical need for our work and believing in our mission."
A key focus of Danny’s Place is to provide a safe and nurturing space for kids to discover their true, authentic selves. Their non-competitive programming offers a place of belonging where kids and teens can connect and grow together. Katie praised her team for their competency, compassion, and commitment to keeping the kids safe, adding that she feels truly lucky to work with them.
As they step into this new phase, Katie acknowledged those who have come before and left their meaningful impact on Danny’s Place. "With each step forward, we reflect and honor our past and how it’s gotten us to where we are today," she said, thanking her family for trusting her to carry forward the vision of Danny’s Place in the name of her brother's memory.
The doors are now open to the public in their new home. While they still have settling in to do, they're excited to share this moment with the community. The day was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by an open house where attendees could meet the team and learn more about their offerings.
"We’re excited to share this moment with our community so we can settle in together," Katie concluded, "Thank you for being here and for being a part of this very memorable day."
As we celebrate this milestone, we invite everyone to continue supporting Danny's Place in their mission to provide a safe and supportive space for youth. Your support is invaluable, and together, we can make a difference.
