Youth Services Organization to Expand in West Acton

Acton-based Danny’s Place has signed a lease to relocate to a larger space in West Acton to increase programming and capacity for local youth. The move, anticipated for summer 2023, will enable Danny’s Place to expand offerings and broaden its reach by the start of the 2023-24 school year.

The multi-room space at 543 Mass Ave, eight times the space of Danny’s Place’s current space, will allow for concurrent sessions of its unique direct programming, targeted to children ages 8 to 18, which address three core areas: mental health and wellness, self-exploration and life skills, and leadership and community-building. The space will also accommodate special events and meetings, allowing Danny’s Place to serve Acton and Boxborough through its broader levels of impact, including its coalition work and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

Danny’s Place, which began in 2004 to honor the memory of Danny McCarthy, an Acton-Boxborough High School student who died in a tragic car accident, is currently located in a one-room space on the lower level of 525 Mass Ave, part of the West Acton Villageworks community in West Acton. Beginning as a drop-in center, Danny’s Place switched to a program-centric model in 2014 to address a community need for youth-centered, non-competitive group experiences that foster teamwork, confidence, and leadership skills. Since then, an increase in interest for its unique offerings - which range from activities clubs, to financial literacy lessons, to community service project support - has led to growing waitlists.

Through the organization’s Beacon of Hope Campaign leadership aims to increase staff and programming over the next five years, estimating they will grow from directly serving 600 children and teens per year to over 3000. They also anticipate their special events and coalition initiatives will reach many more in the district and beyond. Katie Gorczyca, Executive Director, a licensed mental health professional and Danny’s sister, believes in the need for places that offer opportunities that allow kids to be kids: “The need to do more for our kids has never been greater. The culmination of isolation and anxiety during the pandemic, on top of a deep, multi-directional pressure to make the best use of their time by filling schedules to attain skills and advance beyond their peers, has resulted in a generation of kids who need more support–to build social skills and to manage big feelings or conflict. This move will help us meet increased community demand for programming that allows kids to socialize without the added pressure of competition.”

The building is conveniently located within a vibrant community of independently-owned businesses in West Acton Village and walkable from many Acton-Boxborough schools. The light-filled two-floor interior will be updated for accessibility and will open directly onto one of the Villageworks courtyards. With more visibility, this larger, multi-faceted space “will allow us to be an anchor for our neighborhood and a safe space for all,” stated Gorczyca.

Outside-of-school time programs are viewed as a proactive way to combat negative trends seen among youth. Mental health professionals across the country observe a reduction in in-person socialization time and a rise in anxiety and depression among children and teens. Studies, such as a recent report from Learning Heroes and funded by the Wallace Foundation, reveal that outside-of-school time programs, like those offered by Danny’s Place, foster healthy development among participants due to their non-competitive nature, allowing them to find their voices and their passions.

The building is part of the West Acton Villageworks community and owned and operated by New Habitat Partners, a development firm focused on creating locally-focused, environmentally-responsible communities. The building, built in 1914, was originally home to St. Elizabeth’s Church. In 1983, OMR Architects purchased and renovated the decommissioned church to house its architecture studios, where it was based for almost 40 years. Mathias Rosenfeld, owner of New Habitat Partners, expressed that Danny’s Place is a good match for the space, “Danny’s Place joined us at West Acton Villageworks nearly 10 years ago and over that time it has been amazing to watch the organization evolve to rise up and meet the urgent emotional needs of Acton and Boxborough’s youth. The old St. Elizabeth’s church building was built over 100 years ago as a place to bring community together, and I can’t think of a space better suited to support the community-based mission of Danny’s Place today. The building is filled with light and nurturing energy. We are thrilled Danny’s Place has made West Acton its home, and are so excited to help bring their vision into reality.” New Habitat Partners also owns the current space occupied by Danny’s Place in West Acton Villageworks at 525 Mass Ave.

To learn more about Danny’s Place programming and its Beacon of Hope campaign, please visit dannys-place.org/hope.