We are thrilled to share with you the exciting news that Danny's Place has been honored with the William L. Ryan Community Service Award! This is an incredible recognition for all of the hard work and dedication our team has invested in serving our community.
Katie Gorczyca - Danny’s Place Executive Director
It was a rainy Friday at the Acton-Boxborough High School Class of 2023 Graduation when the Superintendent Peter Light of the Acton-Boxborough District shared the following - kind - words to the audience before presenting the award:
“The mission of Danny’s Place Youth Services is “Connect, Inspire, Grow.” These words have guided the work of this outstanding Acton institution since Danny McCarthy’s family first started to conceive of the center 20 years ago. The McCarthys, including Danny’s sister, executive director Katie Gorczyca, and her staff, have worked hard to build connections among kids, with local families, and between themselves and staff at many of our district schools. The work at Danny’s Place has inspired many young people throughout the years, through programs like Nature Pathways and Sparks and Me to help kids learn about themselves through art and the natural world. They have created a haven for kids who may feel at ease in other settings, a hub of energy and creativity.
And in every way, Danny’s Place grows and sustains growth: the number and diversity of programs grows, the staff has grown, and now, the Place itself is growing, as they begin their move into the former church at 543 Mass. Ave. This location will give everyone at Danny’s Place the space they need to build more connections, inspire more young leaders–like 2018 AB grad Ash Subramaniyam, program leader of Penguin Club–and enhance their relationships with school counselors and teachers.
Our community is incredibly fortunate to have an organization at its very heart that is devoted to helping young people thrive in the ever more challenging environment they occupy. The spirit of the William L. Ryan Community Service Award shines brilliantly in everything they do, and for this reason, we recognize their 20 years of giving back to all of us with this award, and look forward to seeing where the next 20 years will take them.”
Photo by Acton TV
At Danny's Place, we are honored and humbled to have been recognized with the William L. Ryan Community Service Award. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, as well as the incredible young people who make up our organization.
Moving forward, we are committed to continuing our work to support and empower young people in the Acton-Boxborough area and beyond. We believe that young people have the power to create a brighter future for all of us, and we are excited to be a part of that journey.
Whether you are a member of our community, a supporter, or simply interested in learning more about our work, we invite you to join us in our mission to create a more just, equitable, and compassionate world. Together, we can make a difference.