History

Zack’s Place: Celebrating 20 Years of Community, Connection, and Joy

Participants in fancy hats and dresses at an outdoor tea party

For 20 years, Zack’s Place has been a place where individuals with special needs can come together to learn, create, explore, build friendships, and experience the simple joy of belonging.

What began two decades ago with a family’s desire to create meaningful opportunities and connections for their son has grown into a vibrant community enrichment center serving individuals and families throughout the Upper Valley. Today, Zack’s Place continues to be guided by the belief that everyone deserves access to enriching experiences, meaningful relationships, and opportunities to discover and share their unique talents.

Our programs are provided at no cost to participants and their families. Through the generosity of our donors, fundraising events, volunteers, and community partners, participants can take part in a wide range of activities designed to encourage creativity, independence, social connection, and personal growth.

From art and music to dance, theater, cooking, literacy, science, nutrition, and athletics, there is always something happening at Zack’s Place. Participants also enjoy field trips and outdoor adventures, including adaptive sports and visits to local museums, farms, theaters, lakes, and ski areas. These experiences are about much more than having fun—they provide opportunities to develop skills, build confidence, make friends, and create lasting memories.

Twenty Years of Growth

Our 20th anniversary gives us an opportunity to reflect on how far Zack’s Place has come and to recognize the many people who have made this journey possible.
Former co-founder and longtime Executive Director Dail Frates, who led Zack’s Place for 15 years, played an important role in establishing the organization and creating the foundation for its continued success. Her dedication helped shape the culture and community that remain central to Zack’s Place today.

In September 2024, Zack’s Place welcomed a new Executive Director, beginning another chapter in the organization’s history. With the foundation built over the past two decades, Zack’s Place continues to grow while remaining true to the vision that started it all.

And that growth is especially evident in 2026. We have welcomed an influx of new participants and volunteers, bringing new friendships, new energy, and new possibilities to our community. Social media has also become an important way for us to share what happens at Zack’s Place, introduce more people to our mission, and invite others to become part of our growing community.

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A Community That Shows Up

The strength of Zack’s Place has always been rooted in the generosity and commitment of our community.

Our fundraising efforts continue to be strong, with both the Zack’s Place Golf Tournament and Turkey Trot achieving record-breaking success. These events bring people together while raising essential funds that allow us to continue offering our programs free of charge.

We are deeply grateful to the many individuals, families, businesses, volunteers, and community members who support these events and believe in the mission of Zack’s Place.

In 2025, we experienced another important milestone when the generosity of Bob and Ann Quasman made it possible for Zack’s Place to purchase a new 2025 accessible van. This new vehicle has made travel safer and more comfortable for our participants and allows us to continue providing meaningful opportunities beyond the walls of our center.

Whether we are heading out for a field trip, participating in an adaptive activity, or simply exploring our community together, transportation is an essential part of creating those experiences. We are incredibly grateful for this generous gift.

More Than a Place—A Community

After 20 years, Zack’s Place is about much more than a building or a schedule of activities. It is about people.

It is about the participant who discovers a new talent in the art studio. The friends who laugh together during a music class. The volunteer who shares a skill or passion. The family who knows their loved one has a place where they are welcomed and valued. It is about the instructors, staff, board members, donors, and community partners who give their time, talent, and resources to make these experiences possible.

It is also about connection across generations and abilities. Volunteers, students, educators, seniors, families, and community members all contribute to the rich and inclusive environment that makes Zack’s Place special.

As we celebrate 20 years, we are filled with gratitude for everyone who has been part of our story. We celebrate where we began, where we are today, and the exciting possibilities ahead.

The next chapter of Zack’s Place is already taking shape—with new participants, new volunteers, strong community support, and a shared commitment to ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to participate, connect, create, and shine.

Twenty years later, the heart of Zack’s Place remains the same: everyone has a place here.

Volunteers walking and riding bikes with participants on a shaded path