Where Hope Grows: Meet Gianni
Gianni and his family came to us when he was in the second grade, looking for a reason to believe that things could get better. Traditional classrooms could not meet his needs, and he was in an environment that didn’t fully understand him.
Click the link to hear from Gianni himself!
Everything changed when he arrived at the Doctor Franklin Perkins School, where educators saw his strengths and created a space where he could grow, learn, and feel believed in.
A Note from Dr. Kathy Mills
Hope Grows Here
When I think about the work we do at RFK Community Alliance, I think about hope - the kind that gives someone the courage to take the next step, try something new, or believe in themselves. Your generosity becomes part of the reason someone discovers confidence, stability, and possibility. Last year, donors helped create successes like Gianni’s.
Today, Gianni is in 11th grade and is confident, motivated, and preparing for adulthood. He has a great sense of humor, evidenced when he asked to recreate this iconic picture! In his own words: “When I first got to the Dr. Franklin Perkins School, I had some issues that I could not handle. As I grew up, I found out how to handle many of those issues, and this school is a major reason why.”
His grandmother adds, “I am one proud grandmother... he has grown into a caring, kind, sympathetic young man, conquering and working through his struggles and obstacles.”
Hope Grows Here
Donations help make transformations like this possible.
RFK Community Alliance provides coordinated, compassionate care for individuals who often face difficulties in traditional systems. Your support ensures they receive the tools, relationships, and steady encouragement they need to learn, heal, and thrive.
I invite you to support RFK Community Alliance today with a gift. As we close the year, we are working to raise $100,000 by December 31st to ensure every person who turns to us receives the care they need.
By making a gift today, you help ensure that every child, teen, and adult who turns to us has the same chance to grow, heal, and succeed that Gianni did.
With gratitude,
Kathy Mills, PhD, LICSW
President and CEO
Where Hope Grows: Meet Juanita
Juanita Hall is the Program Director for the Young Adult Supported Living (YASL) Program in Central Massachusetts. Click the link to hear Juanita’s powerful reminder that your generosity isn't just a gift, it’s a real difference-maker.
Hear firsthand how care and connection can change lives—and why your involvement matters so much.
The YASL Program at RFK Community Alliance supports young adults (ages 18-22 years old) with housing, case management and experiential learning. We work with participating young adults to develop Individual Treatment Plans and connect them to their communities for a lifetime.
Where Hope Grows
In 2025, we served 1,600 people of all ages from 175 cities and towns across New England.
Each year, we provide over 8,000 mental health sessions, ensuring participants across our programs have access to therapy and clinical support as needed.
This Past Year....
Expanded Learning Access ➙
We doubled the number of elementary classrooms at the Doctor Franklin Perkins School so more young students can learn in environments where they truly thrive.
New Adult Services Home ➙
We opened a welcoming West Boylston residence for three autistic women, supporting their independence and empowering interdependent living.
Multiple Families Formed ➙
Bright Futures helped 11 families welcome 13 children home from foster care and supported 6 infant adoptions, creating families that will provide the nurturing and love that kids need to thrive.
Rein in a Dream Growth ➙
RIAD delivered 2,043 lessons this year, with community ridership growing by an incredible 37%.
The Top Five Needs We Meet Every Day ➙
Our students come to us with complex challenges, and we’re proud to support them with specialized, compassionate care. The leading diagnoses among students in our education programs are:
• Neurodevelopmental disorders – 77%
• ADHD – 66%
• Depressive Disorders – 39%
• Autism Spectrum Disorders – 31%
• Specific Learning Disorders – 19%
"The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better." - Robert F. Kennedy
