SWAMPSCOTT — Kacy Jauron always knew growing up that the weight and legacy of her family name sat heavily on her shoulders. She took a moment to reflect on how her background has propelled her into a career based around service and community wellness.
As a token of appreciation for her generosity, Jauron has been named Essex Media Group’s “Person of the Year” for Swampscott.
“Growing up, my father was an NFL football coach and an extraordinary human being, who married another extraordinary person,” Jauron explained. “And they decided to use the life they were given and their platform that they had to really dig into the communities we lived in.”
Jauron said they felt compelled to do acts of kindness such as visiting children’s hospitals and participating in stadium food-drives. “I just really thought that was an interesting part of the NFL lifestyle,” she said. “I became more interested in the community-relations side, marketing and public-relations for the NFL.”
She said that, growing up in Swampscott, her family was well-known by the community. “When I got here, everyone knew the ‘Jauron’ name,” she said. “Between my dad and his brother, who were exceptional athletes, his sister, and my grandparents being involved in the community, it was a constant, ‘Are you Dick’s daughter?’, or ‘Are you Kay’s granddaughter?’”
“I felt like it was an opportunity to really do something super positive with our name,” she said regarding the Jauron Family Foundation. “The Jauron family was so talked about and known, and I thought that’d be a good way to model to the community what it’s like to give back.”
She recounted how, while looking for a physical space for the foundation to operate, she stumbled upon another miracle entirely. “I went out looking for an office-space where we could have meetings, think-tank sessions, and when I was looking, I found the location we’re currently at, which is just a beautiful space.”
She went home one night and spoke with her husband, who inspired her to create a space to rally together the creative work of all their friends and family. She noted the aim was to create a kind of “indoor farmer’s market” feel to the business. “All the stuff that goes into retail doesn’t interest me at all,” she said, “but creating the space, designing it, I was able to create a beautiful space to hang out in.
Coastal Collective, an art gallery and marketplace for local vendors and artisans, officially opened its doors in September 2023. According to Jauron, the space has entered into its “second phase,” she said.
“I’ve basically decided to turn it over to the vendors, and say, ‘When you guys wanna be open, here’s the lockbox code and use this beautiful space to use and be successful.” She said in reflection, the coolest element is that the foundation’s mission “turned into a beautiful space,” according to Jauron.
“We use that space for so many different things. There’s so many things people can buy, there’s also monthly support groups that meet there, and my cousin even teaches a spin-class in the back.” She added the space is equipped with ten spin bikes. “We have friends that do yoga, and I even have friends that ask if they can just go down to use the space while they work.”
“It’s an easy way for me to fundraise for the foundation, too,” she said. “It’s just become this ultimate win-win situation.” She added it’s a place for people to come to her with ideas.
