Cambridge Community Development Just A Start Style

What are your organization's guiding values?
Just A Start believes that access to stable housing and sustainable careers are the essential building blocks of equitable communities.
For more than 50 years, we have focused on meeting the fundamental needs of individuals and families who have been systemically denied opportunities. Our programs include affordable housing, education and job training, and comprehensive support services, spanning Cambridge and beyond. Our vision is an equitable community where everyone can secure a solid economic foundation.

What ongoing services or programs does
Just A Start provide?
We "Build Homes, Careers, and Futures," guiding individuals and families towards economic stability through affordable housing, job training, and comprehensive support services.

Homes: We have developed and currently maintain 600 affordable apartments. To help keep community members housed, we offer mediation and financial assistance to prevent evictions, and support low- and moderate-income homeowners with necessary home renovations and repairs. Whether you're looking to rent, buy, stay in, or improve your home, Just A Start can support you.

Careers:
• Adult Career Training: A tuition-free, nine-month program that trains adults for careers in biotechnology or information technology, providing a pipeline to local, high-demand jobs. The program includes workforce skills training, development of crucial soft skills, and support services to address barriers to education, employment, and career advancement.
• YouthBuild Just A Start is a full-time workforce development program for ages 16-24 in the Boston Metro North region. Utilizing positive youth development and trauma-informed practices, we help young people reclaim their education, gain job skills, and become community leaders through comprehensive services and academic and career training.

• Futures: Our Financial Empowerment Programs, now housed at the new Financial Empowerment Collaborative at 55 Norfolk St, Cambridge, MA, include financial coaching, free tax preparation, and the Families Moving Forward program. These services provide financial education for economic mobility, supporting participants in increasing their financial stability and achieving their goals.

Share a recent story that embodies Just A Start's Work.
Earlier this year, we celebrated the inaugural Families Moving Forward (FMF) cohort at their graduation. This three-year program, with an optional third-year extension, connected 25 low-income Cambridge mothers with personal mentors and supportive resources to help them achieve their goals in health, housing, finances, education, and work.

One participant, Liana, joined the program facing health issues and unemployment. With the support of her Mobility Mentor, Selma, Liana set and met various goals, including earning multiple certifications that led to a job and eventually a promotion. She also advocated for services for her child, improved her credit score, and built an emergency savings fund. Liana is now working towards purchasing a home. And this is only one example.

Collectively, FMF’s inaugural cohort saved a total of $110,000 and increased their income by an average of $25,000 in three years. We are honored to have been part of their journey to self-sufficiency and look forward to supporting future participants.

Has Just A Start had any recent changes?
The Economic Mobility Hub at Rindge Commons is here! You can now find Just A Start at 430 Rindge Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140. As our team settles into our new home in North Cambridge, we are excited to have all our services in one central location and continue doing what we do best—building homes, careers, and futures.

Since 2022, we have been building this new, mixed-use development at Alewife, which includes a state-of-the-art education and job training center, affordable housing, childcare, and services for the entire neighborhood. We have received a total of $5.5 million in philanthropic support from neighbors, legislators, organizations, and the community at large and are excited to soon share details about our grand opening celebration. To learn more about the comprehensive services now available under one roof, visit www.justastart.org/rindge-commons/.

If your organization was an emoji what would it by and why?
🧱 Bricks because for over 50 years we have been committed to building equitable and thriving communities!

FMF graduates,   New building at 430 Rindge Ave,  Opening of the Financial Empowerment Collaborative