Just A Start

We are thrilled to announce that Just A Start has been awarded over $200,000 from the Healey-Driscoll Administration through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s grant programs! This funding will allow us to provide a state-of-the-art lab experience for participants in our Adult Career Training Programs.

Learn more about the $13.1 million investment supporting over 42,000 students across the Commonwealth in pursuing careers in life sciences and STEM fields by clicking the link below.

Interested in our Adult Career Training Programs? Visit www.justastart.org/adult-career-training/ to learn more.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces More Than $13 Million to Support Life Sciences Workforce Development and STEM Education Initiatives Awards to Support STEM Curricula at 91 Schools and Expand Training Programs at 20 Institutions, Preparing more than 42,000 Students for Exciting Careers in Life Sciences and STEM Fields  Today,...

It's official! Phase two of our transition to the Economic Mobility Hub at Rindge Commons is complete! 🎉

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.

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YouthBuild Just A Start may have moved to our new home in North Cambridge, but their legacy at 1175 Cambridge St will endure, especially with the stunning new patio and deck they've built! Check it out!

YouthBuild Just A Start celebrated a finished patio/deck project for residents of 1175 Cambridge Street, and unveiled it to the public.

YouthBuild construction students designed the patio with instructors, laid out footings, completed structural framing, and set stone pavers.

Since beginning the project in the fall of 2023, students from 3 different cohorts have contributed to its planning and construction.

Knowing that YouthBuild would be moving to 430 Rindge Ave., the students wanted to leave the property that they’d called home (at 1175) with a farewell present for the remaining tenants, and celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony to show off their talent and hard work.

Just A Start

Are you interested in a career in Information Technology (IT)? 🖥️ Join us for one of our IT Adult Career Training Program information sessions! Discover the valuable skills you'll gain and the job attainment support services you'll receive as a participant.

With the application deadline quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to act. Sign up for an information session happening every Tuesday and Thursday by filling out the form below or scanning the QR code on our flyer.

Don't miss out—sign up here: https://lnkd.in/e5HAHF85

As Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus said, 52 New Street "checks a lot of boxes." The 106 affordable units we are building in Cambridge, MA, will directly address the housing crisis the City and state are facing. Click below to check out the latest story on NBC10 Boston.

Affordable housing is still a priority for Mass. officials Finding room for housing is no easy task in Massachusetts, but local leaders across the Commonwealth are looking for opportunities wherever they might be. A new development of 106 units is cropping up in crowded Cambridge and in cities like Salem have quickly come into compliance with the MBTA Commu...

52 New Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is designed with families in mind.

Today, we celebrated the groundbreaking of our largest development project, creating 106 new affordable rental homes for residents. We are thrilled to be the first project permitted under the City's Affordable Housing Overlay and thank our legislators, partners, and neighbors for helping us bring this project to life. Read the press release here: www.masshousing.com/press/2024-05-28_52-new-cambridge

We are glad to be joining the Somerville Community Corporation at their Job & Resource Fair on Wednesday, May 29th! Join us by registering here: https://SCCJobSeekers.eventbrite.com

We want to hear from you! Join us on Wednesday, May 15th, for an informative session on the new 100% affordable homeownership development at 35 Cherry Street in Cambridge. To RSVP, please visit bit.ly/35cherrymeeting.

Spanish and Haitian Kreyol language accommodations can be made available both in person and online.

WE'RE HIRING! 📣 Just A Start has multiple career opportunities available now. Apply for a chance to make a meaningful impact on our community in Cambridge and beyond. To learn more, please visit www.justastart.org/careers/.

Interested in Biomedical or Information Technology career training? Join for one of our information sessions happening every Tuesday and Thursday this spring!

Just A Start offers two FREE adult career training programs. Eligibility requires a high school diploma, valid US work status, meeting low to moderate income guidelines, and passing our entrance exam.

Learn about the skills you’ll gain, job attainment support services, and more during the session! Fill out this form, or scan the QR code on our flyer to sign up. Help spread the word!

Sign up here: https://www.tfaforms.com/5108959

Exciting News! 🏠 Just A Start's Home Improvement and YouthBuild programs recently celebrated the completion of a renovation project at 95 Fayerweather St in Cambridge, MA! The fully renovated two-bedroom affordable condo will be marketed for sale to a first-time homebuyer this spring! To learn more, please visithttps://justastart.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Final-95-Fayerweather-st-press-Release.pdf

We are 30 minutes away from "Community Collaborating for Success," a free virtual convening! Discover how, with the support of community organizations, the inaugural cohort boosted their savings by $110,000, increased their aggregate salary by 126%, and tackled some of life’s toughest challenges. Register at bit.ly/fmfconvening. We hope to see you there!

We'd like to give a big shoutout to our very own Housing Stabilization Case Manager, Jamison Rudd, for completing the 2024 Boston Marathon! 🏆 Congratulations on this incredible achievement!

Support local YouthBuild USA programs, like ours, by donating at checkout in any Burlington store nationwide today! Our nearest Burlington store is located at Assembly Row, 133 Middlesex Ave, Somerville, MA 02145. For more information, visit bit.ly/youthbuild-burlington.

We are thrilled to announce that, thanks to the dedicated advocacy of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, the Economic Mobility Hub at Rindge Commons has been awarded $250,000 in federal earmark funding. This opportunity strengthens our ability to help residents access economic opportunities and build brighter futures.

For more information, please visit https://pressley.house.gov/2024/04/09/pressley-announces-over-13-million-for-community-projects-in-massachusetts-7th/

Our YouthBuild students are exceptionally talented! To learn more about our program providing high school education, job skills, and leadership development for youth, click here: justastart.org/youth-programs/

Last month YouthBuild construction students had a chance to gain hands-on experience measuring, cutting, and installing plywood underlayment on the floors of five kitchens, bath and laundry rooms. They also spent a day installing cement board siding on the exterior of the building. It was great to have the opportunity to collaborate with Habitat For Humanity.


Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston
Just A Start

Check it out! 🙌

Adult Career Training | Just-A-Start Biomedical Careers Program and IT Careers Program Tuition-free training for quality science and technology careers “Just A Start has given me the chance to be with others who share the same goals and are willing to share their learning. Interactions with people from different parts of the world wi...

You are invited to Community Collaborating for Success, a Families Moving Forward Virtual Convening on Tuesday, April 23rd at 10:00am. Please RSVP by visiting, bit.ly/fmfconvening.

Join our esteemed panelists and moderator, Geeta Pradhan, President of the Cambridge Community Foundation, as we delve into the transformative success achieved through the support of community organizations like Cambridge Housing Authority, Cambridge Health Alliance, Institute for Health and Recovery, Bridges Homeward, and Community Action Agency of Somerville.

Our Financial Empowerment Collaborative is made possible through the generous support of many!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the following organizations, businesses, and community partners for their invaluable contributions in opening the doors of 55 Norfolk Street in Cambridge: Boston Financial Management, LLC, Cambridge Arts Council, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, Compass Contracting, Liberty Mutual, Maloney Properties Ltd., Winslow Architects, Ameriprise Financial, Capital One, Charlotte Community Foundation, City of Cambridge, Northern Bank, Santander Bank, Social Innovation Forum, Webster Bank

Just A Start is honored to be part of a network of community partners who share our belief in guaranteed income as a means to stabilize families experiencing poverty, supporting Councillor Sumbul Siddiqui. and the historic Cambridge RISE Guaranteed Income Pilot.

As Geeta Pradhan, President of the Cambridge Community Foundation highlighted, the collective action of the public, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors created transformative support for families in a time of need.

To learn more about our collaborative efforts and the pilot's impact, visit the link below.

Research on Cambridge's guaranteed income pilot shows tangible benefits for cash recipients. Cambridge guaranteed income pilot shows improved financial health, higher employment, better educational outcomes for children Parents, caregivers, and children see tangible benefits with $500 monthly guaranteed income Cambridge, MA | March 27, 2024 – Today, the Cambridge Community Foundation, Cou...

The Financial Empowerment Collaborative has arrived! 🎉

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended this afternoon's Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, celebrating 55 Norfolk Street in Cambridge as the new hub for Just A Start's financial opportunity programs. The Collaborative will offer a range of financial services, including free tax help, financial coaching, and resources on benefits and employment. This project could not have been possible without the support of the Cambridge community and our committed partners!

We were honored to hear from Representative Rep. Mike Connolly, City of Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons, City Manager Huang, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Tom Evans, Financial Empowerment Collaborative Manager Ian Davis, and our financial opportunity programs team.

YouthBuild Just A Start is a full time comprehensive youth development program offering students aged 16 to 24 the opportunity to earn their high school credential and build employment skills.

Sign up for the final information session happening Wednesday, March 20th!

Does YouthBuild Just A Start sound like the right program for you?

Then join us on our LAST in person info session next week March 20th! Go to our inquiry form to register: https://justastart.org/youth-programs/

Just A Start

Exciting new opportunity!

Just A Start is searching for a dedicated Lead Instructor for the Biomedical Careers Program. If you're a passionate teacher who thrives in a collaborative environment and is ready to prepare adults for meaningful careers in a high-demand industry, we want to hear from you.

Apply Now:

LEAD INSTRUCTOR — BIOMEDICAL CAREERS PROGRAM Position Summary Are you a teacher who thrives in a collaborative and inventive environment? Do you emphasize hands-on experience and practical knowledge in your teaching? Are you excited about preparing adults for meaningful careers in a high-demand industry? Just A Start is seekin...

The support of our legislative delegation has an immeasurable impact on the work we are able to do in Cambridge and beyond. During this afternoon's virtual Legislative Briefing, we discussed our ambitious plans for affordable housing, workforce training, and a variety of community initiatives.

Thank you to Senator Will Brownsberger, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Senator Pat Jehlen, Representative Mike Connolly, Representative Marjorie Decker, Representative Steve Owens, Representative Dave Rogers, and members of their staff for joining us. Our shared commitment and alignment of goals is what helps build homes, careers, and futures.

Last week, our Director of Education and Training, Miriam Ortiz, wowed the crowd at the Skillworks Grantee Ceremony with her presentation on our Life Science Careers Advancement Project!

A big thank you to Skillworks for the opportunity to showcase our impactful work in empowering individuals through education and career advancement. Together, we're making a difference!

We are thrilled to announce that our incredible team member, Andrea Chery, has been honored with the "Shooting Star" award at the MACDC!

This prestigious recognition reflects Andrea's dedication, innovation, and stellar contributions to community development.

Join us in congratulating Andrea for this well-deserved achievement!