Just-A-Newsletter  
Creating Opportunity  |  Strengthening Community  |  Improving Lives
DECEMBER 2017  
A Message from the Executive Director
I'd like to express gratitude to a few groups and individuals whose support has been especially strong this year. Thank you to all those who attended our groundbreaking ceremony for 50 York Street in October, and thanks to those who have supported our displaced residents. Importantly, a huge thank you to Sherri Harrison, a former 50 York St. resident who graciously shared her story with all who attended the event. Lastly, thank you to everyone who has already taken advantage of the  Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) Program! The CITC program allows us to offer each donor of $1,000+ a credit on their Massachusetts state taxes equal to 50% of the donation. As the year draws to a close, please consider making a donation to support JAS and taking advantage of this state tax benefit!

Warm regards,

Deborah Ruhe

Recent Events
50 York St. Groundbreaking Ceremony

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YouthBuild in Brazil
 
    This November, in partnership with YouthBuild International, YouthBuild USA and through the generosity of the Fish Family Foundation, 8 youth from Just-A-Start YouthBuild and YouthBuild Boston embarked on the first ever Global YouthBuild Leadership Exchange program. The youth visited Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where there is a YouthBuild Brazil program in partnership with CEDAPS, a public health agency. Every day from early morning until late night youth learned about the history of Rio de Janeiro, worked together in community service, and truly engaged authentically with the people and communities. The American and Brazilian youth learned how much they actually had in common, which made any language barrier disappear shortly after meeting. The youth and JAS staff are so grateful to everyone involved who made the trip so meaningful and unforgettable. Obrigada Brazil! 

50 York St. Groundbreaking Ceremony

      Just-A-Start proudly celebrated the rebuilding of 50 York Street on October 25th. This rebuild is a part of Just-A-Start's larger Consolidation Project, preserving a total of 112 affordable housing units at sites across Cambridge. The new building will replace the former St. Patrick's building lost in the devastating fire a year ago. When completed, 50 York St will continue to provide safe, affordable homes to 16 families. Thanks to all who joined us in breaking ground to rebuild, in anticipation of the "new front door" of 50 York Street. 
50th Anniversary!
    Next year will mark Just-A-Start's 50th anniversary! During this important year, we will be hosting several events to remember JAS's history, celebrate how far we've come, and turn our eyes towards the future.

    In keeping with the tone of celebration, we will be hosting a "Potluck" themed dinner at the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center this winter to honor the JAS community. We will be gathering together recipes from our community, which of course includes you! Please send your favorite family recipes to  allisonraynor@justastart.org. 
Stay tuned for updates.
 BioMed + IT Careers Programs Recruiting
    Our Biomedical Careers Program and brand-new Information Technology Careers Program are both recruiting participants for classes starting in January 2018!  Please share our website (www.JustAStart.org/education-and-training/) with anyone you think might be interested in a free, 9-month training for entry-level jobs in the biomedical or IT fields!