A year ago, as the pandemic closed in on us, we at Just-A-Start packed up what we needed for what we thought was a 4 to 6 week “shelter in place” period.
However, the pandemic’s real impact quickly became clear. It also became clear that Just-A-Start had the responsibility, wherewithal, and privilege to be part of the solution. As daunted as we were by what lay ahead, we knew we had to meet the growing and urgent needs in our community. Furthermore, we knew we had the expertise, resources, partnerships, and track record to do so.
As our Board chair, Peter Munkenbeck, shared in an email to staff at that time:
I am reminded of how central the role of a community development corporation is in building and keeping together the parts of the community most quickly and adversely impacted by disaster… I hope you can feel the surge of satisfaction that comes with undeniable peak usefulness to members of our society that are strengthened by your efforts.
From grocery and mask deliveries to emergency financial assistance, over the past year we’ve discovered new ways to live out our “peak usefulness” – as well as continuing to run all of our programs with your support. One year in, the numbers below tell an important part of that story.
