APRIL 2024

Celebrating Success

The Inaugural Families Moving Forward Graduation

We're delighted to celebrate the success of our inaugural Families Moving Forward cohort, comprising 25 remarkable mothers! This three-year, no cost financial opportunity pilot program connected families with personal mentors and supportive networks to achieve goals in health, housing, finances, education, and work.

On Tuesday, April 23^rd, we will host a virtual convening to discuss how with the support of six community organizations, this cohort of women achieved incredible success while simultaneously tackling life’s toughest challenges. To RSVP, click here.

We also invite you to read our recently published Program Evaluation! 

Inaugural cohort graduates | Photo credit: Lee-Daniel Tran Photography

The Financial Empowerment Collaborative is Here!

The new Financial Empowerment Collaborative at 55 Norfolk Street in Cambridge had its grand opening last month and we were happy to be joined by many of our supporters and community partners! This newly renovated, 920 square-foot storefront space near Central Square home to Just A Start’s financial opportunity programs. Services include free tax-help, financial coaching, and career coaching. 

We were honored to be joined by Representative Mike Connolly, City of Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons, Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Tom Evans, and many of our supporters.

55 Norfolk Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony | Photo Credit: Elizabeth Pierre

Photo courtesy of Dellbrook|JKS

We're thrilled to announce that the transition to Rindge Commons has officially kicked off! Following the attainment of our Certificate of Occupancy, residents have begun moving into their brand-new affordable apartments. But that's not all - this past weekend, both our YouthBuild and Workforce Development programs successfully made the big move too! We hope to be fully transitioned this summer.

This marks a historic moment for us, and we couldn't be more thrilled to embark on this exciting journey together. Stay tuned for more updates as we settle into our new home at 430 Rindge Ave.

In addition to our move, we're delighted to announce that, thanks to the advocacy efforts of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, the Economic Mobility Hub at Rindge Commons has been awarded $250,000 in federal earmark funding. To learn more, click here.

We are fortunate to have a multitude of exceptional individuals on the Just A Start team. Recently, we've had the pleasure of welcoming five new additions to our staff, each bringing with them a profound commitment to community engagement and a wealth of knowledge in their respective fields. We cannot wait to see the impact they will continue to have on the Greater Boston community. 

We Are Grateful - Recent Funders

Albert O. Wilson Foundation

Cambridge Redevelopment Authority

The Charlotte Foundation