JUNE 2023

What's Happening at Rindge Commons

On May 18th, a Topping Off ceremony was held at the Economic Mobility Hub, where the final beam was put into place marking a major project milestone for the new, 70,000 square-foot, mixed-use facility that will bring affordable housing, workforce training and childcare under one roof to comprehensively serve the community.


Featured speakers included Peter Munkenbeck, Board Chair - Just A Start, Carl Nagy-Koechlin, Executive Director - Just A Start and Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui - City of Cambridge.


Just A Start launched a $4.25 million campaign to provide needed funding for Rindge

Commons. We welcome Catherine Hinds Company in honor of Catherine E. Hinds,

Jennie Weiner and Jeremiah Jordan and the

Roy A. Hunt Foundation to join many leadership donors to support the Economic Mobility Hub at Rindge Commons. To date, we have raised $3.9 million, 92% towards the goal!


Will you help us reach the goal by giving towards the remaining $351,000? You can double your impact with all contributions to the campaign matched dollar-to-dollar through an anonymous donor challenge grant. Donate HERE and contact Carmen Chan, Director of Philanthropy at CarmenChan@justastart.org with any questions.

Check out the new Just A Start video from Comcast

Charlie Parker Retires after 30 Year Career

Dedicated to Youth

On May 19, friends, staff and current and former students all gathered in Danehy Park to celebrate Charlie Parker and his retirement from YouthBuild Just A Start after three decades of service as a Vocational Instructor. 


Charlie joined Just A Start in 1994 and taught students about construction, time management, and teamwork. He nurtured and respected them. He was – and is – a role model. Charlie Parker is Cambridge at its best: inclusive, passionate, caring, generous and full of life. The countless young people that have had the privilege of being under his wing would agree. 


Photo courtesy of Santosh Rimal

Addgenies Give Back to Support Job Training and Affordable Housing

Employer partner Addgene hosted a fundraising walk for Just A Start in early June to support the Economic Mobility Hub at Rindge Commons. It was a beautiful day and turnout, and donations have nearly reached $2,000 to date.


7 Just A Start graduates have embarked on careers at Addgene, and we are grateful for the partnership and support in expanding our biomedical job training program and affordable housing.

We Are Grateful - May Funders

Mifflin Memorial Foundation

State Senator Sal DiDomenico

Our mission is to promote equity by creating access to stable housing and building pathways to economic opportunity. 
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