OCTOBER 2023

Celebrating Career Program Graduates!

In September, 35 students in Just A Start’s Career Connect Program graduated at ceremonies held at the Capital One Cafe and Sanofi. Career Connect, a nine-month, tuition-free, education and training program, trains adults for sustainable life sciences or information technology careers to local, high-demand employment opportunities. These programs provide education and training on workforce skills aligned with industry needs, the development of crucial soft skills and support services that address barriers to education, employment and career advancement.

Graduates of the program typically increase their annual income by over $20,000 through employment at local companies such as Beth Israel Lahey Health, Mass General Brigham, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Toast, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, Medford Public Schools, uniQure, Takeda and Sanofi. Congratulations, graduates! Click HERE to read more.

2023 IT and Bio Graduates | Photo Credit: Marven Toussaint

What's Happening at Rindge Commons

There has been exciting progress at the Rindge Commons site over the last month. Overall the project is more than two thirds complete with the residential units getting drywalled along with cabinets and flooring in place. The exterior has been prepared for the siding to get started. The building equipment including ERVs and elevators are on site and getting installed. We are preparing for permanent power and gas to be delivered to the building. 

We welcome Boston BioProducts and Callahan Construction Managers to join many leadership donors to support the Economic Mobility Hub at Rindge Commons. To date, we have raised over $4 million, 95% towards the goal!

Last Dollar In Challenge and Double your Impact! An anonymous donor has offered a challenge grant of $200,000 for any donations towards the capital campaign. This means your gift will be matched dollar-to-dollar.  Donate HERE and contact Carmen Chan, Director of Philanthropy at CarmenChan@justastart.org with any questions.

YouthBuild Celebrates 17 Graduates!

17 students in the YouthBuild Just A Start program graduated at a ceremony held at the Cambridge Public Library at the end of August. The job skills and leadership development program for youth serves students aged 16 to 24, offering youth the opportunity to earn their high school credential and build employment skills in Construction or Retail. 

In his remarks at the graduation ceremony, Mr. Velez said, “Just over a year ago I never would have volunteered to speak in front of an auditorium full of people. They (YouthBuild Staff) helped me get motivated instead of just hanging around.” Mr. Velez earned both his Retail Industry Fundamentals (National Retail Federation) and Pre-Apprenticeship Certification Training (Home Builders Institute) certifications. Click HERE to read more.

Class of 2023 graduates throwing their caps in celebration | Photo Credit: Lee-Daniel Tran

We Are Grateful - September Funders

Boston BioProducts

Callahan Construction Managers

Eversource

MIT

Did you know you can get a rebate for your donation to Just A Start?

If you make a donation of $1,000 or more to Just A Start, you're entitled to the Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC), which provides a 50% refundable state tax credit. Give an impactful gift to the Cambridge community that pays you back! Your generous gifts allow Just A Start to build affordable housing, create career pathways for adults and youths, and financial counseling to many families. We have limited CITC credits left for 2023. Please contact giving@justastart.org if you have any questions.