Just A Start’s mission has become defined and directed as a result of years of implementing a community development process focused on the following areas of need:

1) Upgrading and expanding educational competencies for youth and adults that are economically disadvantaged and unable to afford market rate training, education, and job preparation programs.

2) Providing opportunities for youth and adults to improve their earning power by participating in work experience, life skills and career counseling, and work experience training programs.

3) Seeking job and school placements that provide opportunities for career growth and increased earning power.

4) Providing affordable nonprofit rental and homeownership housing for working families and individuals of low to moderate income.

5) Securing long term affordability in nonprofit developed rental and homeownership housing.

6) Stabilizing existing occupied rental and homeownership housing for current residents in ways that minimize economic gentrification and homelessness.

7) Developing jobs through our housing programs and the services of Just A Start Corporation.

8) Involving the community in advisory, advocacy, volunteer, and self-help roles through service, mentoring, tutoring, and special projects.

9) Providing competent staff services in administration, management, program development, technical assistance, and all housing and service programs.

10) Developing and securing program funding and housing financing from multiple public, private charitable, private sector, and community resources.

11) Developing and achieving program goals and durable outcomes in all Just A Start program components each year.
 

HOUSING PROGRAMS

Home Improvement and Affordable Housing Stabilization

Home Improvement Program:  Provides up to $30,000 at 0-3% interest rate for unit rehab.  Also provides assistance in preparing plans and specifications, and bidding on and monitoring the renovation.  Applications accepted at all times.  Applicants must be owner-occupants of a 1-4 unit residential property in Cambridge whose income is at or below 80% of the median income.  Contact Joe Youngworth at (617) 494-0444 ext 316 or Alan LaBella at (617) 494-0444 ext 314.  432 Columbia St. , Cambridge.

Get the Lead Out Program:  Provides low interest loans for lead removal.  Applicants accepted at all times.  Must be Cambridge or Arlington owner-occupants of a 1-4 unit residential property whose income is at or below $68,900 for 1-2 member families and below $78,300 for 3+ member families.  Contact Joe Youngworth at (617) 494-0444 ext 316 or Alan LaBella at (617) 494-0444 ext 314.  432 Columbia St. , Cambridge.

Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency Home Improvement Loan:  Provides low interest loans for home improvement.  Applicants accepted at all times.  Must be Cambridge or Arlington owner-occupants of a 1-4 unit residential property whose income is at or below $68,900 for 1-2 member families and below $78,300 for 3+ member families.  Contact Joe Youngworth at (617) 494-0444 ext 316 or Alan LaBella at (617) 494-0444 ext 314.  432 Columbia St. , Cambridge.

Second Chance Program:  5.5% interest rate program for refinancing of existing mortages, plus rehab.  Applicants accepted at all times.  Applicant must have credit history problems, and have 1-2 unit owner-occupied residential unit Cambridge property with income at or below 120% of median.  Contact Joe Youngworth at (617) 494-0444 ext 316 or Alan LaBella at (617) 494-0444 ext 314.  432 Columbia St. , Cambridge.

Mediation for Results:  Provides conflict resolution, housing stabilization, and legal education for landlords and tenants.  Applicants accepted at any time from Cambridge and MetroNorth Service Area.  Contact Peter Shapiro at (617) 494-0444 ext 317 or Don Meglio at (617) 494-0444 ext 319 or Ashok Panikkar at (781) 322-9955.  432 Columbia St., Cambridge.
 

Affordable Housing Development

Rental Housing Development:  JAS develops affordable rental housing for households earning less than 80% of median.  Through direct ownership by JAS or through a subsidiary corporation or entity, JAS owns 503 affordable apartments in Cambridge at 17 different sites.  Applications for housing are available through two property management companies.  Please direct inquiries about 402 Rindge Avenue to S.C. Management Company at 617-876-5855.  Please direct inquiries about all other JAS rental housing to L.E. Smith Management Company at 617-661-7190.

Homeownership Development:  JAS develops homes for sale to first time homebuyers earning less than 80% of the median income.  These affordable units are usually developed as condominiums in scattered site developments of 4-12 units.  All units include an Affordable Housing Agreement allowing the City of Cambridge to repurchase the units at time of sale for a controlled resale price.  Please contact Lauren Curry at 617-494-0444 x312 for inquiries about any upcoming homeownership opportunities.
 

Transitional Housing

Just A Start House:  A structured living program for pregnant or parenting teen  mothers, ages 13-19, and their infants.  Enrollment year-round.  To apply, teen should contact their DTA or DSS worker for referral to JAS House, and call JAS House re: HUD slot.  Program contact person:  Emma Deese-Owens, 776-8353, 16 Butler Drive, Somerville.
 
 

EDUCATION, TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT AND HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS
 

Occupational Skills Training

Business BASICS Program (Business Applied Skills Including Customer Service.):  BASICS is a twelve week/240 hour intensive course of study for TAFDC recipients or low income individuals from Cambridge, Boston and MetroNorth.  Graduates earn up to 10 college credits and are qualified to enter jobs in the fields of secretarial sciences, customer service and office support.  Staff also provides tutoring, academic support, case management and job placement services.  Program contact:  Susan Mills at 494-0444 x 315.  Services provided at 142 Cambridge St., Charlestown and Bunker Hill Community College.

Cambridge Biomedical Careers Program:  This 9-month training program (Sept. –  May) prepares participants for entry-level jobs in the biotech industry.  Training includes chemistry, biology, medical terminology, computers, and lab skills.  18 Bunker Hill Community College credits upon completion.  Applicants accepted June through August.  Eligibility requirements:  GED or HS diploma, no residency requirements (Cambridge, Boston and MetroNorth are preferred areas), income eligible, age 18+, good reading and math skills.  Program contact :  Harriet Sandberg at 242-0562 x 15.  Services provided at 142 Cambridge St., Charlestown and Bunker Hill Community College.
 
 

Welfare to Work Assistance

The Job Connection:  This Supported Work Program helps participants prepare for, find, and keep good jobs through training in resume preparation, job search, job retention, interviewing, customer service, ESL. Training is for 2-12 weeks, 30 hours/ week, followed by host worksite placement with counselor support.  Applications accepted year-round.  Must be Cambridge or Metro North TAFDC recipient or former TAFDC recipient who has applied for a TAFDC extension.  Program contact:  Lucille Persing at 242-0562 x 18.  Services provided at 142 Cambridge St., Charlestown.
 

Youth Employment/School to Career/In-School Youth

Cambridge TeenWork:  A free private-sector job placement program that helps carefully prescreened Cambridge high school students secure after-school and summer jobs in settings where they do not traditionally have access.  Staff provide employment readiness training, job matching, and supportive counseling throughout.  Program contact: Susan Mills at 494-0444 x 315.  432 Columbia St., Cambridge.

Just A Start Summer Program:  A work experience/enrichment program which operates for 6 weeks in July and August, 25 hours per week.  Youth spend half time in academic enrichment and life skills, half on housing rehabilitation/beautification crews providing community services to the City of Cambridge.  Application is through the Mayor’s Summer Youth Program, and through Employment Resources, Inc.  Program operates at Cambridge Rindge & Latin School.  Eligibility:  Cambridge youth ages 14-18, and out-of-school Cambridge/MetroNorth youth ages 16-21.  Program contact person:  Van Spanos, 494-0444 x 305, 432 Columbia St., Cambridge.
 

Youth Development

Futures for Young Parents:  A free GED, vocational awareness, life goals and counseling program for pregnant and parenting teens on TAFDC.  Applications and enrollments accepted year round. Eligibility requirements: at least 6 months pregnant or parenting, or both; 15-22 years old from Cambridge and MetroNorth Area; on TAFDC.  Program contact person:  Aurelia Alamariu, 623-6667.  Services provided at 16R Butler Dr., Somerville.

YouthBuild Just A Start:  An AmeriCorps education, training and service program.  Out of school youth spend half their time in education, counseling, and leadership development activities leading to a high school diploma, and half their time providing housing renovation and other community service.  Large focus on career development, life skills, and employability, with intensive follow-up to support graduates in the transition to employment, vocational training, or college.  Graduates may earn an AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,363.  Applications accepted May through September; program runs from October through August.  Applicants must be 17-24, HS dropouts, from Cambridge, MetroNorth or some Boston neighborhoods, and income-eligible. Program contact person: Sara Fass at 494-0444 x 327. Services provided at 432 Columbia St., Cambridge.