Last night, East Cambridge Savings Bank was honored to support the Just-A-Start 50th Anniversary Gala celebrating half a century of the organization’s successes in building and protecting affordable housing in Cambridge. Nearly 20 representatives from the Bank attended the event which was both a celebration of Just-A-Start’s accomplishments over 50 years and a fundraiser to support future projects.
Founded in 1968 as a community revitalization and youth employment program for young people in Cambridge’s Wellington-Harrington neighborhood, Just-A-Start grew into an officially incorporated organizations in 1971. Since its founding, Just-A-Start has developed and protected hundreds of units of housing Cambridge resulting a secure and stable living situation for thousands of Cambridge residents. In addition to building and preserving affordable housing units, Just-A-Start facilitates several education and training programs including a highly successful Biomedical Careers Program which prepares low and moderate-income residents for careers in biotechnology, life sciences, and research fields. This program helps Cambridge residents attain good paying, quality jobs with local companies which meets Just-A-Starts goal of strengthening economic security for Cambridge residents.
The 50th anniversary gala was the culmination of a series of events celebrating Just-A-Start’s decades of service to the community. The organization also hosted a “Taste of Home” event last March which featured food prepared by many members of the Just-A-Start community, a panel discussion on affordable housing in Cambridge, and a fall festival to celebrate both the history and future of Just-A-Start. The Bank was proud to be able to host this fall festival in our Inman Square Banking Center parking lot.