Who We Are
Our Mission, Vision, and History
Creating pathways to possibilities since 1968
We’re results-focused.
We’re dedicated to our communities.
We approach our work with compassion.
We’re creative problem solvers.
We believe in the power of partnerships.
Our Mission and Commitment
Our mission is to promote equity by creating access to stable housing and building pathways to economic opportunity.
Our vision is an equitable community where everyone can secure a solid economic foundation.
We believe that access to stable housing and sustainable careers are the essential building blocks of equitable communities. For more than 50 years, we’ve focused on meeting the fundamental needs of individuals and families who have been systemically denied opportunities to realize their full potential.
Our programs include affordable housing, education and job training, and comprehensive support services, spanning Cambridge and beyond. We have developed and currently maintain 600 affordable apartments, and we offer financial and technical support to help local families to stabilize their housing. We also prepare individuals of all ages and circumstances with the skills and knowledge they need to secure fulfilling careers, leveraging their talents to achieve economic mobility and strengthen the region’s workforce.
Our History
Just A Start was founded in 1968 by Gordon Gottsche as a youth training and community revitalization program in Cambridge’s Welligton-Harrington neighborhood.