Our Voices

Catherine Gillespie, Volunteer for JAS YouthBuild

Posted by lynnsanders on April 18, 2017

“I get to work with students to build relationships. I love the 10-15 minute breaks where I get to have personal conversations with the students to understand their family life and the challenges they are facing.” – Catherine Gillespie Every now and then, JAS is fortunate to have some wonderful volunteers from all walks of

Jorge Carcamo, JAS YouthBuild Graduate and Apprentice Construction Supervisor

Posted by lynnsanders on February 16, 2017

“If you were to ask me what I would change from my past, I would say nothing, because I wouldn’t be the person I am today. It put me in the position to relate and understand many of the students that come to JAS YouthBuild and show that there is a better path.” – Jorge

JAS YouthBuild alumnus Brandon Menjares, speaks with filmmaker Tyler Nakatsu

Posted by lynnsanders on July 8, 2014

Messay Engidawork, JAS Rental Resident and Biomedical Program Graduate

Posted by lynnsanders on November 7, 2016

Messay and her husband have lived at Just-A-Start’s Rindge Tower for seven years. Their home was Ethiopia, filled with warm memories, but little opportunity. Their first step was to come to the U.S. and start a family. With that came dreams and responsibility. Their journey has been productive; Messay graduated from the JAS Biomedical Careers

Antonio Cruz, Housing Services Client

Posted by admin on July 8, 2016

When everyone works together and helps each other out, the world is a beautiful place. Antonio is so proud of his new apartment at 22 Water Street in Cambridge, and was delighted to show off his new place. His affordable, secure apartment – and the happy smile on his face – is a result of

HOUSING SERVICES,

Brenda Comeau, Data and Program Coordinator, Biomedical Careers Program

Posted by admin on July 8, 2016

A career of commitment, caring, and giving back… Brenda Comeau always puts her family first – always has and always will. It’s the way her mother and father raised her, growing up in this area. She also has a very strong work ethic; she has worked since she was 15 years old. She worked through

BIOMEDICAL CAREERS PROGRAM, Data and Program Coordinator,

Kaisha Mercado, JAS YouthBuild Graduate

Posted by lynnsanders on July 8, 2016

Kaisha came to JAS YouthBuild during a turbulent time in her life with hopes of turning things around. Watch her video to learn more. Special Thanks to CCTV for producing this video for JAS as a part of the Nonprofit Resource Exchange program! We couldn’t have made such a great video to share Kaisha’s stoty

Jennifer Ramsey, Just-A-Start Resident

Posted by admin on July 8, 2016

Coming home… Jennifer Ramsey is “born and raised in Central Square, Cambridge”, as she puts it – as were her parents and her grandparents. Now, her son is the 4th generation of her family to be brought up and attend school in this part of Cambridge – the same elementary school Jennifer attended! Jennifer and

Just-A-Start Resident,

John Altidor, Case Manager, JAS YouthBuild and former Career Connection and Summer Youth Enrichment Program Participant

Posted by admin on July 8, 2016

John Altidor’s parents came to Cambridge from Haiti in 1997, when he was 9 years old. John faced challenges adjusting to school in the U.S., and he wasn’t able to do as well as he wanted academically. In eighth grade, a career counselor told John about Just-A-Start’s programs for academic support and career assistance, and

Career Connection Participant, Case Manager, JAS YouthBuild Graduate, Summer Youth Enrichment Program Participant,

Kayla Troche, 2016 Biomedical Careers Program Graduate

Posted by admin on July 8, 2016

Kayla’s passion is science, and she’s also good at math – which made the Just-A-Start Biomedical Careers Program a perfect fit for her. She had started her college education at Framingham State College as a biology major, with the hope of becoming a wildlife biologist. She transferred to Bunker Hill Community College but had to

2016, Biomedical Careers Program Graduate,

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