THE RESOURCE
OCTOBER 2026
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started”
Table of Contents
Healthy Food Choice/Hypertension Workshop: October 28
In collaboration with Just A Start Resident Services, the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) unit of the Cambridge Public Health Department is offering a workshop on how to reduce your risk of high blood pressure or hypertension on Wednesday, October 28 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at 243 Broadway.
Join the HEAL unit to learn how to reduce your risk of hypertension as professionals will be providing blood pressure readings on the spot. One (1) electric hot pot, one (1) cordless electric kettle, and one (1) rice cooker will be offered as fun prizes. Participants will also have the chance to win two $50 and four $25 gift cards as door prizes. In addition to free pizza, English and Spanish interpretation will be available. For reservations, please call or text Pierre at 617-341-8164.
Annual Thanksgiving Dinner: Thursday, November 19
This year, Just A Start Annual Resident Thanksgiving Dinner is on Thursday, November 19 from 5pm to 7pm at 243 Broadway. Residents with family members and friends are cordially invited to share this exceptional moment with us and get closer as a community, as we continue to be appreciative and grateful for the life that we are so lucky to have. Let’s enjoy together Merengue Restaurant’s delicious cooking and some delightful music from our resident DJ, Alan Moore, and four $50 gift cards will be offered as door prizes. To make sure we have enough food for everyone, please make reservations by calling or texting Pierre at 617-341-8164.
Annual Resident Holiday Dinner: Thursday, December 17
Please Save the Date! Just A Start Annual Resident Holiday Dinner is on Thursday, December 17 from 5pm to 7pm at 243 Broadway. Merengue Restaurant will once again be the caterer while our resident DJ, Alan Moore, will entertain us with some delightful music in the background. Five (5) $50 gift cards will be offered as door prizes. To make sure we have enough food for everyone, make reservations now by calling or texting Pierre at 617-341-8164.
Cambridge Response to Federal Changes Affecting SNAP & MassHealth Benefits
The City of Cambridge launched a coordinated response to rapidly evolving federal changes affecting SNAP and MassHealth benefits. Cambridge is already experiencing significant negative impacts from the new federal SNAP and Medicaid regulations, which changed work requirements for recipients and narrowed eligibility for immigrants. Beginning January 2027, new work requirements and six-month renewal cycles for MassHealth are expected to take effect.
Narrowed immigrant eligibility will start in October 2026. Many Cambridge residents could lose coverage. To help residents navigate these federal changes, the City and CEOC are launching a new, regularly updated website dedicated to providing clear, accessible information and step-by-step guidance if residents have lost or are worried about losing their SNAP benefits or MassHealth coverage. With staff speaking 10 languages and having access to remote interpreters, by appointments and walk-ins, CEOC will continue to serve as a primary resource for SNAP, MassHealth, and other benefits. For more information, contact CEOC at 617-868-2900.
Cambridge Preschool Program Application Opens October 1st
The Cambridge Office of Early Childhood announced that applications to the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP) for the 2027-2028 school year will be accepted October 1 through November 13! Cambridge children who will turn 3 or 4 years old by August 31, 2027, are eligible to apply. Families apply to CPP through a single, centralized online application. They can choose from preschool programs offered by Cambridge Public Schools (CPS), the Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP), and select community-based preschool and family childcare providers. CPP covers the cost of the school-day, school-year portion of preschool programs. Depending on a family’s income, there may be additional costs for programs that provide full-day, full-year (including summer) preschool. Beginning October 1, the application will be available at earlychildhoodcambridge.org/cpp/. For questions and support, contact the Cambridge Office of Early Childhood at cpp@cpsd.us or 617-349-1798.
Council on Aging Classes Return to Russell Youth & Community Center
On September 17, Council on Aging programming returned to the Russell Youth and Community Center (680 Huron Ave.). Classes will be offered on Thursday and Friday mornings through Friday, May 28. Cambridge residents ages 60 and older can register for Tai Chi, Portrait Drawing, Dance, Yoga, and a Strong and Stretched exercise class. Older adults are also welcome to join a drop-in Knitting Group and to socialize in the building’s 2nd Floor Common Area during programming hours. Registration is required. For more information about programs and events, visit cambridgema.gov/CouncilonAging. To register, call the Council on Aging at 617-349-6220.
Share Your Anonymous Feedback with Just A Start
Help us improve. Share your compliments or concerns through our anonymous Resident Feedback Form. Your comments go directly to Just A Start and are confidential. Maloney Management staff will not have any access to your comments. Feedback can be about maintenance, staff interactions, recertification, or other resident related concerns.
Submit anytime at www.justastart.org/residentfeedbackform.
Pierre’s Office is open at 243 Broadway on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays!
- Fill out the Resident Anonymous Feedback Form anytime at justastart.org/residentfeedbackform. Your confidential feedback is being collected through Just A Start and not Maloney management. Feedback will only be seen by Just A Start.
- For free, confidential financial coaching, please make your request at justastart.tfaforms.net/f/FinoppIntake.
- Contact Pierre for assistance and resources Mon-Fri, between 8-4 at 617-341-8164 or email pierrefilsaime@justastart.org