Just A Start House

Cause Area

  • Advocacy & Human Rights
  • Children & Youth
  • Community
  • Homeless & Housing
  • Women

Location

114 Temple StreetSomerville, MA 02145 United States
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Organization Information

Mission Statement

Just A Start House recognizes that the lack of safe, affordable housing and adequate support systems for young families has led to the increasing rate of homelessness. In our effort to prevent and eliminate homelessness and empower young families, we endeavor to:

  • Provide a safe and supportive refuge from homelessness and abuse;
  • Help young women gain the knowledge and life skills they need to live independently and to advocate on their own behalf;
  • Encourage mothers to enhance the self-esteem and security necessary for the positive nurturance of children;
  • Value human dignity; increase the respect and appreciation for the uniqueness of each individual; maintain a commitment to address the issues of oppression, including racism, classism, sexism, and homophobia;
  • Create an environment, which extends beyond the shelter for young families as they transition into permanent housing.

Just A Start House is committed to maintaining an interracial and intergenerational community of residents, volunteers and staff. We strongly believe that mutual learning in a creative and loving environment can bring hope and healing to our community.

Description

The purpose of Just A Start House is to provide a safe, comfortable place for homeless, pregnant and parenting teens and their children. Each woman who comes to JASH has unique talents, abilities, and needs. We encourage women to respect and be sensitive to each other's differences. The goal of JASH is to help teen mother's develop skills, knowledge and the ability to live independently. All residents, children and staff can learn from each other.

Reviews

Would you recommend Just A Start House?
1 review Write a review
by Amelia M. (2017-04-19 18:23:34.0)
I was a teen in the just a start house in 2004with my 3 year old son. These volunteers and the start helped me to transition into living in my own apartment and continuing school providing me with resources needed to do so. I was able to live a rent controlled apartment and graduate high school with honors. I was able to go on to collage and graduate with a nursing degree. Just a start house believed in my potential and helped to guide me in the right direction and helped me learn the skills to becoming a good parent at a young age. Society threw me away because of my choice to parent at a young age but just a start house helped me pursue my dreams. I was able to buy my first home last year and enter into a graduate degree program. If it were not for JAS, I don't think I would have been able to live up to my potential. So thank you JAS employees and volunteers. Without you guys doing the great work you do, young woman could not be as empowered, supported and guided. It just takes one
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