Life Science Cares awards grants to Cambridge nonprofits

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Life Science Cares Boston, a local nonprofit, has awarded BioBuilder, CASPAR, Food for Free and Just-A-Start grants to support each organization’s work to support people in need.

The Cambridge-based nonprofits are four of 27 social service organizations to receive a collective $755,000 in grants in 2020, bringing Life Science Cares’ four-year giving total to more than $3.8 million.

This year’s grant distribution culminates another year of expansion and community impact. In addition to its annual grants program, Life Science Cares has led a COVID-19 relief effort since March to help Greater Boston neighbors facing challenges during the health crisis, rallying 600 area biopharma executives and employees to raise $1.8 million granted to organizations that provide food, shelter and medical care.

“The Life Science Cares model is unique in that our corporate members’ support extends well beyond financial contributions to include volunteer engagement, strategic support and in-kind donations of goods or services,” said Sarah MacDonald, executive director for Life Science Cares. “This year, more than ever, it is an honor to invest in our partners working tirelessly to provide food, housing, education and employment to our neighbors in need.”

Each of Life Science Cares’ partnerships look different, but all are aimed at fighting poverty. Partners who address basic human needs, such as food and shelter, are working with homeless populations and those living month-to-month and struggling to pay for groceries, bills and rent. Partners who provide educational programs serve “underrepresented” and “underserved” youth in schools and after-school programs. Partners who focus on economic sustainability work with young adults, immigrants and sometimes mid-career individuals who are looking for better opportunities in the workforce, often seeking to switch from gig economy jobs to more stable salaried positions.

“Life Science Cares’ support has made it possible for Food For Free to expand and adapt our programs to meet the challenges of this year,” said Sasha Purpura, executive director of Food For Free, a food rescue and relief organization that has reportedly delivered groceries to 2,000 households a week during the COVID-19 health crisis. “As hunger in our community has expanded, Food For Free has been able to respond — in large part because of Life Science Cares steady support.”

BioBuilder aims to bring tomorrow’s science into today’s classrooms, and to increase interest, understanding and engagement in STEM fields through a comprehensive approach to the emerging field of synthetic biology.

“We’re grateful that the funds from Life Science Cares supported our pivot to online learning this spring and will now help to support the commitment we made to provide under-resourced classrooms access to our online high school and middle school programs at no cost,” said Natalie Kuldell, BioBuilder founder and executive director.

Cambridge and Somerville Programs for Addiction Recovery is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families who have been affected by substance use disorder and related issues, such as homelessness or mental illness. The organization’s FirstStep street outreach program delivers services in the form of meals, clothing and survival gear to unsheltered Cambridge residents. The program team aims to build trusting relationships and break down the stigma associated with addiction and homelessness while helping people find their path to recovery.

“Our CASPAR homeless services couldn't have a better partner than Life Science Cares,” said Julia Londergan, CASPAR director of development. “Not only did they fund — for a second straight year — our life-saving Street Outreach van, but they also stepped up at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and then again, a few months into it, with emergency assistance to help keep our staff and our homeless neighbors safe and healthy.”

Just-A-Start is a community development corporation dedicated to building the housing security and economic stability of low- to moderate-income people in Cambridge and nearby communities. Through its programs, JAS aims to provide and preserve affordable housing, offer education and workforce training for youth and adults, and build community engagement. Life Science Cares’ grant can support JAS’s biomedical and information technology careers programs, enabling low-income adults to gain the training needed to enter a sustainable career pathway in the life science or IT fields.

“We’re grateful to have Life Science Cares’ continued support as we work to build pathways to economic opportunity,” said Carl Nagy-Koechlin, Just-A-Start’s executive director. “Together, we can help more people in our communities further their education, embark on pathways to sustainable careers and increase their economic mobility.”