The 10th annual Cambridge First Day celebrated vital services and programs for homeless individuals and families in the community.
The June 11 event at MIT honored CASPAR Inc.'s FirstStep Street Outreach Program; On the Rise Inc.; the Salvation Army's "Our Place" Children's Center; and Shelter Inc.'s Cambridge shelter.
Representatives of each organization received framed awards from Cambridge City Manager Robert W. Healy and checks for $1,000 from MIT presented by Chancellor Phillip Clay.
"I am particularly grateful that our MIT community has such a close relationship with the four organizations we are honoring today," Clay said at the ceremony. "We have been able to provide volunteer help, financial assistance, technical resources, facility use, and clothing and food from campus drives. This support will continue."
Established in 1993 by President Charles M. Vest, Cambridge First Day provides an opportunity for MIT to express its appreciation to the Cambridge community for the vital partnerships that exist among MIT and local organizations, public officials and residents of Cambridge.
In 1993, MIT honored Cambridge businesses with whom the Institute has been working for 50 years or more; in 1994, it recognized minority-owned and women-owned businesses; in 1995, small businesses; in 1996, biotechnology companies; in 1997, entrepreneurship; in 1998, culinary arts; in 1999, architecture; in 2000, the arts; and in 2001, community building.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on July 17, 2002.
