The Cambridge Life - Spring 2025

Spring 2025

A rat peeks out from beneath a wooden structure.

The City of Cambridge’s Inspectional Services Department offers free exterior rodent control services through its Private Property Rodent Control Program. Since launching in 2021, the program has helped over 900 qualified residential properties by providing professional inspections, treatments, and follow-up visits. Residents also receive education on effective rodent prevention techniques. The City encourages community-wide participation, as sanitation and shared responsibility are essential to keeping neighborhoods rodent-free.

Close-up of multiple graduation caps with orange tassels during an outdoor ceremony.

Bridge to College

The Bridge to College Program, run by the Cambridge Community Learning Center, helps adults prepare for college by offering free evening classes in reading, writing, math, and study skills. Open to Cambridge residents and select nearby communities, the program supports students—especially immigrants and adult learners—in developing the skills and confidence to succeed in higher education.

A safety officer carefully inspects a child safety car seat to ensure it is properly installed in the vehicle.

Safe and Secure Car Seats: Made Easy with Free Inspections and Installs

The Cambridge Police Department offers a free Child Safety Seat Installation and Inspection service to help residents properly install car seats, booster seats, and seatbelts. Trained officers inspect seats, provide guidance, and may supply free car seats to families in need, all to ensure children are traveling safely and legally under Massachusetts law.

An open register book displaying a list of members with names and details written in cursive handwriting, set on a purple textured background.

Uncover Your Family's Past

Discover how the Cambridge Public Library can help you trace your ancestry with free access to historical records, genealogy databases, and expert guidance. Whether you're just starting or diving deeper, explore how to connect with your past through local archives, city directories, and census data.

Visitors observing paintings, with some seated on brown leather benches and others standing close to the artworks.

Save on Museums- Reserve a Pass

The Cambridge Public Library’s Museum Pass Program makes cultural exploration more affordable for residents by offering free or discounted admission to 11 museums and cultural attractions. Learn how to reserve a pass and enjoy hands-on learning, art, history, and more—thanks to your library card.

Person holding a vial of water against a freshwater pH color chart to test the water.

Safe, Clean Water

Cambridge’s Water Department goes above and beyond to deliver clean, safe, and great-tasting water. Through rigorous daily testing, modern technology, and public education—including free lead and copper testing kits for residents—the City ensures water quality meets the highest standards and exceeds expectations.

A person reviews energy bills while holding a phone next to a window.

Save Energy, Save Money- Get Support

The City of Cambridge offers free, one-on-one help to residents looking to lower their energy bills. Through the Cambridge Energy Helpline (617-430-6230), callers get connected to a trained adviser who can explain cost-saving programs, from fuel assistance and discount utility rates to solar credits and no-cost energy assessments. Support is available to renters, homeowners, and landlords alike—regardless of building type.

Person composting kitchen waste in a large wooden bin at a community garden.

Turn Food Waste Into Clean Energy

Cambridge’s composting program transforms food scraps into clean energy and fertilizer through an innovative digestion process. By reducing landfill waste, lowering costs, supporting climate goals, and even decreasing rodent activity, composting is helping build a healthier, more sustainable Cambridge—one banana peel at a time.

Exterior view of a three-story residential building with multiple windows and two entrances, each marked by construction warnings and surrounded by orange cones. A bicycle is parked on the street in front of the building.

Leverage City’s Free Housing Programs

The City of Cambridge offers a range of free housing programs to help residents with housing stability and homeownership. Services include move-in and eviction prevention assistance, down payment and closing cost support for first-time homebuyers, and a comprehensive four-week First-Time Homebuyer Workshop open to anyone interested in learning about the homebuying process. Whether you’re seeking financial support or looking to purchase your first home, the City is here to help.

A family of five, a mother and four children, sit closely together on a sofa, engaged in reading books. The room appears cozy, illuminated by natural light.

Connect with New Parents Through Baby University

Baby University (Baby U) is a free 14-week program that supports Cambridge families with children age 0–3. Through Saturday workshops, one-on-one visits, and community connections, Baby U helps parents build stronger relationships with their children—and each other—while offering long-term support through the Baby U Alumni Association.

How can we help?

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