"This is something I wanted to do to get myself off. I guess I'm helping them kick me off," Ronnet says.

Ronnet hopes to find a position as a corrections officer when she graduates from YouthBuild next year. She then intends to work for at least one year while saving money for college so she can become a lab technician.

The year-long program combines high-school education and community service and is open to 17-to 24-year-old residents of Boston, Cambridge and Somerville. If students complete 900 hours of community service through the program, they receive a $2,300 scholarship, redeemable for at any federally accredited educational institution or training program.

For Scarlette, a 21-year-old Charlestown resident and TAFDC recipient with an 11-month-old child, self-sufficiency is also a motivation.

She is in a nurses' aide training course at Bunker Hill Community College and is working nights. She is trying to obtain nighttime childcare through the DTA, and says she fears she will be forced to quit her job otherwise.

But she approves of the time limits.

"I believe that in two years you should be able to get back on your feet," she explains.

Debbie, 21, lives in a shelter with her two children, ages two years and three months. She was recently approved for Section 8 housing assistance and is looking for a permanent residence. She has been on TAFDC for two years and will be leaving the rolls soon of her own accord.

Debbie says she teaches preschoolers at the Peabody House in Somerville. She will soon be increasing her weekly hours from 29 to 40, but says she looks forward to the change.

"I like to work so it doesn't bother me," she says.

Debbie is fortunate enough to have the added perk of free childcare, as both of her children come to work with her every day.

She aspires to manage a daycare center someday.

Tough Love

Back in the Just-a-Start office, a student approaches Fass and asks her to borrow two dollars. "You are nickel-and-diming me to death!" Fass declares in good-natured annoyance as she hands the student the last dollar bill from her wallet.

In the next room, Bermudez overseas Ronnet and her classmates as they take a practice high school equivalency test. Ronnet's daughter Sadida, 3, looks on.