We will all, at some point, encounter hurdles to gaining access and entry, moving up and conquering self-doubt; but on the other side is the capacity to own opportunity and tell our own story
— Stacey Abrams
Network members' voices bring good news and share highlights from around our community
Welcoming the Vital Village Community Food Systems 2024 Fellows 
Boston, MA - Vital Village Networks (VVN) is thrilled to announce the ten emerging leaders that have been selected to participate in the 2024 Community Food Systems Fellowship program!

VVN is continuing its work of growing a network of local leaders to build the capacity of communities to promote community-ownership of local food systems through the third cohort of the Community Food Systems Fellowship.

Please join us in congratulating the 2024 fellows!
Connect with Vital Village Networks at these upcoming events
February Network Connection Meeting (NCM)
Monday, February 12th, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. ET
Time:
5:30-7:30 pm ET (in-person dinner begins at 5:30p and the Meeting starts at 6:00 pm)
In-person Address: 
FGH Building 820 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Check out available resources relevant to children and families
My“Self”in the World Children Storytime 
Attend the My “Self” In the World Children Storytime series with your young children every Thursday at 3:30 p.m. ET via Zoom. Join us for readings, activities, and reflections focused on social-emotional learning.
Boston Breastfeeding Coalition
Free Lactation Support
Events, resources, and opportunities by our partners and community organizations
Children’s Winter Festival
Wednesday, February 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Children’s Winter Festival returns to Boston Common! The festival is free and open to all, featuring winter activities, music, treats, and giveaways. Gather the family and join the fun on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more. 
Tax Preparation Resources
The following resources are offered to individuals whose household incomes do not exceed certain income thresholds to receive free tax guidance and preparation. Click on the links below to learn more about each option and their income requirements.


If you file your taxes on your own, the following tax filing programs are available. 
  • IRS Free: The IRS offers two tax filing programs for people with adjusted gross household incomes of $79,000/year or less.
  • IRS Free File: Free virtual filing of federal tax returns available for people in all states.

IRS Direct File: A pilot program for MA, NH, and several other states that provides free virtual filing of federal and state tax returns real-time online support from IRS customer service representatives, and support in both English and Spanish!
Boston Public School Free Sundays 
On the first and second Sunday of each month, Boston Public School students and up to three family members are offered free access to a range of Boston's amazing cultural institutions! The list includes The Boston Children’s Museum, The New England Aquarium, and many others. 
Free Cooking Class for Families
Monthly
Roxbury Branch of Boston Public Library
Each month, Take Back Kitchen is offering free cooking classes to empower families to take charge of their health and well being. Register here.
Grant Opportunity
Joseph Beam Black Gay Men's Wellness Grant
Deadline: February 15, 2024
The Joseph Beam Black Gay Men’s Wellness Grant provides funding to organizations and collectives supporting the health and well-being of Black gay men, age 50+ living with HIV / AIDS. Learn more.
Job Posting
Director of Community Mediation Programs, UMass Boston
Deadline: February 16, 2024
Responsibilities include directing and overseeing and directing statutory, state-wide Massachusetts Community Mediation Center Grant Program and related initiatives. This is a full time position. 
A Report from Strategies for Children: Governor Healey’s “Gateway to Pre-K Agenda"
According to a report from Strategies for Children, Governor Healey recently unveiled a $56.1 billion budget proposal during a Fiscal State Budget Review, marking a 2.9% increase over last year's budget. Notably, early education and care line items saw a combined $56 million boost, representing a 4% increase in the governor's proposal.
What is “THE GATEWAY TO PRE-K AGENDA”?
Deliver
  • Deliver universal preschool access for 4-year-olds in 26 Gateway Cities by 2026
  • EVERY family of a 4-year-old in all 26 gateway cities will have the opportunity to enroll their child in a high-quality program at low or no cost
Expand
  • Expand eligibility for state financial assistance.
  • Increase Child Care Financial assistance eligibility from 50% to 85% of the state median income to ensure more families can afford care.
  • Continue Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grants to provide funding that allows programs to cover facility costs, improve quality, increase staffing and serve more children.
Build
  • Build system-wide solutions with leaders, providers, educators, and business.
  • Signing an executive order to recognize the essential role child care plays in driving the state’s economy and supporting a wholistic approach to ensuring affordable and high quality child care.
According to a report from Strategies for Children, Governor Healey recently unveiled a $56.1 billion budget proposal during a Fiscal State Budget Review, marking a 2.9% increase over last year's budget. Notably, early education and care line items saw a combined $56 million boost, representing a 4% increase in the governor's proposal.

Here are the key details:
Early education and care line items are set to receive a combined $56 million increase (4%) in Governor Healey's proposal.

Highlights of this allocation include $475 million designated for C3 grants (line items 3000-1045 and 1596-2410), $75 million earmarked for a new childcare affordability line item (1596-2435), and an $18 million boost for the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI, line items 3000-6025 and 1596-2412). These priorities were outlined in Governor Healey's "Gateway to Pre-K Agenda" announced on January 16.

For a detailed breakdown of the Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget, please click here.
Have an event, job opportunity, or resource to share with the network?
Vital Village Networks is a network of residents and agencies committed to maximizing child, family, and community well-being.