Village Voices
Network members' voices bring good news and share highlights from
around our community. 
Women's History Month Events and Celebrations
March is  Women's History Month ! Here's a list of events this month honoring and supporting women in the community. In addition to the month, March 8th is International Women's Day!
Celebrations, events, resources, and updates can be found as you read through the Newsletter.
In this blog post, AmeriCorps VISTA Community Mobilization Coordinator, Lucas Sensius, wrote about the January 2020 Visioning event and 2019 awardees. We started the night by celebrating our amazing leaders, strong partners, and innovative accomplishments and then set our sights on the future to dream where we want to go next.
Episode 7 of In the Arena with NOW : Community Data into Action: An African American Breastfeeding Blueprint.
Andrea Serano,CLC & IBCLC, of Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE) , shares ROSE's multi-pronged approach to transforming the breastfeeding landscape to be more accessible, inclusive, culturally relevant and equitable.

Also check out highlights from ROSE’s new report,  Saving Tomorrow Today: An African American Breastfeeding Blueprint .

Join us for this Mental Health committee meeting as we build upon past May Mental Health Awareness efforts and explore how social-emotional and mental health awareness efforts can be further incorporated across the Vital Village Network. 

Date:  Monday, March 9th
Time: 5:30-7:30pm
In-Person:  Vine St. Community Center  (Remote Option Available, indicate on RSVP)

RSVP here and  complete this form to receive more updates on the first meeting and ongoing efforts!
Last month, we had our first Courageous Conversation of 2020, with Co-Host ABCD Health Services and Facilitator Judith Scott . Sexual health, gender identity, and sexuality were explored through peer conversations. Keep your eyes open for the next Courageous Conversation! If you have an idea about a future Courageous Conversation topic please send it to yusuf.ali@bmc.org
Contact Yusuf Ali at Yusuf.Ali@bmc.org or 617-414-3839.
Network Events
Connect with Vital Village Network at these upcoming events. Click
event to RSVP or learn more .
Join  Vital Village,  Health Care for All, and  Community Catalyst for our next co-hosted Network Connection Meeting: Leveraging Community Voices for Health Care Change today , March 2nd at 5:30pm at the BU School of Medicine, located at 72 East Concord Street.

This Network Connection Meeting is about recognizing the power of our collective voice and the potential for community-led advocacy to inform, improve, advance health care changes that are just and equitable. You do not want to miss this opportunity to advocate for what our communities need to advance health justice, equity and improved health care for all.

Representatives from  Cambridge College  will be present to share information and answer questions about their innovative education and professional development programs for Adult Learners.
The Male Engagement Network (MEN) , is a multi-neighborhood collaboration between neighborhood development corporations and non-profits with a focus on providing social, spiritual, and financial support to men of color living in the Mattapan, Dorchester, and Roxbury neighborhoods.

RSVP for the upcoming CORI Job Fair and the 2nd Annual Wellness Conference. More information available upon request: yusuf.ali@bmc.org
Community Events
Join Vital Village Network partners and other community organizations at these upcoming events. Click event to RSVP or learn more.
6:00pm-8:00pm @ YMCA Huntington Lobby, 316 Huntington Ave., Boston
The Boston Food Access Council (BFAC) brings community and stakeholder voices together to create access to affordable, just, culturally connected, healthy, and sustainable food in Boston. These free meetings are every quarter, Please RSVP today!

3:00 @ Boston City Hall Mezzanine, 1 City Hall Square, Boston
Put on your purple and join Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the  Office of Women's Advancement  for an International Women's Day celebration! Women's voices and contributions will be honored while recognizing the work still ahead. The gathering will take place on the third floor mezzanine at Boston City Hall.

5:00-8:00pm @ Forever Young Adult Day Health Center, 695 Truman PKWY,. Hyde Park
It is our pleasure to invite you to the Association of Haitian Women in Boston's Annual International Women's Day event. It will be a night filled with music, dancing, inspirational speakers, and dinner. We hope you will join us, RSVP here!

6:00pm-8:00pm @ Roxbury Community College, 1234 Columbus Avenue Bldg 3, Roxbury Crossing
Roxbury Community College has partnered with Our Village Initiative to bring some tangible steps people of color can take to increase their Networth. Industry experts have been gathered to teach what the 1% has done for centuries to solidify their wealth. Now these strategies are available to everyone , Register now!

2:00-5:00pm @ Community Health Education Center, 860 Harrison Ave, 2nd Floor, Roxbury
This free event will allow an open and honest discussion about Post Partum Mental Illness, answer your questions and provide valuable information. You will have an opportunity to speak with physicians, providers, survivors, and clinicians with extensive experience caring for women with PPD . Food, childcare and organizations who can support mothers and families in our communities will be present. RSVP today!

7:30-9:30am @ Morris Auditorium, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, 600 Atlantic Ave., Boston
Join Women on the Rise: Harness Her Power. This year is the centennial celebration of the 19th Amendment that granted women the right to vote, but nationally women's political representation is far from equal. This is especially true for women of color, who have faced additional challenges gaining the right to vote and to hold office. RSVP required!

5:30pm-7:30pm @ Northeastern Crossing, 1175 Tremont St, Boston
AAUW Work Smart is a FREE two-hour salary negotiation workshop designed to give women the skills and confidence to advocate for themselves in the workplace. Participants will learn how to research competitive salaries, articulate their skills, qualifications and experience, and ask for—and get—the pay they deserve. Register here!
Check out more community events on our Website  and Facebook.
Opportunities

Check out job, volunteer, and grant opportunities available in our
community.
JOBS & SERVICE:
YW Boston works to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YW Boston's LeadBoston team is looking for its next   Program Associate . If you or someone you know is interested in the role, apply here !
 
The mission of the MAWOCN is to support the leadership of women of color working in the DV/Sexual Violence movements in Massachusetts. The Network Coordinator will be located at Brookview House’s Roxbury location and will travel to various locations across the state for meetings. Please send a thoughtful cover letter and a resume to  masswocn@gmail.com .

Training:
This Training Program is for for those with strong content knowledge and depth of experience in the birth community, such as childbirth educators trained by other organizations, L&D nurses, midwives and seasoned doulas. This 10 week Course begins March 24, 2020    APPLY NOW and begin working on your requirements . Visit the website for complete program details & fees    Contact 617-2445102 or shari@deepseeddoula.com for more information.   
CONFERENCES:
Entering it's 5th year, the Boston GLOW Career and Empowerment Conference aims to provide guidance and build community among women professionals and their allies. The goal is to uplift and validate the characteristics that make women great employees, entrepreneurs, and leaders. The day will feature engaging speakers and interactive breakout sessions led by female CEOs, entrepreneurs, activists, and community leaders. We'll have hands-on opportunities to network, learn new skills, and connect with one another.

The Massachusetts Center for Unexpected Infant & Child Death’s invites you to their conference: “Responding to Sudden Unexpected Infant Death: Strategies for the Professional” .
The Massachusetts Center for Unexpected Infant & Child Death, housed within BMC’s Division of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, is a statewide support for families, communities, and professionals after an unexpected death during pregnancy, infancy, or early childhood.

For additional questions,contact  magriefcenter@bmc.org  or visit: http://www.magriefcenter.org/

Save the Date @ Tufts University School of Medicine, 145 Harrison Ave., Boston
3rd annual conference on Black Maternal Health Disparities with both national and local speakers. The conference seeks to raise awareness, activism, and community building for Black Mothers in order to bring more attention to the state of Black maternal health in the United States. RSVP today , Don't miss out!
Resource Connector
Learn more about resources relevant to children and families in our community from our community.
RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS
The Mission of the Office of Women's Advancement is to promote gender equity by empowering women and removing systemic barriers to their advancement. Please check out all of their great resources here !

The mission of Mother's for Justice and Equality is to end neighborhood violence by empowering mothers and youth to challenge the normalization of violence and become effective catalysts for change in their homes, schools, and communities. By reclaiming the identity of our communities we restore a sense of hope and purpose for children, youth, and adults. Please check out all of their great resources here !

On Friday, February 21, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the DHS public charge regulation — which institutes a wealth test in our immigration system- to take effect nationwide, by removing the last injunction standing in Illinois . To learn more read here!
  • The PIF Campaign is dedicated to providing community-facing materials on public charge to better equip immigrants with what they need to know to make the best decision for themselves and for their families. More materials for service providers and advocates can be found at their Special Resources Page (Available in Multiple Languages).

Scoop on the Stats
Explore data related to child and family well-being.
2019 Health of Women and Children Report
America’s Health Rankings®️ is built on the World Health Organization’s definition of health: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

The model’s behaviors, community & environment, policy and clinical care categories reflect the personal, social and environmental factors that influence the health outcomes category.

Explore more of the Massachusetts Statistics from the report here !
Sharing Technology
Explore technology related to child and family well-being.
The  Abundance App   is now available on iOS and Android devices, as well as on desktops. Abundance empowers Boston residents to easily access affordable, high-quality food resources. Download the FREE app today!
CONtexts aims to promote positive outcomes between caregivers and children by sharing weekly resources through a FREE text service and interactive resource sharing map. These resources are ideal for anyone working with or caregivers of children ages 0-5.

To subscribe, text KIDS to 8-8-5-8-8
Once you're subscribed you will receive 3 weekly FREE text messages:
  • Monday: Nearby community resources
  • Wednesday: Wellness tips
  • Friday: Family-fun events
Our Mission

Vital Village is a network of residents and
agencies committed to maximizing child, family, and community wellbeing.
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Stay Connected
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