Village Voices
Network members' voices bring good news and share highlights from
around our community. 
Family Play Week 2020
In July, First TeacherCountdown to KindergartenBoston Childen's Museum, and Vital Village Networks partnered up for three full weeks of free virtual activities for families in Dorchester and Roxbury with children ages 0-6. Thank you to our incredible partners and families for a summer to remember full of play, growth, and love!
Asking Mental Health to Take a Backseat During the Coronavirus Pandemic is a Dangerous Proposition - Julia Slayne

Our Emerging Leader, Julia Slayne has written an article discussing the pandemic's impact on children's mental health and strategies for ACES Connection! Check it out here!

In partnership with Urban College of Boston, Vital Village Networks is accepting applications for scholarships to the Certificate in Community Leadership and Advocacy, a year-long, 9-credit, college-level certificate program that builds upon the capabilities of community leaders who are working to maximize child, family, and community wellbeing in Boston.


Our Wellness Ideas Bank was created in response to COVID-19 in March. As the situation evolves, we are updating our Wellness Ideas Bank to match the community’s needs and improve user-friendliness.

Revive, Restore, Reclaim!
Celebrate Black Breastfeeding Week with us!
August 25th-31st.
Network Events
Connect with Vital Village Network at these upcoming events. Click
event to RSVP or learn more.
2020 National Community Leadership Summit
Vital Village Networks proudly presents the 2020 National Community Leadership Summit! This is one of the most important conferences on the topics of child wellbeing and early-life adversity in the Northeast region and beyond.

Join us! Shape the conversation with fellow community leaders, practitioners, change agents, and advocates with over two days of virtual panels, workshops, breakout sessions, and plenaries.
Thursdays 6:00-7:30 pm
From your computer or smartphone!

Families with young children are invited to Children’s Mental Health Virtual Storytimes co-hosted by the Vital Village Network Mental Health Committee and Boston Public Library. We will bring families together for book readings, activities, and resources focused on Social-Emotional Learning inspired by our Children's Mental Health Storytime Toolkit. Sessions are designed for children 3-8 years old, but younger & older siblings are welcome! Register here!
CHILD WELLBEING SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT
As COVID-19 continues to impact families in unique ways, your voice will help ensure we continue to meet the needs of the community.

For families that are expecting or have children ages 0-11 please share your feedback by completing our survey!
Call or email the Warmline:
857-301-8259
Community Events
Join Vital Village Network partners and other community organizations at these upcoming events. Click event to RSVP or learn more.
Virtual Family Paint Night
Join us every Tuesday evening in August from 5:30-6:30pm for a virtual family paint night. As we gather we will be surrounded by our community and family memfbers and music. We will highlight the work and artistry of children, youth, and families and share our experiences with breastfeeding
Sign up for more information HERE.
Register for our Virtual Paint Night Register Here
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Boston Public Schools Parent University
BPS Parent University is hosting various summer learning activities online. Follow the link to register!
August 11th: Family Painting Fun
6:30-8 PM : Register Here
August 19th: Cooking and Healthy Eating
6:00 - 7:30 PM Register here

Uplift the CAN Tuesdays: Virtual Meetup
Uplift the CAN (Community Action Network) Tuesday first commenced during the COvid-19 stay at home orders! We now have offered an array of outstanding community-led virtual meetings that provide free education, skills training and support, to encourage CAN activation. Our FREE virtual meetups provide safe spaces for CAN members to join us as we navigate the many self-care resources that exist within our network.

August 11th: "Growing Health PT" (Urban Gardening & Growing Techniques!)
2:00 - 3:00 PM Register here
August 18th: Healthy eating while shopping on a budget
2:00 - 3:00 PM Register here
September 1st: Maternal Health Legislation Updates & Activation Workshop
2:00 - 3:00 PM Register here
K0-K2 Summer Learning Workshops: Countdown to Kindergarten
August 20th: Smart and Scattered
2-3:30 pm: Register here
Focus on information and techniques to assist your child in planning, organizing, and prioritizing daily tasks
August 30th: BPS New Family Welcome Sessions
2-3pm: Register here
Connect you with BPS departments that can support you and your child in answering school-related questions
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August 20th: Creating a Beloved Community: Parenting, Race, and Advocacy
Workshop 3: Family and Race
10am- 12pm PTS (1pm- 4pm EST) @ Zoom - Register here
Sponsored by Family HUI in partnership with the Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College, this workshop invites participants to explore methods to discuss these topics within the families and personal spheres of influence. Additionally, this workshop will discuss how racism contributes to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and how to support a child in a way that promotes resilience and healing.

August 27th: Dadscussions 2.0: Mental Wellness and Caring for yourself
6:00pm-8:30pm, @ Online - Register to receive meeting information!
An ongoing virtual series providing opportunities for fathers to discuss current topics that matter to them. Father-Figures, Mentors, and allies welcome.

August 29th: DeeDee's Cry Presents: METCO and Mental Health
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm @ Online - Register here
A discussion with former METCO students how being in predominately White schools affected their mental health.
Check out more community events on our Website and Facebook.
Opportunities

Check out job, volunteer, and grant opportunities available in our
community.
JOBS:
Part-Time Training Manager, Families First
Families First is hiring for a part time Training Manager and we have just posted it the information! I’ve included it as an attachment but information can also be found here.

Part-Time Financial Coach, Street Cred
StreetCred is hiring a part-time financial coach. The ideal candidate is bilingual in Spanish or Haitian Creole and has a financial background. The position is or 12-16 hours a week for two years (with the potential for more hours if we find more funding).
Resource Connector
Learn more about resources relevant to children and families in our community from our community.
Connections and Healing:
Check out Diststant Together's resources for Mental Health during the SARS-COV Pandemic

Resources guide from Massachusetts General Hospital
For Children:
Talking to Kids about Police:
Greater Boston Childcare Collective's post on talking to kids about police

Virtual Babysitting:
Sitters Without Borders is now offering Virtual BabySitting Sessions to parents who are taking on-line classes. The sitting sessions are available to parents while they are taking an on-line class or if they need time to do homework. More information here!
Other Resources for Boston COVID-19 Response:
Mayor’s Health Line: 617-534-5050
City of Boston Non-Emergency Line: 3-1-1
Meal sites in Boston: Food Access Map: Meal Sites

MA Non-emergency helpline: 2-1-1 or call 1-877-211-MASS
>> Deaf/Hearing Impaired: 508-370-4890 TTY
>> For more info on Mass211: https://mass211.org/about/

Scoop on the Stats
Explore data related to child and family well-being.
Why Breastfeeding Matters
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
Have an event, job opportunity, or resource to share with the network?

Complete this form!