“Joy is our birthright. There is power in our joy."
– Tracey Michae'l Lewis-Giggetts
Author, Thought-Leader, Founder of HeARTspace
|
|
|
|
Network members' voices bring good news and share highlights from
around our community.
|
|
We're kicking off our Leadership Series blog, following the 2022 National Community Leadership Summit. Learn more as we reflect back on the three themes of the summit:
Joy, Liberation, and Love.
Stay tuned for more as we reflect and share exciting content from the Summit as part of the Leadership Series!
|
|
Do you know someone within the Vital Village Network that is doing exceptional work in their community to promote child and family wellbeing?
Lift up their leadership and service by nominating them for the Unsung Hero Award. You may nominate more than one exceptional individual.
Nominate an Unsung Hero by Monday, November 28th by 9am EST.
|
|
|
|
Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Announcement |
Please see most up to date information regarding the status of the Student Loan Debt Relief Program here
|
|
|
|
Native American Heritage Month |
|
November is Native American Heritage Month, also referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. This month is a time to honor the rich history and immense contribution of Native communities to the history of this country, as well as a time to work towards an equitable future in which past treaties and lands are restored and respected.
Explore below some resources to learn more about Native American history, as well as see some of the food systems work done by our network partners and Food Systems Fellows!
|
|
Explore Indigenous Food Systems and Land Access Work by Fellows & Partners |
|
|
|
Network Events
Connect with Vital Village Network at these upcoming events. Click
event to RSVP or learn more.
|
|
|
Wednesday, December 7th at 5:30 - 6:30pm ET
Learn more about VVN’s 2023 Data Storytelling Workshop Series: Join this series from January to April 2023 focused on building capacity to create and share stories that support social change using data tools. Register here for an introductory call on December 7, 2022 at 5:30 - 6:30pm ET.
|
|
Upcoming Events for Children and Families
Click on the flyer to download it and access clickable links and QR Codes for each event.
|
|
|
|
Community Events
Join Vital Village Network partners and other community organizations at these upcoming events. Click event to RSVP or learn more.
|
|
|
Mattapan Hugs and Play
10:30am to 12:30pm
Held every other Wednesday (next group November 23rd)
Join the Mattapan Family Engagement Network for Mattapan Hugs and Play, a parent/caregiver and child playgroup for infants and toddlers! Included will be circle time, story time, independent play, as well as education about child development for parents and caregivers.
This event is held at the Mattapan Public Library at 1350 Blue Hill Ave, Mattapan MA 02126
|
|
Saturday, December 3, 2022
12pm-4pm ET
In this free half-day event by EmbraceRace will issue a call to action for parents and educators to advocate for honest teaching and learning about race, racism, and equity in schools, and provide ideas and insight into the coalition-building and advocacy strategies needed to counter efforts to shut down these conversations. Time will be reserved for participants to reflect, connect, and set intentions.
|
|
|
|
Opportunities
Check out job, volunteer, and grant opportunities available in our
community.
|
|
|
JOBS:
Accompany Doula Care is looking for an Executive Director. This position is a full-time exempt employee, who is committed to addressing inequities in birth work and has the ability to support our diverse, dynamic, and growing organization. If you have a background in development and nonprofit management, an interest in working in a non-profit start-up environment, and a passion for maternal and child health or public health, we would like to meet you! Learn more here.
PROGRAMS and GRANTS:
PowerCorpsBOS is a green jobs program that provides young adults with training, career readiness support, and connections to employers in the green industry. An “earn and learn” program, PowerCorpsBOS pays members to participate in hands-on training that prepares them for living-wage careers. Over the course of its 6-month training program, PowerCorpsBOS teaches Corps members a variety of transferrable soft skills and technical forestry skills that can be used in the green industry and beyond. For their commitment, Corps members are paid $15.75/hour at 35 hours per week (Monday-Friday, 8:30-3:30) and also receive a monthly T pass. Learn more at the website here, or download a flyer here.
The Grassroots Fund's grant programs are designed to energize and nurture long term civic engagement in local initiatives that create and maintain healthy, just, safe and environmentally sustainable communities. We offer three grant programs for different types of groups:
- Seed grants are designed to support new (often less than 1 year old) environmental projects.
- Grow grants support initiatives that look to deepen their work or broaden participation.
- The Young Leaders program supports efforts with significant leadership by organizers under 25 years old.
Learn more here about the different types of grants.
VOLUNTEER:
Youth Transitions Task Force
The Youth Transitions Task Force plans to continue the conversation around early college and career alongside our current work on dropout prevention and re-engagement integrations.
Please contact Inanna.Pickering@bostonpic.org if you would like to be added to the calendar invitations for our monthly meetings on Thursdays from 9:00-10:30am.
|
|
|
|
Resource Connector
Learn more about resources relevant to children and families in our community from our community.
|
|
|
Boston Area Resources for Winter |
|
Community Choice Electricity provided by the City of Boston allows residents (renters and homeowners) to opt into 100% clean, renewable electricity through their normal utility provider while paying a lower rate. Similar programs are run through Somerville, Cambridge, Chelsea, and other MA cities.
Eversource is raising the cost of electricity from $0.15 to 0.17 per KwH for Boston residents on July 1. The Community Choice renewable electricity rates are 20-40% lower and are capped through December 2023.
|
|
Find COVID-19 Testing Near You find your nearest testing site, including many with walk-in availability at boston.gov. Regular COVID-19 testing, both when sick and asymptomatic, can help prevent community spread of the virus, so we appreciate you taking advantage of these opportunities!
|
|
For Children and Caregivers:
HandholdMA.org, is a family friendly website designed for parents of school-aged children in Massachusetts who are worried about their child’s mental health. Is your kid just being a kid, or is their behavior something to worry about? If so, what are the next steps you can take? HandHold will help you figure that out.
Sitters for Scholars, our volunteers are prepared to provide high-quality babysitting in person for children while parents pursue their education. To maintain the safest environment, both sitters and parents will be required to be vaccinated and boosted, and all individuals, including children two years and up, will also be required to wear a mask. You can sign up here, or see more information here.
Find your ideal therapist of color and boost your wellness journey with content written by and for people of color.
|
|
|
|
Scoop on the Stats
Explore data from across the United States
|
|
|
At the core of Vital Village Networks’ mission is centering the dignity and contributions of every member of our food systems, whether you’re a farmworker or a child eating a school lunch, and redesigning a system that honors those experiences. In this article, VVN Program Manager Diana Rivera shares how we’re working to redistribute the power and decision making capacity in our food systems to those most affected by its inequities.
|
|
|
|
Sharing Technology
Explore technology related to child and family well-being.
|
|
|
The UPDATED Abundance Boston Food Access App 3.0.2 is now available! Abundance empowers Boston residents to easily access affordable, high-quality food resources. Download the FREE app today!
|
|
|
The COVID-19 Resource Map now has updated addresses and hours of over 90 locations in Boston currently provide free breakfast, lunch or dinner for youth, and 10 free community fridges open to the public 24/7.
|
|
|
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 844-806-0616
|
|
|
|
|
We Did it Together!
Collective actions and investments.
|
|
|
Let's #GrowOurVillage, Together |
Thank you for championing our shared mission to expand a collective responsibility for all children. |
|
|
|
Our Mission
Vital Village is a network of residents and agencies committed to maximizing child, family, and community wellbeing.
|
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
|
Share with Us
Have an event, job opportunity, or resource to share with the network?
|
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stay Connected
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
