"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members."
— Coretta Scott King
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Network members' voices bring good news and share highlights from around our community |
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Unsung Hero Award Article: |
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Benjamin Buggs - Vital Village National Partnership and Collaborative Leadership |
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Benjamin Buggs interview article for National Partnership and Community Leadership
In December of 2022, Benjamin Buggs was awarded the Vital Village National Partnership and Collaborative Leadership for his work fighting food insecurity in Vallejo, California.
Benjamin Buggs grew up in Muncie, Indiana. He was recruited to play basketball for the University of Pacific in Northern California, and eventually earned his Bachelors with a concentration in marketing. He played basketball professionally for many teams, including the Sacramento Kings, and continued his education to get his MBA and his JD in law school. Benjamin currently resides in Vallejo, California married to his wife Mary Ann Buggs, and is father to five children and 23 grandchildren.
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Support us in our newest campaign, In The Village, We All Belong, to ensure a sense of belonging for every child and family. Together, we continue to make significant strides in creating and elevating opportunities for co-creation and systems transformation to ensure an equitable future for all children and families. |
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Connect with Vital Village Networks at these upcoming events |
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July Community Data Workgroup |
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Wednesday, July 26: 5:30-6:30pm ET |
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Join a dynamic group of Boston resident champions and community organizations and promote housing and environmental justice by sharing data, wisdom and knowledge. All voices and perspectives are welcome. |
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Check out available resources relevant to children and families |
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Boston Breastfeeding Coalition
Free Lactation Support
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Are you pregnant, nursing, or know someone who is? Come to one of our drop-in support groups around Boston! Our groups offer professional lactation counseling, fun playgroups for your young child, and support for anyone struggling with the ups and downs of parenting. |
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My 'Self' in the World: Children's Mental Health Storytimes
Live Virtual Event
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My 'Self' in the World: In Person Storytimes |
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We deliver a wide range of training programs and services that strengthen the public health workforce. |
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Learn more about events and resources by our partners and community organizations |
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Migrant Families Seeking Asylum Need Your Support - Volunteer your time, Purchase goods, Donate |
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Over 150 migrant families seeking asylum are being temporarily housed at the Clarion Hotel in Taunton, MA. Inadequate living conditions and lack of culturally-appropriate and responsive resources & supports are putting their health in immediate risk. Pregnant and birthing migrants are at an even greater risk due to a lack of social supports, maternity and postpartum supplies, and quality nutrition. |
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ReadBoston StoryMobile Summer Schedule 2023
In-Person Events
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A Summer program giving Boston children storytelling events and free books. Appropriate for children ages 3-8. |
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Boston PARKARTS Children's Arts & Crafts Workshop |
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Tuesday through Friday in July and August from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. |
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Looking for a free, fun activity to enjoy with the kids? Join us this summer for one of our arts and crafts workshops hosted by a local artist in various parks throughout the City of Boston.
This series of arts and crafts workshops is perfect for children ages 3-10. Local artists will lead take-home craft projects, all materials are provided.
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Tuesdays, July 11 & 18
Marcella Playground, Roxbury
Harambee Park, Dorchester
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Wednesdays, July 5, 12, & 19
Iacono Playground, Hyde Park
Hynes Field, West Roxbury
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Thursday, July 27, August 3 & 10
Medal of Honor Park, South Boston
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Thursdays, July 6, 13, & 20
Fallon Field, Roslindale
Walker Playground, Mattapan
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Fridays, July 7, 14, & 21
Mozart Street Playground, Jamaica Plain
Ringer Playground, Allston
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Friday, July 28, August 4 & 11
Peter Looney Park, Charlestown
Ryan Playground, Dorchester
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Tuesdays, July 25, August 1 & 8
LoPresti Park, East Boston
Langone Park, Puopolo Playground, North End
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Wednesdays, July 26, August 2 & 9
Myrtle Street Playground, Beacon Hill
Gertrude Howes Playground, Roxbury
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Looking for a Summer Camp? Or for something fun to do with your family?
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Visit Boston Public Schools to see opportunities, events, and summer camps! Included are camps for grades k-12, as well as camps for students with special needs. There is something for everyone!
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Explore data from across the United States |
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Neighborhood Birth Center
(Salary: $70,000)
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Manager of Communications and Engagement |
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Manager of Sustainability and Operations |
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Explore data from across the United States |
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The Boston Public Health Commission’s (BPHC) recently published their 2023 Health of Boston reports, which highlight trends in five resident health outcomes across Boston neighborhoods. The reports disaggregate findings by census tract, neighborhood, race, sex, employment and housing status, exposing how social drivers of health and the environments we live in can lead to disparities in health outcomes like asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and mortality. For example, BPHC found that rates of diabetes were significantly higher among Black (15.1%) and Latinx (13.3%) residents and residents living in Boston Housing Authority homes (21.3%) when compared with White (5.0%) or home-owning (8.1%) residents, highlighting the impacts of legacies of housing inequality and systemic racism on health. Diabetes rates varied widely in neighborhoods, ranging from 3.7% in Fenway to 15.5% in neighboring Roxbury. Further research may be required to explore trends at a census block level
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Our partners at BPHC will be conducting neighborhood community events to discuss findings from these reports with residents. To learn more or get involved, please contact populationhealth@boston.gov.
Interested in leading projects that use health data for advocacy and social change? Please consider joining Vital Village’s Community Data Workgroup meeting on July 26
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Have an event, job opportunity, or resource to share with the network?
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Vital Village Networks is a network of residents and agencies committed to maximizing child, family, and community well-being. |
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