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NETWORK CONNECTOR NEWSLETTER
Volume 4, Issue 4; April 2017
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In This Issue:
II.
Bright Spots
III.
Village Voices
IV.
Special Announcement
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2017 Call for Innovations
We are excited to announce our 2017 Call for Innovations!
We will be awarding grants of up to $5,000 to support collaborations in our three focus areas: 1) prenatal opportunity (supporting families from preconception to early childhood); 2) innovations in education for children 0-8; and 3) peer-to-peer advocacy. Projects must be focused on children and families in Roxbury, Dorchester, or Mattapan.
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Save the Date -
April Network Connection Meeting - Special Event
Why do we share our stories? In the busy day-to-day of life, it can be difficult to pause, reflect, and truly listen to those around us. Yet, when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, focusing on being more present with one another, we may begin to recognize the connections among us.
Next Monday, Playback Theatre for Social Change and Red Sage Stories will host a special performance at our April network connection meeting. Red Sage Stories is "a Dorchester/ Roxbury performing arts ensemble of poets, dancers, and bilingual actors". In using playback theater, the troupe aims to listen to audience members' stories and to honor them, showing that their voices have been heard. Please join us to share your story, reflecting on how our childhood experiences have impacted how we approach our work.
When:Monday, April 10th, 6:00 pm-8:00pm
Where: Boston Medical Center, Evans Seminar Room
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Bright Spots
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Kymberly Byrd co-authors "Community Health Improvement and the Community Psychology Competencies"
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 Vital Village's very own Kymberly Byrd has recently published a paper in the
Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice. This article highlighted the work of several communities involved in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's SCALE initiative. The publication explores the core competencies that community psychologists can bring to public health partnerships - ecological perspectives, empowerment, sociocultural and cross-cultural competence, community inclusion and partnership, and an ethical reflective practice.
We are so proud of your work, Kymberly, and so excited for your next chapter at Vanderbilt University's Community Research and Action PhD program!
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Suzeth L. Dunn-Dyer's Interview with "Common Ground"
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As Director of Orchard Gardens Resident Services, Suzeth works with ar
ou
nd 2,000 families to support positive transformation in this community. Suzeth talks about the
Violence-Youth Prevention program, the Northeastern Dream mentor program and the Strengthening Families program.
Click here to watch Suzette's interview beginning at 21:41.
"We piloted the healing circle... so we really engaged our families, our parents to create a space for people that they knew, just to have a conversation, about matters that really mattered to this community."
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Breastfeeding "Pop-Ups" at Copley Library and Haley House
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 The VVN Breastfeeding Coalition is trying a new strategy to connect with parents - "pop-up" breastfeeding events. On March 1st and 10th, we joined parents at the Copley library for their Baby Dance Party and Toddler play-groups to talk to more parents about breastfeeding and our nine drop-in support groups.
If you're interested in hosting us for a one-time, pop-up event or a know of a location in Roxbury, Dorchester or Mattapan where parents to young infants spend time, please reach out to [email protected].
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Book signing for "Pre-Father Care: Prenatal Care for Fathers"
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This month, Charles Daniels, Jr., our dear friend, Vital Village partner, and the CEO/Founder of Fathers' Uplift, celebrated the release of his book "Pre-Father Care: Prenatal Care for Fathers."
Pre-Father Care: Prenatal Care for Fathers features many stories from the fathers that we've worked with over the past few years. Those stories, as well as the personal experiences of Charles, served as the inspiration for the book. The book is available now in paperback, hardcover, and e-book format on Amazon and from other book retailers.
This is a great tool for anyone working in mental health or parent engagement services, or preparing to be a father themselves. Congratulations, Charles! Your Vital Village Network family is so proud of you.
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Vital Village Blog
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It Takes a Village: Using Service Learning to Increase Breastfeeding Support in Boston
By Morgan Brockington
At the beginning of the new year, the Boston Breastfeeding Coalition began to think about the best ways to make this model sustainable and what other training opportunities we could provide. We decided that another Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE) training would be the perfect complement to the CLC training last summer. ROSE is an organization that was founded to address breastfeeding disparities to improve health equity among people of color nationwide through culturally competent training, education, advocacy, and support. With a focus on increasing breastfeeding initiation and duration rates, ROSE seeks to normalize breastfeeding by providing resources and networking opportunities for individuals and communities....
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VVCP, a group of dedicated community residents, recently started a Knitting and Crochet Social Group to create a space for self-care, learning new skills, and meeting new friends. Please join VVCP to make hats, scarves, baby blankets, and other crafty designs for guests at Children's Services of Roxbury! Contact
KT
Where: Dudley Cafe, Bolling Building, 2300 Washington St, Roxbury
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What would happen if you texted KIDS to 8-8-5-8-8?
Vital Village is excited to offer a free texting service, in which users will receive information about
community resources
(Mondays), useful
youth wellness tips
(Wednesdays), and
fun family activities
(Fridays). To subscribe, please
text KIDS
to
88588
. You can also join the Facebook page
here or check out the ma
p
here.
To give feedback on what information you'd like to hear about or to share resources you know about, e-mail [email protected] with the subject "CONtexts" or post on the Fa
cebook page.
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Praising Parents
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In this lovely article from the Washington Post, six parents reflect on what they love best about the
ir children who have autism.This Autism Awareness Month, let's
take some time to highlight the strengths, joys and assets of the many families in our communities who have children on the autism spectrum.
"Charlotte isn't valuable because her tolerance for riding in a car has increased or she's learned to initiate play with preferred peers. Charlotte has always been valuable, whether she's melting down in the corner of the classroom or quietly working on her reading."
Click here to read the full article.
Have an interview or a video that you
think would be perfect
for next month's
Praising Parents?
Share it with us at
!
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Around the Network
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Father's Uplift POWER Gala
Join Father's Uplift for their annual blue tie event, as they work to support child, paternal health, and male engagement. This year's POWER gala will combat homelessness among fathers by raising funds to create, "Boston's first residential and community safe haven for men and their families."
When: Sunday, June 18th
5:00-11:00pm
Where:
Hyatt Regency, 575 Memorial Drive, Cambridge MA 02139
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Flash Rhyme Mob
Join over 1,000 children in joyfully chanting nursery rhymes at several locations all over Boston. Countdown to Kindergarten hosts this annual event, as part of their ongoing efforts to, "support parents as their child's first teachers."
When: Thursday, April 27th
11:00-11:30am
Where:
Locations across Boston
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The Transportation Coalition Meeting
Come to this month's transportation coalition meeting to discuss student access to the MBTA and plan for a youth photovoice project.
When: Thursday, April 13th
5:30 pm
Where: TBD
To become involved in the Transportation Coalition, please reach out to
[email protected]
with the Dudley Square Neighborhood Initiative.
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Around the City
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DotOUT's Annual Spring Thang
DotOut's hosts an free annual brunch for the LGBTQ community in Dorchester to meet-up and brainstorm for the coming year with DotOUT. Whether you're a long-term member or just curious about DotOUT's role in Dorchester, please feel free to drop by.
When
: April 1st, 11:30am-1:30pm
Where
: The Blarney Stone, 1505 Dorchester Avenue, Boston MA 02122
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MBTA Public Meeting on the Mattapan Trolley
The MBTA will be talking with community residents about their current plans and investments in the historic Presidential Conference Car Fleet, for the Mattapan-Ashmont Trolley Line.
6:30-8:30pm, April 3rd
Mattapan Public Library
6:30-8:30pm, April 13th
Milton High School Auditorium
6:30-8:30pm,
April 21st
Lower Mills Branch Public Library
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Your Neighborhood,
Your Health
The ABCD Solutions Series want to work with community residents in Mattapan to re-design neighborhoods to promote health and thriving.
When: April 4th, 3:00-5:00pm
Where: ABCD Melnea Cass Room, 3rd floor
Register:
bostonabcd.org/soultions |
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Boston Education Justice Alliance monthly meeting
Parent, students, educators and community organizations are welcome to join BEJA as they discuss how to create higher quality, more equitable schools in Boston. BEJA believes that Boston needs, "fully funded schools, no more disruptive schools closings and consolidations," and more.
Come share your voice on the topics that matter most to you and your family!
When: April 6th, 6:00-7:30 pm
Where: Boston Public Library - Mattapan
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DotHouse Walking Club
Looking to get in shape in a casual, social environment? Join the Dorchester Walking Club for its weekly Friday walking hour. Enjoy cheerful music and the level indoor surface. All are welcome!
"Your choice, your pace, your health!"
When: Apr 14 12:00pm- 1:00pm
Where: 1353 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester House Gymnasium
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Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Workshop
Join the Commission on the Status of Grandparents raising Grandchildren for a three-hour workshop and informational panel on the disease of addiction led by Lynn Girton and Ilene Mitchel. Breakfast, tea and coffee will be provided.
When: April 12th,
9:30am-12:30am
Where: 136 H Street, South Boston Neighborhood House
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Screening of Paper Tigers
Come see Paper Tigers, a documentary about a Wisconsin school's effor
ts to support children who have experience trauma. Councilor Pressley of Boston will host a Q&A
session following the screening. To buy an 11$ ticket, click
here
.
When: Thursday, May 4th,
5:30-7:45PM
Where: Regal Fenway Stadium 13 & RPX,
201 Brookline Ave
Boston, MA 02115
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As women navigate their experiences of pregnancy, labor and the post-partum period, they may see a range of medical practitioners. Depending on the model, an Ob/Gyn or a midwife may lead the care initiative, or they may collaborate. This review by the Cochrane Institute analyzed 15 studies that made comparisons between "mid-wife led continuous care" and other forms of care in which a doctor is involved. Women under this model received fewer biomedical interventions (like epidurals, episiotomies, forceps-assisted births and vacuum assisted births).
Interestingly, while the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth increased, there was no difference in the number of Cesarean sections overall. This meta-analysis only considered studies that enrolled women with low-risk pregnancies who did not have serious pre-existing health concerns. However, for women without these concerns, midwife-led continuity care may provide greater benefits without observed risks.
*
Sandall, Jane. Soltani, Hora. Gates, Simon. Shennan, Andrew and Devane, Declan. (2016) Midwife-led continuity models of care versus other models of care for child-bearing women. The Cochrane Institute.
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Looking to support fathers throughout the entirety of their parenting journey? Charles C. Daniels Jr. wrote
Pre-Father Care: Prenatal Care for Fathers as a guidebook for individuals and organizations. Daniels' work hosts a range of reflective exercises, personal stories and advice for practitioners.
To learn more and purchase Pre-Father Care, please click
here
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The Scoop on Stats
staying up to date with data measurement!
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According to the School of Social Policy & Practice at UPenn, New York neighborhoods with cultural resources may be safer and healthier.
Communities with cultural resources do better....Our research clearly demonstrated that sections of the City are doing well on a number of dimensions of well-being, in spite of significant economic challenges." - Mark Stern
Stern, Mark. Seifert, Susan. (2017) The Social Wellbeing of New York City's Neighborhoods: The Contribution of Culture and the Arts.The Reinvestment Fund.
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Families First Program Manager
Families First is hiring a Program Manager for its Power of Parenting Program, through which "parents participate in twelve weeks of comprehensive programming held at a partner site in their neighborhood and four weeks of online complementary learning." The Program Manager will recruit for, coordinate and deliver the Power of Parenting program at several locations around Boston.
For more detailed description of the position, please click
here.
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Smart from the Start Education Coordinator and Program Facilitator
Smart from the Start is hiring a Spanish-speaking Education Coordinator and a Program Facilitator for their work to support families, engage communities and prepare children for school. Smart from the Start offers,"home visiting, parenting education and support, adult education, information and referrals to vital services," among other fun, educational resources.
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to
access
tons of
community-shared resources and help us get to 500 likes!
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