"We're engaged in a struggle between two forces: racial progress and racist process." -- Dr. Ibram X. Kendi Founding Director, Antiracist Research and Policy Center To Our Beloved Village Community, We need to ensure that every child has an equitable future. This will require committed actions towards racial progress. In this moment we see ourselves. We acknowledge and honor the generations of sacrifice, struggle, and advocacy. We lift up our diverse and rich traditions and our excellence. We welcome new allies. We continue. Together we can step forward in this moment as a coalition, a community, a collective working towards justice and liberation.  #VillageInMind   #StandForDignity

Resource Connector Learn more about resources relevant to children and families in our community from our community.

For Police Violence and Anti-Racism in America Below are helpful links to organizations that can help both you and your family during these times: Obama Foundation ACLU Black Lives Matter Embrace Race National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Ways you can take action: Color of Change Campaign-Sign the Petition to End Violent Policing Movement 4 Black Lives - Week of Action Compilation of Community Bail Funds NAACP Legal Defense Fund Resources for talking to your children: Addressing Racial Injustice with Children from EMBRACE RACE How do I talk to young children about racial injustice? a guide created by MSPCC with MassAIMH and the Boston Public Health Commission. Your Kids Aren't Too Young to Talk About Race: Resource Roundup 31 Children’s Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism, and Resistance Resources for Talking About Race, Racism, and Racialized Violence with KidsCenter for Racial Justice and Education Talking About Racism And Bias: Resources For Parents And Caregivers Children’s Alliance Race Talk: Engaging Young People in Conversations about Race and Racism  Anti-Defamation League How To Talk To Your Kids About Race, Racism& Police Violence WBUR The Brown Bookshelf Talking about Race - National Museum for African American History Learn more: The Impact of Racism on Children’s Health - American Academy of Pediatrics How to be Antiracist & Aspen Ideas Festival Discussion. Dr. Ibram X. Kendi

Village Voices Network members' voices bring good news and share highlights from around our community.

Thanks to the dedication of the Mental Health Awareness Committee we will continue to support opportunities to care for our mental health and wellbeing. Below are Mental Health Efforts that will continue: Children's Mental Health Story Times on Tuesdays @ 6:30-7pm: A collaborative event with Boston Public Library. Book readings and activities focused on Social-Emotional Learning for families with young children! Check out our Story Time Toolkit and email us if you want to partner. Resource Sharing: Follow along on Vital Village Network Facebook and Twitter! Got an event or resource to share? Email us! #VillageInMind #HealingTogether

Infographic Series: Centering on Dignity Now more than ever we need to #StandForDignity. These visual representations are designed to communicate strategies to promote safety , social connections and a widening circle of compassion while honoring everyone's dignity during COVID-19. Download the infographics now available in ENGLISH and SPANISH and share widely!

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COVID-19 Resources Accessible by Visiting and World Virtual Field Trips Maps We created these maps in response to the desire for child enrichment activities at home and a regularly updated map of important basic family needs including food accessibility, shelters, health testing sites, and more. As community needs are shifting, we want to ensure these maps are the most helpful for families. Can you share feedback with us on these maps by answering 2 questions here?

CONtexts - Early Childhood Texts CONtexts (Community Resources On Health Nearby Fun) is a free text messaging service that sends current information, community resources, wellness tips, and family-fun activities right to your phone! To subscribe, just text KIDS to 8-8-5-8-8. With many parents/caregivers are at home with children now that childcare, education centers, and schools temporarily closed, we are seeking input, advisors, and content contributors to make CONtexts into the most supportive resource for you and your family.

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Boston Breastfeeding Coalition

Breastfeeding Warmline Early post-partum? Breastfeeding? Pregnant? The Breastfeeding Warmline is live and our Breastfeeding Counselors are available every day to help. Talk to one of our trained and experienced peer counselors today or share our flyer with a friend! Call: 857-301-8259 Email: Breastfeedingboston@gmail.com

Virtual Baby Cafes Now Available! Stay connected, informed, and supported by your community and trained Breastfeeding Counselors. Check out our website or Facebook to see the full schedule of groups and join!  Breastfeeding Coalition Meeting! Join us on June 18th for the Breastfeeding Coalition Meeting. This meeting will be a COMBINED meeting for the Boston & Springfield Coalitions.

Networks of Opportunity for Child Wellbeing Episode 9 of In the Arena with NOW: From Data to Action: Community Stories Lead to Policy Change. Allison Bovell-Ammon and Dr. Megan Sandel of Children’s HealthWatch (CHW) address question of how we can use data to tell community stories and create actionable change. Also on the role of narratives in advancing equitable policies that improve the health and wellbeing of children and their families. Learn more about In the Arena with NOW!

Community Events Join Vital Village Network partners and other community organizations at these upcoming events. Click event to RSVP or learn more.

June 5th: "I Still Can't Breathe" Supporting Kids of Color Amid Racialized Violence" 8:30pm @ Virtual Webinar Join EMBRACE RACE for a discussion of what conversations about policing, violence, safety, justice, and race should we be having with our children of color?  June 11th: Boston Public Library Childrens Library Pajama Story Time 6:00-6:30pm @ Facebook Live Join Boston Public Library and Children's Library for the Pajama Story Time Party ! Grab your coziest PJs and a favorite stuffed animal, and join Librarian Rebecca for a live-streamed Pajama Story Time for toddlers and preschoolers. June 13th: Breakfast IV Brothers 10:00-11:30am @ Virtual Meeting Breakfast IV Brothers and Massasoit Community College encourages all people to participate . All ages and backgrounds are invited to sit, break bread, and join the virtual conversation! For more information and additional details, contac t Jerome or Jeff ! June 16th: Men Have Feelings Too 8:00-9:00pm @ Virtual Panel DeeDee's Cry provides information and resources about mental wellness in communities of color. Men Have Feelings Too will be an all-male panel discussion about being a son, father, brother, uncle, mentor, community member, and the mental effects that these roles play. RSVP today! June 25th: Can We Talk Conference Call 6:30pm @ Conference Call Cory Johnson Program For Post-Traumatic Healing is hosting a "Can We Talk Conference Call". Share your voice if you're experiencing trauma or loss and let's heal together. More information available here!

Check out more community events on our Website  and Facebook.

Opportunities Check out job, volunteer, and grant opportunities available in our community.

JOBS: Community Organizer, Nuestra Communidad Development Corporation Nuestra aims to increase the social and economic power of individuals and families in its community through education, economic development and resident programming that foster a safe, vibrant and culturally diverse community with affordable housing. See job description and apply today! Housing Counseling Manager, Nuestra Communidad Development Corporation Nuestra aims to increase the social and economic power of individuals and families in its community through education, economic development and resident programming that foster a safe, vibrant and culturally diverse community with affordable housing. See job description and apply today! Kitchen Staff, EatWell Meal Kits EatWell Meal Kits  makes tasty, affordable meal kits for happy families and healthy communities. Are you passionate about improving healthy food access in your community? Join EatWell's Production Team, and be part of the kitchen staff assembling meal kits! Contact Dan for more info and to apply! BCYF SuccessLink Youth Employment Program BCYF provides a variety of summer employment and engagement opportunities for Youth ages 15-18. Learn more about the jobs and apply here! ABCD SummerWorks ABCD SummerWorks provides a variety of summer employment and engagement opportunities for 14-21. Learn more about the jobs and apply here! Trainings: Women on the Rise 2020: Reimagining Equity in Boston Post-COVID-19 Please join YW Boston for a virtual webinar this Wednesday, June 3rd at 4:00 (ET) “Women on the Rise: Reimagining Equity in Boston Post-COVID-19.” This pandemic has made clear that our inequitable policies and responses are worsening existing disparities. We have the opportunity, and a responsibility, to envision a better and more equitable Boston. This is important for communities of color, especially women of color, who have primarily experienced this crisis at the frontlines with a variety of challenges. Learn more and register today! Mass Association Health Workers Webinar for Tips and Answers for Getting Certified! Did you know that less than 10% of Community Health Workers in Massachusetts have applied for certification? Join Mass Association Health Workers June 18 from 11:00am - 12:00pm EST for an interactive conversation discussing the specific barriers CHWs face to getting certified, and be a part of the solutions. Register here! Weekly Virtual Parent Support Group Please join the Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester for free weekly Virtual Parent/Caregiver Group Sessions every Tuesday at 12:00pm! Build your support network, connect with peer parents/caregivers, learn new skills, and receive resources. Show up as you are, stay as long as you can. Register here. Scholarship: Undergraduate Nurses Scholarship, Cape Verdean Nurses Association The Cape Verdean Nurses Association is now accepting applications for their Undergraduate Nurses Scholarship for 2020.Please check out the website for more information about the criteria of the Scholarship.

Scoop on the Stats Explore data related to child and family well-being.

Mental health affects the overall health and well-being of children and families across the country. When fathers have the supports they need to thrive, they are powerful allies for maternal and child health.This infographic from NICHQ shows the importance of father involvement and supporting their mental health.

Sharing Technology Explore technology related to child and family well-being.

NEW   Abundance App  3.0 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  Let's Get Counted: 2020 U.S. Census There's still time to get counted! The 2020 Census will help decide how much money communities will get for areas that impact the everyday lives of children - schools, child care and early learning, health insurance and medical care, food & housing assistance, and more. (Source: Count All Kids ) We want to hear what the 2020 Census means to you and your community.  Share your story with us today!

For COVID-19 Family Support We All Need Help Sometimes Support your own mental health and the mental health of your neighbors by checking out and sharing the Mass.Gov ,  Mass 2-1-1 ,  Family Resource Centers MA , and  Network of Care Massachusetts materials about resources that are available to anyone in need of help during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Call 2-1-1 for resources regarding parent/family support, clothing/household items, physical health, crisis lines/helplines, food/meals, mental health, substance abuse treatment, housing/utilities or domestic violence situations. Languages Available: English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, European Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese.

Our Mission Vital Village is a network of residents and agencies committed to maximizing child, family, and community wellbeing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stay Connected ‌ ‌ Have an event, job opportunity, or resource to share with the network? Complete this  form !