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Network members' voices bring good news and share highlights from
around our community.
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Read the
Child Perspective Blog by Cathy Luo, Vital Village AmeriCorps VISTA Community Mobilization Coordinator. Hear from children in our Village about their hopes and experiences, and be sure to check out the poll at the end!
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Vital Village Community Champion and BMC Patient Navigator,
Smith Lamothe (pictured above with his mother), was featured in the
Boston Globe speaking on the role of healthcare workers in protecting the health and wellbeing of Black lives. Smith shared powerful words with his colleagues on June 11th as healthcare workers across Massachusetts joined in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
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“This isn’t a white fight or a Black fight. The truth of the matter is this a human condition fight, and we need to come together. We are in this together."
- Smith Lamothe
Vital Village Community Champion
Boston Medical Center Patient Navigator
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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.
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Network Events
Connect with Vital Village Network at these upcoming events. Click
event to RSVP or learn more
.
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Tuesdays July 14, 21 & 28, 6:00-7:30pm
From your computer or smartphone!
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Saturdays July 11, July 17 and August 7, 9:30am-12:30pm, Online
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Call or email the Warmline:
857-301-8259
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Community Events
Join Vital Village Network partners and other community organizations at these upcoming events. Click event to RSVP or learn more.
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10:00-11:30am, @ Online - Register for Zoom information
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1:00-3:00pm, @ Online - Register for meeting information
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1:00pm-2:00pm, @ Online - Register to receive meeting information
Thursday July 16, 23 &30, 3:00pm-4:30pm, @ Online - Register to receive meeting information
The Health Justice Academy from
Healthcare For All is a
free training curriculum for advocates, community leaders, community members, and health care / social service providers seeking a better understanding of how to advance health justice and protect access to coverage and care for MA residents in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath.
Register here!
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7:00-8:30pm, @ Online - Register to receive meeting info
Join DeeDee's Cry's month-long series Black Mental Health Matters. On July 18th,
DeeDee's Cry presents Journalism and Mental Health featuring Boston 25's Crystal Haynes, James W. Hills of Java with Jimmy and more. Discussion moderated by Dr. Brandy Brooks and hosted by Robin Saunders.
Register here!
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7:00pm-8:30pm, @ Online - Register to receive meeting information
3:00pm-4:00pm, @ Online - Register to receive meeting information
This event hosted by
NAMI DMR SAN brings the community together to share experiences in order to help increase mental health awareness in African American communities by addressing a number of important topics related to signs and symptoms of various mental health conditions.
Click here to register!
Tuesdays, 2:00pm-3:00pm, @ Online - Register to receive meeting information
- July 14th Menstruation During The Pandemic cofacilitation with Bria Gadson of Love Your Menses.
- July 21st Maternal Health Legislation Updates & Action cofacilitation with Tierney Flaherty, Intergovernmental Relations @ BPHC
- July 28th Herbal Remedy Workshop with Nneka Hall CAN & Planning Committee Member.
- August 4th Growing Greatness (Urban Gardening & Growing Techniques)
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Opportunities
Check out job, volunteer, and grant opportunities available in our
community.
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JOBS:
Meaningful employment opportunities available to Boston youth ages 15 to 18 in a wide variety of job fields like the arts, government & advocacy, STEM, sports & recreation, childcare, education, and more.
Learn more and apply for a summer position here!
Roles: Provide homework help and mentorship to students in grades K-8; Attend trainings to build your problem solving skills; Work with other mentors and librarians to make library branches a safe and fun place for children. Must be in
grades 10-12, maintain a 3.0 GPA or above, and be able to work a
minimum of two shifts per week from September 21, 2020-May 14, 2021. Bilingual teens are especially encouraged to apply.
Learn more about the
program here
and
complete the application here
!
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Resource Connector
Learn more about resources relevant to children and families in our community from our community.
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Every Saturday, 10:00am-1:00pm, @ Corner of Cummins Hwy & Fairway
Hosted by the
Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition (MFFC), the Mattapan Square Farmers Market is not only a place to purchase healthy food, but also serves as a place to bring residents together and as a resource for health education and other social issues. SNAP and HIP benefits, WIC farmers' market coupons, and Senior Farmers Market coupons are accepted!
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Click the images to learn more about visiting farmers markets during COVID-19.
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Have questions about requirements for submitting Interim Reports and Recertification paperwork for SNAP and other cash benefits? Check out
this resource from MassLegal Services with information on what and when to submit to renew benefits.
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Connections and Healing:
Thursdays, 6:30pm-8:00pm @ Virtual - Register to receive meeting information
hare your thoughts and feelings about whatever you are going through - personally and as part of the larger community. This is a safe space to share about trauma, loss, and grief - whether it be from personal losses, racism and historical/systemic trauma, or COVID-19.
Visit the event page for Zoom meeting information.
Next Meeting: July 17, 6:30pm-8:00pm, @ Virtual - Register to receive meeting information
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For Children:
Sign up for the Virtual Summer Program with
Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester
! Space will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. These activities will run from the week of July 13th-August 21st.
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.
Learn more and apply for a FREE sitter here!
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Virtual info workshops:
Wed July 15, 12- 1pm (en Español)
Sat July 18, 11am-12pm
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Emergency financial assistance for local Minority and Women Owned entities in Greater Boston. The MWBE Contractor Relief Fund will offer a one-time relief grant of up to $2,500 to qualified contractors who have been sidelined due to COVID-19.
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Other Resources for Boston COVID-19 Response:
Mayor’s Health Line:
617-534-5050
City of Boston Non-Emergency Line:
3-1-1
MA Non-emergency helpline:
2-1-1 or call 1-877-211-MASS
>> Deaf/Hearing Impaired:
508-370-4890 TTY
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Scoop on the Stats
Explore data related to child and family well-being.
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How are child care centers ensuring the safety of children and families? As child care begins to reopen across the state, here is some info from the
Massachusetts Dept of Early Education and Care
on what to expect at your child care center.
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Masks & physical distancing required at all times
during drop-off and pick-up.
Staggered drop-off and pick-up times
to minimize crowds.
Visual screening during drop-off
& affirmation that child & members of the household are symptom-free.
For the most part, caregivers will not be allowed to enter
to keep space clean.
Transportation may be available
. Children will be screened before boarding vehicle.
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What to Expect During Drop-off
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Circle & nap time
will happen at a distance.
Groups will not mix
and will stay the same each day.
Staff are trained in
safe food handling
.
Face masks not required
, but encouraged when there is prolonged close contact.
Individual play stations & sensory bins
instead of communal
Outdoor play, small group playground time, and sprinkler fun
encouraged!
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Related Resources and Events
Join US Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and experts for a conversation centering on the voices and experiences of Black mothers.
Register here!
Articles:
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Sharing Technology
Explore technology related to child and family well-being.
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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!
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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
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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
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Have an event, job opportunity, or resource to share with the network?
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