 Village Voices
Network members' voices bring good news and share highlights from around our community.
Gaining Momentum: Residents launch local mental health initiatives
In this blog post, our AmeriCorps VISTA member Mesa reflects on the month-long
Our Voices, Our Stories Mental Health Awareness Campaign. The campaign, led by residents, aimed to expand community perception of mental health and to serve as a springboard to launch community-led mental health initiatives. Check out the blog
here and read 31 positive metal health practices, shared from our community, on our
Facebook page.
Certificate Students Celebrate Graduation
Data Workgroup Wins at Reentry Hackathon
Members of our Data Workgroup recently attended the Second Chance & Reentry Week Hackathon where residents convened to co-create solutions to address Boston's most salient re-entry challenges. Data Workgroup members collaborated with other community-based organizations to develop the idea for a phone app which catalogs CORI-friendly landlords and housing sponsors. To learn more, please reach out to mesa.merritt@bmc.org.
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 Network Events
Connect with Vital Village Network at these upcoming events. Click event to RSVP or learn more.
5:30-6:00pm
-
Network Meet-Up, an intentional space for relationship building & networking.
6:00-8:00pm -
Vital Village's graduates, their mentors, and other Network members who are pushing boundaries of leadership, like Propa City are coming together to celebrate and lift up local advocates for children & families in Boston. Join us to share your stories of leadership and leveling up!
6/12 6-7:30pm & 6/25 4:30-6:00
We are hosting two Childcare and
feedback sessions during the month of June. Feedback sessions are intended for caregivers who have RSVP'd for childcare and/or used childcare and CONtexts subscribers. The purpose of these sessions is to (1) gain a deeper understanding of childcare needs and experiences of caregivers/parents who have used childcare in the network and (2) get feedback on CONtexts content.
6:00-8:00pm -
We invite you to reflect back on the past 5 years of SJMP and weigh on in SJMP service-learning opportunities. Your voice will help shape the next steps of our initiative.
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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.
12:00 -1:30pm @ UU Urban Ministry at First Church in Roxbury
Boston Alliance for Young Children's Social Emotional Wellness meets monthly for resource sharing and networking focused around early childhood and family topics. The meetings are open to all who care for, serve and support children ages 0-8
10:00 - 3:00pm @ Boston Children's Museum
Join the Boston Alliance for Young Children's Social Emotional Wellness (BAYCSEW) for Early Childhood Mental Health Family Engagement Day! Enjoy resources, activities, and a free day at the museum. Families must pre-register to attend.
10:00 am @ Emerson College
Tide (Teenage Identity and Diversity Education) is a one day gathering of of artists, media makers, and community organizers from Greater Boston. The event brings together young leaders working to create positive change to share best practices and deepen connections. All registrants must currently be enrolled in high school.
Various Boston Public Schools
Boston Public Schools is hosting Welcome Sessions for families starting in years K-8 in the fall to see what their knew school has to offer. Visit your new school to meet staff, ask questions, and prepare your family to start the school year right.
Simmons University
Hosted by Boston Public Schools, the conference will showcase practices for educators working with students Pre-K through second grade.
9:00 - 2:00pm @ Dr. Loesch Family Park
Brought to you by
Propa City Community Outreach,
Family Restoration Day is a day of family fun while
advocating for community healing. Join them as they
restore the meaning of family!
4:00pm-7:00pm @ Northeastern Crossing
Celebrate the start of the summer with interactive story-sharing activities, a live DJ, Afrofuturistic fashion performances, and Pan African cuisine from Suya Joint.
8:30 to 10:30 @ Boston Exhibition & Convention Center
Do you support families with housing instability or utility needs? Or respond to a request for medical certifications? If so, join the Medical Legal Partnership of Boston for the launch of a 6-month Learning Community. Email Erica Pike to learn more about the Learning Community opportunity.
Boston Medical Center Test Kitchen & Rooftop Garden
Register now for Boston Medical Center's Culinary Summer Camp for Kids, open to all children of BMC patients and staff. Camp attendees will learn how to prepare easy and nutritious recipes using ingredients harvested from their local rooftop garden.
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Opportunities
Check out job, volunteer, and grant opportunities available in our community.
JOBS
The Community Coordinator will lead the daily activities of Operation P.E.A.C.E Learning Center in Codman Square. Their responsibilities will include creating and implementing youth development plans, building partnerships with community organizations, determining community needs, and data documentation.
The Citywide Coordinator will work closely with partners to oversee the infrastructure that supports family engagement, parents as their child's first teacher, and high quality early learning experiences for children throughout the city.
Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative is seeking a new Executive Director to oversee their overall strategy, business, and operations. They will be responsible for leading staff, community volunteers, and strategic partners toward achievement of DSNI's mission.
Calling all 16-17 year old interested in health care! Boston Medical Center volunteer services is inviting youth to a unique opportunity to volunteer, meet with Boston Medical Center leaders, gain insight into various departments, and learn more about careers in healthcare.
Hosted by the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition,
the Mattapan on Wheels Bike Ride tours Mattapan
and neighboring communities to encourage residents to get active and make Mattapan a more biking-friendly community. The success of the race depends volunteers like you: they are currently seeking volunteers to help with technical support, music, and race operations.
BMC Center for the Urban Child & Family Feedback and Design
Tuesday, June 4th
at 6:00 - 8:00PM or Saturday, June 8
th
at 11:00AM - 1:00PM hosted at 72 E Concord Street, 1
st
floor, room L109. Food and child care will be provided along with a small stipend.
Please reach out
Carey Howard
with any questions.
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 Resource Connector
Learn more about resources relevant to children and families in our community
from our community.
You Have What it Takes! Tool
Infants and toddlers may not have a voice in legislative processes, but you do! You have what it takes to be an effective advocate for children and their families. This tool from Zero to Three helps you identify the the skills you already have that make you a great advocate and guides you as you turn those skills into action. Check it out to
Become a Big Voice for Little Kids!
Summer Enrichment Tips for Caregivers 
School may be about to end for the summer but that doesn't mean learning needs to slow down! Check out these
Summer Learning Fun tips for parents and caregivers from the
National Center on After School and Summer Enrichment. The resource has advice for learning both at home and at childcare programs and tips to prepare for summer learning before vacation officially starts. Read on for meaningful engagement activities for the whole summer!
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 Scoop on the Stats
Explore data related to child and family well-being.
Academic-community partnerships for adult learners are an important and underutilized opportunity for social change. In order to increase the availability of accessible opportunities for adult learners, Vital Village partnered with Urban College of Boston to develop a course that would extend beyond the walls of the classroom, benefiting both individuals and communities. Look here for more information on our efforts to reduce inequities for adult learners or join us at the June Network Connection Meeting when Certificate students will present their amazing work!
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 Sharing Technology
Explore technology related to child and family well-being.
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!
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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