"To be a leader of all, you need to be the servant to all."
— Benjamin Buggs, 2022 Unsung Hero Awardee
"To be a leader, you must be able to love, serve, connect, and build trust within yourself and others."
— Dominique Bellegarde, 2022 Unsung Hero Awardee
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Network members' voices bring good news and share highlights from around our community | |
Beloved Community,
At Vital Village Networks, we remain dedicated to our mission of fostering community-driven solutions to promote health, equity, and justice. During this time of transition in our national government, we are steadfast in our commitment to address social and structural injustices, to value and honor our shared humanity, uphold human dignity, defend human rights, and lean into deep listening and authentic relationships. Together, we will continue the work to build a just world and ensure an equitable future is the birthright of every child, standing by our core values with resolve.
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Support our Giving Tuesday Campaign: Together, We Thrive | |
This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to join us in building healthier, more connected, and equitable communities for children and families. Together We Thrive embodies our shared commitment to uplift one another, recognizing that we're all a part of a larger community of change makers. Our goal this Giving Tuesday is to reach our highest participation ever. Your contribution, regardless of amount or type of service, is vital to the power of our collective. Donate to Together We Thrive and become part of this journey toward equity and justice. Together, we are more than the sum of our individual efforts - we are a community united by purpose, a flourishing movement fueled by hope. | |
Connect with Vital Village Networks at these upcoming events | |
Save the Date! December Network Connection Meeting
Monday, December 16th | 5:30 - 7:30 pm ET
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Join us for an exciting evening of celebration as we honor five extraordinary community members who have been selected to receive the 2024 Unsung Hero Awards from Vital Village Networks at the December 16th Network Connection Meeting, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm ET. We will also highlight some of the incredible projects that the Village has been working on this year, including the Housing Justice Data Workgroup and recent graduates of the Social Justice Mediation Institute Training! Please join us in person or virtually on Zoom. If you will require language justice services or childcare, please register at least one week in advance. | |
NOW Webinar: Building Community Power through Food and Education Systems Transformation
Thursday, December 5th | 1:00 pm ET on Zoom
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Throughout the year, we've explored the critical question: What does it look like to harness, activate and build community power? What can we learn from resident-led advocacy movements and their strategies toward self-advocacy, collective action, and legislative change? Join us on Thursday, December 5th at 1:00 pm ET for our closing webinar of the year to learn from local leaders who are centering healing and community power sharing by transforming food and education systems. Featured speakers include Ashley Rouse, Executive Director at The Edible Schoolyard Project, and Tailor Coble, FoodPrints Early Childhood Program Manager at FRESHFARM. | |
Check out available resources to children and families | |
BMC Hybrid Baby Café
Mondays from 4:30 - 6:00 pm ET | 725 Albany Street, 5th Floor
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The Boston Breastfeeding Coalition is thrilled to host an in-person Baby Café, every Monday from 4:30 - 6:00 pm ET, at the Centering Pregnancy Room in the Shapiro Building at Boston Medical Center.
This is a welcoming space for parents and caregivers to connect, learn, and share their experiences. Lactation counseling, prenatal breastfeeding education, and parenting support are all offered. This is a hybrid event, and interested parties can register to participate virtually at the Zoom link below.
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In the Arena with NOW: Listen to Episodes 1 & 2 | |
The first two episodes of season 3 feature long-time Vital Village Networks leaders and founding circle member, Josette Williams. As director of Boston Public Schools' innovative Countdown to Kindergarten program, Josette asks us to rethink the often-asked question, "Who has a seat at the table?" and consider the historical and systemic processes that shape who has access and opportunity to decision making power within communities. We learn about critical strategies to engage parents in processes to develop city priorities and embed restorative justice practices within family-facing systems and institutions. Tine in to hear Josette highlight the important roles that we all play in the movement to transform and build collective community care. | |
December Children's Mental Health Storytimes
Thursdays from 3:30 - 4:00 pm ET | Zoom
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Join Vital Village Networks and the Boston Public Library for weekly My’Self’ in the World Children’s Storytimes, Thursdays from 3:30 - 4pm ET on Zoom. Plus, access the pre-recorded Storytime for December 26th on the Vital Village Calendar and through the Eventrbrite registration page linked below. | |
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Events, resources, and opportunities by our partners and community organizations | |
Boston Common Tree Lighting
The City of Boston
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The City of Boston and guests from the Province of Nova Scotia are hosting the 83rd annual tree lighting ceremony! Bring your family for refreshments, music, and giveaways. Shortly before 8:00 pm, Mayor Michelle Wu will light both parks! No registration required. Learn more here. | |
Date & Time:
Thursday, December 5, 2024 | 6:00 - 8:00 pm ET
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Location:
Boston Common
139 Tremont St | Boston, MA 02116
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Survivors Awareness Month Memorial Balloon Release
Boston Public Library
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Come together in community to honor and remember loved ones affected by neighborhood violence at this event hosted by Mothers for Justice and Equity, with support from organizations dedicated to promoting healing and resilience. Families can write a heartfelt message on a biodegradable balloon and release it in the air to symbolize hope and healing. Refreshments will be provided. Learn more and register. | |
Date & Time:
Saturday, December 7, 2024 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm ET
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Location:
Walker Playground
550 Norfolk St | Mattapan, MA 02126
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Personal Budgeting Event through Boston Public Libraries
Boston Public Library & City of Boston Credit Union | Free Virtual Event
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Join the City of Boston Credit Union for a personal budgeting workshop. In the program, they will cover some of the basics of personal finance such as establishing/maintaining a budget, credit building and repair, debt repayment, and establishing savings goals. Learn more here and RSVP to attend. | |
Date & Time:
Tuesday December 10, 2024 |
11:00 am - 12:00 pm ET
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Webinar: Communities Strengthening Themselves
Brazelton Touchpoints Center | Free Virtual Event
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In this webinar, a part of the series “A Family-to-Family Real Talk Conversation”, hosted by Brazelton Touchpoints Center, listen to conversations with various community members touching on unique visions, wisdom, and resources to address challenges that children, families, and communities face. Learn more here and RSVP to attend this free event. | |
Date & Time:
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 |
3:00 - 4:30 pm ET
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BPS School Showcase
Boston Public Schools
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Are you looking to enroll your young one in school next year? Or perhaps you are interested in what schools are available in your area. Meet all of the BPS schools under one roof to get your questions answered and learn more about what they have to offer! Learn more here - no registration required! | |
Date & Time:
Saturday, December 14, 2024 | 9:00 am - 3:00 pm ET
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Location:
Bruce Bolling Building
2300 Washington St | Boston, MA 02119
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Check out job, volunteer, and grant opportunities available in our community | |
Job Opening: Guest Support Services (Operator Services)
Boston Medical Center
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Under supervision of Support Services Leadership, the employee will operate the hospital’s telephone paging, alert, and contingency recall systems. They will help provide patient, program, and staff related information to the general public, patients, and hospital staff. They will also maintain on-call and rotation scheduling for clinical staff and help provide information to visitors. Learn more about the opportunity and apply here. | |
Job Opening: Municipal Protective Services Security Officer
City of Boston
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The mission of the City of Boston Property Management Department (PMD) is to manage, maintain, repair, and provide security for the City's municipal buildings, including City Hall and Faneuil Hall, to preserve the useful life of city facilities and reduce operating costs through effective preventative maintenance measures. To learn more about the position and application process, click here. | |
Volunteer Positions Available: 129th Boston Marathon
Boston Athletic Association
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Volunteering positions for the 129th annual Boston Marathon will become open and available. Positions include pre-race preparation, 3-day expo for handing out materials, and volunteering on the race day itself, April 21st. Visit this site to learn more and apply when applications open. | |
Learn D.R.I.V.E., Business Mastery, and More - Free Webinar
Online REI Education for Life
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Join for a focused webinar that tackles essential skills for personal and professional success: conflict resolution, influence, and communication. This session is designed for anyone looking to effectively manage conflicts, extend their influence, and communicate more effectively in both their personal lives and professional environments. Learn more and register for free on Eventbrite. | |
Affordable Housing as the Foundation for Solutions | |
Homelessness in Greater Boston reflects systemic housing challenges rather than isolated individual struggles. The primary driver of being unhoused is the severe shortage of affordable housing. Addressing this crisis requires shifting focus from short-term fixes to long-term structural solutions that honor the humanity of every community member. | |
Key Insights
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Affordable Housing Shortage: Limited affordable housing optoins, coupled with an economic boom outpacing housing development, leave families with modest incomes at risk of being unhoused.
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Disconnect in Solutions: Policies prioritize emergency shelters over tackling deeper barriers, such as restrictive zoning laws that stifle affordable housing development.
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Vacancy Rates and Homelessness: Dats shows a strong link between low rental vacancy rates and rising homelessness, underscoring the urgency of expanding housing supply
Strength-Based Solutions
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Accelerate Affordable Housing Development: Promote construction of diverse, low-cost housing options to address demand.
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Reform Zoning and Land Use Policies: Simplify regulations to reduce barriers and encourage affordable housing projects.
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Bolster Emergency Rental Assistance: Provide robust, accessible support to families at risk of eviction.
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Integrate Support Services: Pair housing efforts with mental health, substance misuse recovery, and financial counseling programs to tackle root causes.
By addressing structural barriers and scaling proven solutions, Greater Boston can build a pathway to stable housing for all. This crisis is solvable with collective, systemic action.
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Fig. 2
Reference:
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Homelessness in Greater Boston. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bostonindicators.org/reports/report-detail-pages/homelessness_and_housing
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Vital Village Networks is a network of residents and agencies committed to maximizing child, family, and community well-being. | | | | |