Volume 12, Issue 9: September, 2025

"The fact that our legal system has become so tolerant of police lying indicates how corrupt our criminal justice system has become by declarations of war, 'get tough' mantras, and a seemingly insatiable appetite for locking up and locking out the poorest and darkest among us." Michelle Alexander

Dear Valued Community Member,

Thank you for your continued community and readership of our local Boston Network Connector Newsletter. In this edition, you will find featured stories from our VVN community, upcoming in-network events, opportunities in our community, and our monthly research highlight, the scoop on the stats.

• MHC Spotlight-Cheryl Joseph
• Guiding Principles from the Food Systems
• Network Events
• Events and Opportunities
• Scoop on the Stats

Mental Health Committee Member Spotlight: Cheryl Jean

Cheryl shares that, “I hope that my work inspires young women, women, and individuals to support your community.” Community is an important aspect to her work, in that it is unifying, encouraging togetherness. She reflects on a person’s sense of community changing throughout their life and experiences, but that you always belong in one, and it is important to cultivate it and make it the best it can be. Her own inspiration is derived from everything she does but particularly from her two sons Reginald and James - she hopes to show them, and everyone,

that “you can do anything you want. The world is yours.”

Read the full article here.

Cheryl Jean, MS | Director, Lower Roxbury Coalition Wellness Initiative | Cheryl.Jean@lrcoalition.org | 617-516-4160

New Resource: Spanish Edition of Collective Recommendations and Guiding Principles and Practice from 2022 Community Food Systems Fellows

Vital Village Networks is excited to share that Centering Community Leadership and Power for an Equitable, Sustainable, & Just Food System is now fully available in Spanish. Originally developed by our 2022 Community Food Systems Fellows—a national cohort of grassroots leaders—this roadmap offers strategies to address systemic barriers, uplift local traditions and innovations, and center those most impacted by inequities. These collective recommendations aim to move communities from margin to center, fostering equitable, resilient, and community-powered food systems across Turtle Island.

Access the resource here.

Vital Village Networks National Community Leadership Summit

October 23 -24 | Boston, MA

Register for the 12th Annual National Community Leadership Summit in Boston, MA! This year we will gather for the two-day summit, October 23 -24, themed Unwavering Resistance: An Invitation to Beloved Community. Join us for the event as we collectively heal ourselves and our communities, learn and grow our strategies for justice, and find and live in moments of joy. 

Register here.

Take the Biennial Local Network Survey!

Share your thoughts and experiences in our Vital Village Network-Wide survey. Your feedback is essential as we work to strengthen and enhance Vital village Network experiences, resources, and opportunities. The survey takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and al responses are confidential and anonymous. Individuals who complete the survey by September 30, 2025, will receive a 10% discount code for registration to the 2025 National Community Leadership Summit

Take the survey here.

September Network Connection Meeting - Back to School: Community Connections for Thriving Families

Monday, September 15th | 5:30 - 7:30 pm ET | Hybrid Meeting

In person location: Boston Medical Center, FGH Building, 820 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118



Join us for an inspiring evening focused on strengthening child wellbeing and building connections as we prepare for the new school year. Connect with other families, discover programs and resources from The Basics Boston and Countdown to Kindergarten, and share community wisdom about supporting child and family wellness in our communities.

Experience highlights from the National Community Leadership Summit, engage in peer discussions, and contribute your voice to building the village our children need to thrive. All families welcome - childcare provided, Spanish and Haitian interpretation available

Register here.

September Peer Learning Cluster - Save the Date!

Tuesday, September 16th | 2:00 - 3:30 pm ET | Zoom



The Peer Learning Cluster is hosting its third workshop in their 2025 Advocacy and Community Leadership Series, Community Engagement and Decolonizing Grant Writing! Save the Date for September 16, 2025, from 2:00 - 3:30 pm ET. Participants will have the opportunity to share and explore effective community engagement strategies that move us toward doing “with” community instead of doing “to” or “for” community, and specifically explore alternative approaches to funding relationships and models that center community-led work.

Register here.

My 'Self' in the World Children's Mental Health Story Times with the Boston Public Library

Virtual Story Times: Thursdays from 3:30 - 4:00 pm ET on Zoom | In person dates, times, and locations vary:



Vital Village Networks and the Boston Public Library partner to offer Children's Mental Health Story Times both on Zoom and at your local libraries across Boston. Join us for live readings, reflections, songs, activities, and more! Story times are intended for children ages 3-8 years old, however older and younger siblings are welcome to join the fun! We require a caregiver to attend with their child.

September dates and times are:

• 9/4 | 3:30 - 4:00 pm ET | Virtual with Librarian Chris on Zoom
• 9/8 | 10:30 - 11:00 am ET | In person with Librarian Ashely at the North End Branch location
• 9/11 | Pre-recorded offering, access the video recording on YouTube here.
• 9/18 | 3:30 - 4:00 pm ET | Virtual with Librarian Chris on Zoom
• 9/24 | 10:30 - 11:00 am ET | In person with Librarian Ritse at the Lower Mills Branch location
• 9/25 | 11:00 - 11:30 am ET | In person with Librarian Josh at the Mattapan Branch location
• 9/25 | 3:30 - 4:00 pm ET | Virtual with Librarian Angela on Zoom
• 9/29 | 10:30 - 11:00 am ET | In person with Librarian Angela at the Grove Hall Branch location

Learn more and see full address info on the VVN website calendar.

Register here for remote sessions on Zoom.

Data Storytelling Office Hours

Wednesdays | 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET | By appointment on Zoom



Sign up for free, 1:1 Data Storytelling Office Hours and build your capacity to create and share stories that support social change using data tools. This learning opportunity is open to all!

Learn more and reserve your spot here.

Open House at IBA's Early Education Program

Thursday September 4th | 5:30 - 6:30 pm ET | 100 West Dedham St. Boston, MA



Explore the IBA welcoming facility, meet their amazing staff, and learn about the IBA Boston Pre-K classroom. Open to the whole family! Light refreshments provided.

Learn more here.

Volunteer at the East Boston Kindergarten Parade & Backpack Giveaway

Friday September 5th | 9:00 am - 12:30 pm ET



The East Boston Parade is a wonderful community event that brings together families, businesses, community organizations and neighbors from all around East Boston. This is an event filled with fun activities for children to engage in, raging from school readiness activities to bubble making, as well as an outdoor picnic. First-time Kindergartners will also receive their official Countdown to Kindergarten backpack, sponsored by Cradles to Crayons, full of fun supplies to start the new school year at BPS.

Learn more here.

The Joy of Kayaking 2024 | The American City Coalition

Saturday September 6th | 10:00 am - 3:00 pm ET



A free celebration of Black Joy. Day full on-land and on-water activities for the whole family, including kayaking, face paint, pedicab rides, museum entry (Boston Children's Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art), food, and ice cream. Registration is required!

Learn more and get your free tickets here.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill" is a U.S. federal law enacted by the 119th Congress, comprising tax and spending policies, was signed into law on July 4th, 2025. It features substantial tax cuts for certain groups and boosts spending on border security, defense, and energy. Funding for these measures is achieved through significant reductions in healthcare and nutrition programs, including Medicaid and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

Major Components of the Bill:

• Work Requirements: According to House and Senate proposals, able bodied individuals aged 19 to 64 applying for Medicaid or enrolled through the ACA expansion must work or participate in qualifying activities for 80 hours per month.
• Increasing State Cost Burden: States with SNAP error rates above 6% must now pay up to 15% of benefit costs and cover 75% of administrative costs, up from 50/50.
• Adjunctive Eligibility: Policies that limit SNAP and Medicaid eligibility will then indirectly affect WIC, requiring the families to prove an alternative form of income which they may not have.

Taking Action:

• Many organizations such as the National WIC Association, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and several state's Attorney General are taking action...
• Greater Boston has many locations for both SNAP and WIC. These approved grocery sites across the Greater Boston area include a wide range of major supermarket chains to local corner stores and farmer's markets.
• Below is a map from the abundanceboston.com website and app that accept EBT cards for SNAP purchases and WIC EBT cards or paper checks approved for certain WIC item

Map:

References:

1. DiAntonio, A. (2025, June 10). Medicaid Work Requirements in Republicans’ So-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” are a Declaration of War on Working Families - National Health Law Program. National Health Law Program. https://healthlaw.org/medicaid-work-requirements-in-republicans-so-called-one-big-beautiful-bill-are-a-declaration-of-war-on-working-families/
2. Konish, L. (2025, July 2). Congress’ “big beautiful” bill proposes new Medicaid work requirements. Here’s what to know. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/25/congress-big-beautiful-bill-proposes-new-medicaid-work-requirements.html
3. Gupta, P., & Waxman, E. (2025, July 16). Cuts to SNAP in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Would Widen the Persistent Gap between Benefits and Food Costs. Urban Institute. https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/cuts-snap-one-big-beautiful-bill-act-would-widen-persistent-gap-between-benefits-and
4. National WIC Association condemns Senate passage of budget reconciliation package. (n.d.). National WIC Association. https://www.nwica.org/press-releases/national-wic-association-raises-concerns-over-senate-passage-of-budget-reconciliation-package
5. One big beautiful Bill Law Summary. (n.d.). ASTHO. https://www.astho.org/advocacy/federal-government-affairs/leg-alerts/2025/one-big-beautiful-bill-law-summary/

Stay connected and explore more of our engagement pathways and opportunities across Vital Village Networks programming. You can view upcoming events and opportunities through the gallery snapshot below, by following us on social media, or keeping up with our website calendar and Linktree.