Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Newsletter
July 2020
Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Members Recognized as CHEER Champions of the Week
“Service is my love language, it makes me feel really good to be able to help someone and to see that they feel special and honored in that moment.
Breastfeeding is a vulnerable part of motherhood and I want to be there to coach, cheer, and support moms through that time until they achieve their goals.” 
– Dominique Bellegarde
“I sought membership of the Boston Breastfeeding Coalition to further engage myself within the breastfeeding community with hopes to push advocacy and awareness in MA. Through this, I met many amazing members of Vital Village who have taken me under their wing and provided the spaces for our work and passion to reach the masses.” --Charlene Fraser .
CHILD WELLBEING SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT
As COVID-19 continues to impact families in unique ways, your voice will help ensure we continue to meet the needs of the community.
For families that are expecting or have children ages 0-11 please share your feedback by completing our Child Wellbeing Support Community Needs Assessment
Seeking breastfeeding support? Check out our 6 virtual breastfeeding support groups and WARMLINE!
Breastfeeding Counselors are available every day to help. Call today for support from our trained & experienced peers.

 CALL: 857-301-8259
Stay connected, informed, and supported by your community. Virtual breastfeeding support groups and Baby Cafes are held throughout the week.
Check out our website to register and join!

Coalition Happenings
AUGUST BREASTFEEDING COALITION MEETING
Thursday, August 6th @ 12pm ET || RSVP

MOVING FROM IDEAS TO ACTION - ACHIEVING EQUITY DURING WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK

REVIVE, RESTORE,
RECLAIM!


Celebrate Black Breastfeeding Week with us!
August 25th-31st. Calendar of events coming soon!
Are you a Breastfeeding Scholar who is looking to connect with other Scholars?
Join the private Facebook Group just for Breastfeeding Scholars - a centralized location to stay updated on CERP offerings, scholarship opportunities, network with peers, and share and find resources.

Opportunities
Leadership & Engagement

Seeking virtual peer counseling opportunities? Our WARMLINE is seeking volunteers who have completed a l actation counseling training and have experience as peer counselors .

The Charlestown Family Engagement Network is seeking volunteers to help facilitate a new breastfeeding support group, Beautiful Baby of Charlestown for Charlestown Families.
Scholarships & Funding Opportunities
Rising Tide Lactation Equity Scholarship program, designed to increase the number of Black IBCLCs in the United States. We recognize one of the greatest obstacles to entry into the field is access, specifically demonstrated by financial barriers. LER will remove that barrier for Rising Tide Scholarship awardees.
Feature
Listen to Yourself, Your Body, and Your Baby
Carmen shares her reflections on breastfeeding her two girls


Encouraging Families Through Our Collective Stories.
 Share your breastfeeding journey HERE
Virtual Conferences & Events
2020 National Community Leadership Summit
Vital Village Networks proudly presents the 2020 Annual National Community Leadership Summit! This is one of the most important conferences on the topics of child wellbeing and early-life adversity in the Northeast region and beyond. Join us! Shape the conversation with fellow community leaders, practitioners, change agents, and advocates with over two days of virtual panels, workshops, breakout sessions, and plenaries.
Gratitude
Thank you Cathy!
Catherine Luo has completed her AmeriCorps VISTA service year with Vital Village. We are deeply grateful for her dedication and diligence and we wish her well as she heads off to medical school. Read her special blog post "Through the Eyes of Children."
Other News & Happenings
Text KIDS to 8-8-5-8-8 to receive free text messages on nearby community resources, wellness tips, and family-fun activities.
Free app available on Apple, Android, and desktop for families to locate and access free or low-cost, high-quality local food resources in their neighborhoods
Vital Village Network's Boston Breastfeeding Coalition is committed to improving access to breastfeeding support for every parent in Boston, promoting connections between individuals and organizations that engage in breastfeeding advocacy, and supporting pathways for professional lactation counselors.