"If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else."

—Booker T. Washington

We are excited to announce the 2023 Unsung Hero Award Nomination Period

Each year Vital Village honors members of the network with the Unsung Hero Awards. These individuals are members of the Vital Village Network and have extended themselves beyond expectations in their community or organization as a leader in maximizing child health and well-being.  We are accepting nominations for this year's Unsung Hero through Monday, November 20th, 2023 at 9 AM Eastern Time. Click the button below to nominate someone who is connected to Vital Village.

Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Leadership Roles Nomination Form

We are excited to launch the Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Leadership Roles Nominations. 

This is your opportunity to nominate someone you know or yourself for a leadership role in the Coalition. The deadline for nominations is Thursday, November 30th.  

In the nomination form, you can click on the roles in the dropdown menu to read a detailed description of the role and responsibilities. Once the nomination period has closed, nominated members will receive notification of nomination and have the opportunity to accept or decline the role. 

We are looking forward to your nominations! 

Scholars Support Night

November 29th 6:00-7:30p ET

Save the Date ~ December Network Connection Meeting

Monday, December 11th, 2023 | 5:30-7:30 ET

Join us to celebrate the 2023 Unsung Hero Awardees and celebrate the end of the year with the Village!

In-Person Address: FGH Building 820 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118 or virtually via zoom

Vital Village Bi-Annual Survey

Thank you for taking the time to complete the 2023 Vital Village Network-Wide Survey. The following questions will help us continue to improve the Vital Village Networks experience and resource offerings. This survey should take 15-20 minutes to complete. The collected information is valuable to improve our efforts and plan for the future. Your participation is voluntary and all questions are optional. Responses will be confidential and anonymous.

Raffle Drawing: To thank you for your time and participation, you have the option to be entered into a randomized raffle drawing. In order to contact you if you win, you will need to provide an email address on the survey. This email address will not be tied to your survey responses.

Free Lactation Support

Are you pregnant, nursing, or know someone who is? Come to one of our drop-in support groups around Boston! Our groups offer professional lactation counseling, fun playgroups for your young child, and support for anyone struggling with the ups and downs of parenting.

CONtexts

CONtexts (Community Resources On Health Nearby Fun) is a free text messaging service and interactive resource sharing map that promotes child and family wellness by providing current information nearby community resources, wellness tips, and family-fun events.



Once you’re subscribed you will receive 3 weekly free text messages: Monday’s text - nearby community resources, Wednesday’s text - wellness tips, Friday’s text - a family-fun events

MA Breast Pump Bill Call to Action

The MA breast pump bill, mandating insurance coverage for high quality multi user pumps for moms with NICU and otherwise ill babies, is before the Financial Services Committee, the first step on its journey to passage. Over the next few weeks, they will be considering this and many other women’s health related bills. An important element of their decision to report the bill favorably is how much support the bill has among MA citizens.

This is the time to raise your voice with a letter to the committee. MBC has posted a guideline by Naomi Bromberg Bar-Yam, PhD with all the information you need to write your letter. Please take a few minutes before 16 November to share your story and your support. 

FAQs About COVID-19

The Boston Public Health Commission is here to help answer your frequently asked questions (FAQs) about COVID-19, getting vaccinated, and keeping your family safe.

DommiesBlessed

In November, we’re sharing benefits every Veteran family should know about. We also have books about Natives and the night sky (pictured above). Enjoy! ~DommiesBlessed

Mass Breastfeeding Coalition Presents:

Persistent Low Milk Supply: Genetics, Diet or Environment?

NOVEMBER 17 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Join this live virtual NIPPs session with Shannon Kelleher, PhD. Explore the key genes important to milk production, the current understanding of genetic and epigenetic changes and low milk production and the role of botanicals on the process of milk production. NIPPs webinars support lactation professionals with useful, relevant information for their professional practice. Recording available to registrants for 30 days. $12 members, $20 non-members. 1 L-CERP, IBLCE LTP #CLT121-02

Breastfeeding Support Resources for Lactation Professionals

First Droplets released "ABCs for Professionals," a training resource for lactation professionals, doctors, nurses, midwives, and doulas. The series of free videos provide information on current science and strategies to help new mothers

Milky Mama Scholarship Fund

Milky Mama is proud to announce the Milky Mama Scholarship Fund which was created to increase the diversity and representation in the lactation field by increasing the number of IBCLCs from underrepresented communities.

The scholarship fund will pay for the certification course or exam fees for award recipients.

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.