Boston Breastfeeding Coalition | |
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"I love catching the baby! It is the ultimate experience, but I am also birthing a movement that will eradicate infant mortality, increase breastfeeding rates, and increase the number of Black midwives to improve community health."
~Mama Shafia Monroe
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Our Bodies Belong to Us: Restoring Black Autonomy and Joy!
-Black Maternal Health Week 2023 (#BMHW23)
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Held annually on April 11-17th, BMHW is a week-long campaign founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to build awareness, activism, and community-building to amplify the voices, perspectives and lived experiences of Black Mamas and birthing people. This week is just the start. We must continue this activism throughout the year. | |
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Jess Pimentel, she/ella, began her lactation journey following the birth of her niece in 2012. After helping families informally for years, Jess joined the Women, Infants, & Children Nutrition Program (WIC) team in 2017 as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. Now, Jess serves not only as Treasurer of the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition since 2019, but also chairs the DRIVE (Diversity, Representation, Inclusivity, Vision, Equity) committee working to increase diversity in lactation. Jess also serves as the Massachusetts State Admin for ZipMilk. With the titles of CLC and CBS, Jess is working towards her IBCLC while continuing to grow her private practice Equally Expressed LLC, a business centered around equity, equality and inclusion.
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To learn more about Jess and where you can find support, visit these websites or follow her on social media! | |
Connect with Vital Village Networks at these upcoming events | |
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May Network Connection Meeting
Thursday, May 11th | 6PM
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Mental Health Awareness & Mental Wellbeing!
#YouMatterBoston #BeWellBoston
The Mental Health Committee and community partners will be leading an interactive discussion of mental health resources and services, trauma first aid, strategies for supporting youth wellbeing, and the importance of positive childhood experiences.
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Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Governance Visioning Session
Monday May 15th | 12:00pm - 4:00pm
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SAVE THE DATE!
You're Invited!
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The Boston Breastfeeding Coalition will be working to craft new vision and values statements to guide the work going forward. This is also an opportunity to meet and get to know other members of the coalition. We hope you can join us on Monday May 15th, 12:00pm - 4:00pm. If you are interested in participating please email bostonbreastfeeding@bmc.org | |
We are pausing Scholars Support Night in April for our upcoming ROSE Lactation Training. We hope you will join us in May for Scholars Support Night featuring Dr. Bobbi Philipps sharing about the Lactation College! | |
Connect with Vital Village Network at these upcoming events | |
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Children's Mental Health Storytimes
Thursday 3:30-4:00 pm EST
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Baby Cafe's and Breastfeeding Groups | |
Need lactation support? Or is someone you know struggling with breastfeeding? Come to one of our virtual, in-person, or hybrid 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. Scan the QR code or click the link to register!
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Learn more about events and resources by our partners and community organizations | |
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Flourishing 2023!
Saturday May 13th 2023 | 2-5 pm
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Caring for Ourselves & Others to Benefit the Mass PPD Fund | |
Flourishing is the Mass. PPD Fund's annual event that is back in person this year at the Parkway Community YMCA! Loren Raye will be Emcee, Stephanie Crawford will share a special remembrance, and Ashley Mitchell will share a wellness practice. You will hear the important personal stories of Ashley and Dan Healy as our keynotes. Your ticket helps the Mass. PPD Fund support parents facing postpartum depression and other Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) through awareness, training, and advocacy. | |
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Free Yard Sale!
Saturday May 6th 2023 | 11am-1 pm
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Pregnant or have kinds 0-5 years old? Join us for FREE resources and to meet other young families. | |
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Stronger Generations is hosting a free “yard sale” for young families (any family in the Boston area who is expecting a child and/or with kid(s) 0 - 5 years old). Our first is planned for Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 11 am to 1 pm at the BCYF Curtis Hall (20 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130). At the event, parents will have the chance to get free resources such as a grocery gift card, kids clothing, kids books, diapers, wipes, hygiene kits, and supplies for the summer (sunscreen, kids sunglasses, toys), and more!
Snacks for kids will be available!
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Address:
SCRS Curtis Hall
20 SOuth Street, Jamaica Plain
MA 02130
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Share Your Voice!
Weekly on Tuesday at 2pm est
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Community Action Network (CAN) is a group of community residents and organization representatives that work together to reduce racial inequities in infant mortality and poor birth outcomes. They address racial inequities in Boston through policy and community level changes. Anyone interested can join CAN! CAN is an opportunity to network, make a positive impact, take on leadership roles, join in advocacy activities, and much more! Share your voice! | |
Learn more about events and resources by our partners and community organizations | |
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Youth Options Unlimited Boston (YOU Boston)
2023 Summer Career Cohorts
Start date: July 5th - 25 hrs/week, 8 weeks - Mon-Fri - $15 an hour
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The summer youth employment program places young people in paid, supervised work opportunities with community-based organizations. YOU Boston’s mission is to empower and motivate young people to gain the educational, employment, and career advancement necessary to be successful in the workforce, in the community, and in their lives.
Refer a young person today!
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The Food Project’s mission is to create a thoughtful and productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a sustainable food system. Our community produces healthy food for residents of the city and suburbs, provides youth leadership opportunities, and inspires and supports others to create change in their own communities.
Want to work here?
Click the link for season and full year positions to apply today!
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Diversifying the Field of Lactation Through Building Your Own Clinical Program
Monday, May 15th, 2023 | at 5 pm
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This RFP seeks proposals from breastfeeding coalitions, cultural groups, and organizations passionate about diversifying the lactation workforce to develop a Clinical Lactation Training program. The program aims to support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and other underrepresented students in their lactation education, with grant funding, technical assistance, training, mentorship, and resources provided to two selected organizations. The RFP is due on Monday, May 15, 2023, at 5 pm. Selected coalitions will receive $30,000 to implement the program deliverables. This includes hiring a program coordinator, administering an application process for scholarships to BreastfeedLA’s 45-hour Lactation Education Specialist course and second 50-hour Lactation Consultant course, both taught by people of color Lactation Consultants within a framework of reproductive justice. | |
Help expand access to breastfeeding support in your
neighborhood or workplace!
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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. | | | | |
