"My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together."

—Desmond Tutu

Scholars Support Night

Wednesday, February 28th 6:00p EST

Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Meeting

Thursday March 21st, 2024  |  12:00p-1:00p EST 

Save the Date for the next Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Meeting!

Greater Boston Birth Equity Coalition Design Team Nominations

Vital Village Networks (VVN) has collaborated with community leaders, healthcare providers, and advocates to establish the Greater Boston Birth Equity Coalition. The coalition aims to assist families who are farthest from opportunity during the arrival of new children. Various community partners from the region have come together to create a governance and decision-making structure that is solutions-oriented, respects the dignity of its members, and is based on healing-centered practices.

The design team is now accepting nominations for 11 members to serve as leaders for the official founding of the Greater Boston Birth Equity Coalition. Additionally, it is looking for advisors to join the Elder Council, who will provide guidance to the coalition. Furthermore, it is inviting the community to join by expressing interest in the general membership of the Greater Boston Birth Equity Coalition.

We are inviting people from all walks of life to join in co-leading this coalition. We value and welcome all forms of leadership centered on upholding and protecting the dignity of children and birthing people.

Choose Form(s):

• Nominate or Express Interest to be a Coalition Service Leader
• Express Interest in the Coalition General Membership
• Nominate or Express Interest in the Coalition Elder Council

If you fit this description, or if you know someone who does, and you are ready to help design solutions for Boston's children and families, please fill out the Boston Medical Center Vital Village Networks | Greater Boston Birth Equity Coalition Forms. A member of Vital Village Networks and the Design Team will then contact you to schedule a deeper conversation.

Apply to be a 2024 Vital Village Community Data Ambassador

Deadline, March 29, 2024 at 12p ET

Vital Village is seeking three Community Data Ambassador volunteers to co-lead the Community Data Workgroup in 2024. Responsibilities include:

• Support community outreach and partnership
• Group reflection on how to use technology and data to advance social justice issues.
• Creating agendas and facilitating monthly Workgroup meetings

Five-month service commitment:

The Workgroup is a peer-led space where Boston residents and community organizations can discuss challenges, share data, and design solutions together. Community-led topics have included food justice, transportation equity, and housing. Previous projects have included co-designing the Abundance Boston app, Community Housing Data Tool, and Experiences on the MBTA Transportation Equity map.

To apply, please complete the form below before our updated deadline, March 29, 2024 at noon ET. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Free Lactation Support

Are you pregnant, nursing, or know someone who is? Come to one of the virtual or in-person 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.

My“Self”in the World Children Storytime

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.

Black Birth Central

Inspired by the concept of Sankofa, we are rebuilding traditions of Black motherhood support. We use technology to empower the family, dismantle colonialism in maternal health, and redefine what it means to be Black and excellent. We are storytellers, connectors, an extra pair of eyes and hands. In unity, we elevate.

The BEE Collective

The Beloved Early Education and Care Collective (BEE Collective) was formed in 2017, to build an integrated mental health framework to increase the social-emotional development outcomes of children, birth to 6, in Berkeley County, SC.

Boston Lactation Center

We envision an environment where new parents across the Commonwealth will have a plethora of IBCLCs to choose from and their choices will be from a diverse and vibrant professional community. We also envision an environment where everyone has access to this important care regardless of their ability to pay.

Mental Health and Doula Health Coordinator (Contractor)

The Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a consultant who will coordinate maternal and infant health initiatives to improve maternal and infant outcomes across the Commonwealth.

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.