"When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less important whether or not I am afraid."

—Audre Lorde

Photo Credit: article by Health City

Neighborhood Birth Center Plans Move Forward in Roxbury

The article by Health City at Boston Medical Center, shares the resurgence of interest in community and home births centers like the Neighborhood Birth Center. The Center aims to address disparities in maternal care by providing accessible midwifery services and holistic support. The Neighborhood Birth Center, along with other social justice organizations, are now breaking ground on land that will house the birth center in Roxbury's Nubian Square.

SAVE THE DATE: Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Meeting 

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

Join us for the next Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Meeting to continue setting our goals and priorities for the year!

Scholars Support Night

Wednesday, March 27th 6:00p EST

We are excited to share that Scholarships for the R.O.S.E Community Transformer Training will be opening soon! If you are interested in pursuing a lactation peer counselor certification and joining a community cohort, please check out our information!

Greater Boston Birth Equity Coalition

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

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.

Boston Breastfeeding Coalition

Free Lactation Support

My“Self”in the World Children Storytime

Join us along with your children for our weekly My“Self”in the World Children Storytime with. A collaboration of Vital Village Networks and the Boston Public Library (Children Librarians) Storytellers.

Every Thursday, 3:00 - 3:30p.m. ET with a different theme, books, songs and activities.

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

Donor Milk Shortage in New England

Photo Credit: Mothers' Milk Bank Northeast

There is currently a shortage of human donor milk at Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast, a non-profit milk bank located in Massachusetts. When a mom’s milk is not available, donor milk is the next best option. For pre-term and medically fragile babies, breastmilk reduces their risk of developing life-threatening conditions. For more information on how to donate milk to the milk bank, please click the button below:

What Makes a Mother One-Day Conference

Become a Speaker, Vendor, and/or Sponsor at the What Makes A Mother one day Conference.

Vendors: Vendors have access to the day's talks and meals.

Sponsors:

Speakers: Speakers will receive a complimentary table to vend, meals, and access to the day's talks.

BTC Free Webinar Series - this Winter

Learning to Advocate for Children and Families

Facilitated by Catriona Macdonald, MPP — who has decades of experience working on Capitol Hill — this series explores everything you need to make an impact on the issues most important to you.

Don't worry if you missed the first episodes. You can still register for these dates:

Parenting While Black is back for Spring 2024 with — Believe, Liberate, and Behold: Beautifully Brilliant Black Babies and Children.

Photo Credit: Brazelton Touch Points Center

This free, engaging webinar series offers real conversations for and between Black parents. Join the open and unapologetic conversations with inspiring guests. The Parenting While Black 2024 series provides a welcoming space for sharing strength-based and culturally affirming ideas, narratives, and mindsets.



The five-part series begins on Monday, March 18, and continues through June 24, 2024. All webinars start at 3 pm ET / 12 pm PT and are 1-hour long, followed by a 30-minute Q&A session with our parent panelists.

USAID Resource on Advancing Nutrition Responsive Care and Early Learning

The United States Agency for International Development Advancing Nutrition developed the "Responsive Care and Early Learning (RCEL) Addendum." The package is designed to support community-level counselors and health providers as they provide individual counseling and/or group sessions that encourage high-priority caregiving behaviors for improved early childhood development outcomes, including related to breastfeeding. The RCEL Addendum is a global package that gives programs the flexibility to adapt the materials to different country contexts and audiences by adjusting the content and delivery modalities and is available in six languages.

Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - Family Health Center of Worcester 

The Breastfeeding Peer Counselor provides support and guidance to breastfeeding WIC participants on the value and techniques of breastfeeding. The Peer Counselor assists with solving simple breastfeeding problems and encourages particparticipantsipant to overcome obstacles. The Peer Counselor teaches group sessions about breastfeeding and refers participants to the Nutritionist or Breastfeeding Coordinator for complex issues. The Peer Counselor will also assist with special breastfeeding events and with outreach events, as assigned.

Maternal Health and Doula Project 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.