Here on the pulse of this new day, You may have the grace to look up and out And into your sister's eyes, into Your brother's face, your country And say simply, Very simply, With hope, Good Morning.

—Dr. Maya Angelou

Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Leadership Team

The Boston Breastfeeding Coalition has been engaged in Governance and Leadership Design work over the past year. As part of that design, we launched a nomination process for Leadership Roles.  

We are honored to announce the inaugural Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Leadership Team! 

Thank you to this incredible group of Breastfeeding Leaders for serving in these roles and we look forward to the year ahead as we continue this important and impactful work together.

Please join the Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Meeting on February 8th to meet the team!

Danielle Champagnie,

LPN, LS, LC, ROSE Peer Counselor

Edwige M. Jean,

BS, CLC

She-Tara Smith,

Professional Doula, Lactation Educator, Community Activist

Dawn Fuentes-Holgate,

M.S., M.Ed, C.A.G.S., ROSE Peer Counselor

Scholars Support Night

Wednesday, January 31 6:00p EST

Are there topics you would like to see at Scholars Support Night? Would you like to guest speak during a future night? Join us to set goals and share ideas for 2024 Scholars Support Night.

Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Meeting

Thursday February 8th, 2024 |  12:00p-1:30p EST 

Join the first Boston Breastfeeding Coalition Meeting of 2024 for a visioning session and to meet the Coalition's Leadership Team! Your voice is important as we envision our goals and collective action.

Online Community Data Workgroup Series

Wednesday, January 31, 2024, from 5:30pm-6:30pm ET

A virtual community for Greater Boston residents and leaders to collaboratively design solutions for housing, hyper-development and gentrification challenges.

February Network Connection Meeting

Join us for the February Network Connection Meeting on Monday February 12th at 5:30 either in-person on virtually as we continuing exploring Community Arts for Community Wellbeing and Self Care.



Join us in person at FGH Building 820 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118 or virtually on Zoom

Community Data Storytelling Workshop

Join Vital Village for the free, virtual Data Storytelling workshop series and build your capacity to create and share stories that support social change using data tools.

Vital Village Bi-Annual Survey

Survey Deadline is Wednesday, January 31, 2024

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. Raffle items include:

• Free seat to the 2024 National Community Leadership Summit

• $25 gift card

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.

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.

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.

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 week with a different theme, books, and 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.

Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition Meeting

Discuss important breastfeeding topics and issues happening around Massachusetts. Even if you are not yet a member – come say hi and learn what MBC is all about!

ZipMilk

ZipMilk is a site that provides listings for chest/breastfeeding resources sorted by ZIP Code. It is designed for use by consumers interesting in help or support for chest/breastfeeding, as well as by providers who want to give their clients access to such resources.

MassHealth Doula Services Program: Information for Doulas

MassHealth now covers doula services, subject to MassHealth coverage limitations, for MassHealth members while they are pregnant, during delivery, and up to 12 months after delivery.

Father University

Saturday Mornings beginning in January 2024

If you are a father of a child who is three years old or younger, please consider joining the next Baby U Program.

Saturday Mornings beginning in January 2024./14 Weekly workshops and family playtime.

Contact James Normil

First Teacher: BPS 1st Round 

Deadline: February 9, 2024

If your child will be age 3, 4 or 5 by September 1 Register in the First Round!

Explore your Eligibility for WIC (Women, Infants, & Children Program)

You can participate in WIC if you:

●       Live in Massachusetts

●       Have a nutritional need (WIC staff can help you determine this)

●       Are a child under 5, a new mom, or a pregnant or breastfeeding woman

●       Have a family income less than WIC guidelines

Jewish Family & Children's Service: Family Support Specialist/Home Visitor

The Family Support Specialist is responsible for providing emotional support, education, advocacy, case management and referrals for parents with multiple, complex needs, including lack of access to adequate housing, immigration-related issues, unemployment, domestic violence, lack of partner support, and other trauma-related issues. 

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.