Network Connector, Volume 2, Issue 4; June 2015
 Network Connector Newsletter | Volume 2, Issue 4; June 2015
"Our vision is to cultivate collective responsibility for all children." -Vital Village Network
 Save the Date: Network Connection Meeting
 Join us for a network connection meeting: 
Building a community of mentors.

Date: Monday, June 8th
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: FGH Building
820 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
 
Dinner and Childcare will be provided. We will also validate parking.
Notes from the 90 Day Challenge:
 
Have you read The Notes From The 90 Day Challenge? Stay up to date with the Vital Village Network Blog to learn about the 90 Day Challenge and the progress made by network partners thus far. If you are interested in starting a 90 Day Challenge or in receiving support on an ongoing project, email us here.
Around The Network:
The Road To Reading   
On April 27th, Project Hope ran The Road To Reading Program in which parents and other caregivers learned new ways to facilitate children's early language and literacy development. The Road to Reading program covered ways to engage children through reading out loud, tip sheets for parents and ways to include reading and writing into a daily curriculum. Other suggestions to engage parents and the community as a whole included: contacting local postal services and creating loaner book backpacks. Janet Iraola from the Project Hope Parent Civic Engagement and Karen Renee Wontan of Parent University facilitated the discussion. Maria Alamo conducted the session evaluation and is available for questions here. For more info on the long-term benefits of early language and literacy development, click here.
Peer-Advocacy Action Roundtable (PAR) Meeting: 
During last month's workshop, PAR members learned about the legal and social contexts for how Massachusetts addresses the needs of individuals with disabilities. Charlotte "Dee" Spinkston from Urban PRIDE provided information on Special Education Laws and resources that families and individuals can access pertaining to the school system.  PAR members are developing skills to communicate & negotiate so that they can advocate for their own interests and rights, as well as for the community around them.
 

If you are interested in developing you advocacy skills or engaging in meaningful conversations on topics that impact the Dudley Village Campus (Lower Roxbury and North Dorchester). Join Us for the Next Meeting! RSVP Required!


When: Thursday, June 18th 
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Where: Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative
504 Dudley Street, Roxbury, MA

*childcare provided
Save the Date! Father's Day Event: Planning For Tomorrow
father-son-outdoor.jpg  
The Ebenezer Baptist Church will be hosting a Father's Day Celebration called "Preparing for Tomorrow" on Saturday, June 27, 2015. The event is a collaboration between the Ebenezer Baptist Church Social Action Committee and several community-based organizations. The aim is to recognize fathers who are engaged in the development of their children and to provide them with tools to adequately prepare for their future. 

Speakers will be sharing their professional expertise on housing, banking and utility management. Fathers who RSVP will also leave with special gifts for them and their families. 

This event is open to the public and families are encouraged to come together!  Please note that space is limited and that the FIRST 15fathers who RSVP will receive a special gift. If you are a father or would like to nominate a father for recognition, please call contact us here or call 617-414-3706. For General RSVP's, click here.

*Child care and lunch will be provided and limited parking will also be available during the event. More details will be shared soon!
Male Engagement Strategic Planning Meeting:   
 
How can we provide fathers with resources they need to be active in their children's lives? A cohort of Vital Village Network Partners are meeting regularly to discuss their ongoing work related to male engagement and fatherhood initiatives. Our next meeting will be:

When: Wednesday, June 17th
From: 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Location: BU School of Medicine, Evans 118

If you would like to discuss how you can incorporate male engagement into your work or contribute to existing projects,
send us an email.
Bright Spot: Hike4Life
Celebrate African-American National Parks Day
  
With the weather getting hotter and hotter, Hike4Life is getting ready for another busy summer of educational and adventure-filled exploration. Their summer activities will kick-off with...
 
The African American National Parks Day at Spectacle Island
When: Saturday, June 6th
Where: Boston Harbor Islands, Long Wharf, Boston,  MA
Time: 11:00am - 5:00pm

For more information or to RSVP click here.
 
Hike4Life aims to be a tangible connection for urban communities and the natural world around us.
In This Issue
Network Connection Meeting
Notes from the 90 Day Challenge
Around the Network
The Road to Reading
How to Become an Advocate
Father's Day Celebration
Bright Spot: Hike4Life
Around the City
Boston 2030 Housing Report
Research
Useful Tools
The Impacts of Neighborhood on Intergenerational Mobility

Quick Links
Like us on Facebook
Send us an email
 
Vital Village will be hosting socioemotional learning and engagement activities at the BMC bWell Center on Tuesdays from 2-4pm.
Around The City
Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030
Mayor Walsh released the Boston Housing Report that laid out concrete goals for Boston, including the creation of 53,000 new housing units by 2030. Many Boston residents are concerned about rent increases that now claim a larger portion of their income.The report highlights plans to promote affordability by splitting housing into three tiers; one third low income, one third moderate income and one third market rate. Here is the link to the full report.
Share Our Stories, Save Our Stories

The Mattapan Public Library has been been engaging residents in the Share Our Stories, Save Our Stories oral history initiative for the last 2 months. The program has provided adults and teens with technology skills that have enabled them to capture their own stories digitally. There will be a final presentation of the videos on June 20th, 2015! To learn more about oral history narratives or how you can participate, please contact Caren or Jazmin here.

When: Tuesday, June 2nd
Time: 12:00pm
Where: Mattapan Public Library 
1350 Blue Hill Avenue
Mattapan, MA 02126 
Boston Creates: What is Our Blueprint?
 
The Boston Creates Initiative is designed to build a shared vision for arts and culture. Boston residents will have the opportunity to shape the cultural landscape of their neighborhood and communities by participating in Community Conversations which will begin this June. Click Here for more details. 
Research:
Youth of Color at Disproportionate Risk for Negative Sexual Health Outcomes







Social, economic, and cultural barriers negatively impact young people's ability to avoid HIV, STIs and unintended pregnancy. Read the report here.
 
Tools:
The Impacts of Neighborhood on Intergenerational Mobility:
 
This interactive tool allows you to compare neighborhoods and see how they affect children. Click here to explore your own neighborhood. 
 
The interactive tool is a part of The Equality of Opportunity Project.
   
Vital Village Network | | vitalvillage@bmc.org | http://www.vitalvillage.org
88 East Newton St.
Vose Hall, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02118