I.     Save the Date! II.    Bright Spot III.   Praising Parents IV.  Around the Network

V.    Around the City VI.   Research VII.  Useful Tools VIII. The Scoop on Stats

Shavel'le Olivier Leads MFFC Vigorous Youth

"Whether pedaling through the streets or finding new ways to teach their peers how to cook with real food, the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition Vigorous Youth is setting out to change the food paradigm many of its members grew up with, and are fighting to change the future for new generations-starting now." 

Vigorous Youth, a youth organization that is working to increase food access and improve health outcomes, continues to progress under the incredible leadership of Shavel'le Olivier. The organization engages students with a distinctive, flexible model of service under the mission to make Mattapan one of the healthiest communities in Boston, with easy access to affordable and healthy food. Click here to learn more about MFFC and Vigorous Youth!

Certified Lactation Counselor Training

The last week of July, Vital Village hosted an amazing 40-hour Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) Training for 40 participants at Codman Square Health Center! In 

partnership with Healthy Children's Center for Breastfeeding, Vital Village and Brigham and  Women's  Hospital Center for Community Health and Health Equity were able to 

provide 23 scholarships to community residents, all of whom which have committed to spreading their knowledge and volunteering at Baby Café drop-in breastfeeding groups across the city on a weekly basis for 6 months. This is part of the Vital Village Network Breastfeeding Coalition's work to improve access to breastfeeding and social support services to families living in Boston's underserved neighborhoods. 

Group Well-Child Care Pays a Visit to BCM

Vital Village and Antonio Mendez hosted a visit to the Boston Children's Museum for 14 parents and children who have been active members of the Codman Square Health Center's Parent Advisory Committee. Over the past year, Dr. Lauren Graber and Morgan Brockington have been working with these moms on a  monthly basis as part of an iterative process to create a community and trauma-informed curriculum for group 

well-child care. This group has been highly engaged and have offered feedback on the curriculum, as well as ways for the health center to better support its patients and the community. This field trip was our way of saying "thank you" to this group of dedicated parents, while giving the children an opportunity to play, learn from, and explore the museum.

This month we're celebrating this awesome Dad who takes his young daughter's lead in this adorable workout routine. Being silly with with your child is fun for everyone involved!

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Early Voting in Boston

Two weeks ago, Mayor Marty Walsh announced that the city of Boston will be hosting twenty-seven "one-day" early voting sites. "For the first time Boston will be able to allow voters to cast their ballots early from October 24, 2016 through November 4, 2016 at 5:00 p.m., for the November 8 Election." This decision will allow city residents to vote at a time that is convenient for their work and family schedule. Read the full article on voting registration  HERE !  

Voting in your local and national elections is important for so many reasons, including making your voice heard!  Click here  to learn more about the importance of voting, and the voting process itself!

Declining Investment in Early Education and Care

The need to invest in the future of our children through quality early education has grown critical. Federal and MA spending for early education and care has been rapidly declining over the past 16 years, resulting in a "50% decrease in the state's commitment to its youngest scholars" *. Lower budgets have resulted in early education centers being unable to maintain quality of care, retain quality educators, and in many cases, unable to stay open. The number of early education and care programs in this state has decreased by almost 3,000 from 2011 to 2015 **. To add to this, MA early educators receive minimal support and are paid an average of $25,000, which is about $43,270 less than the average salary of kindergarten teachers ***. Improving outcomes for children is severely dependent on being able to recruit and retain skilled educators to sustain high quality programming. How can we better work together to stabilize and strengthen early education and care for our children?

* Bernstein J (2013). Declines in Spending on Early Education and Care in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center.

** Child Care Aware State Fact Sheets. Data from state Resource and Referral Agencies for Child Care Aware's yearly MA state survey.

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