NETWORK CONNECTOR NEWSLETTER
Volume 4, Issue 9; September 2017
Vital Village News
Upcoming Events:
  • September 18, 9-11am: September Network Connection Meeting (register here!)

  • October 7-9, 14-15: Social Justice Mediation Institute

  • October 16, 6-8pm: October Network Connection Meeting

  • November 1-2: Annual Vital Village Leadership Summit

  • November 6: Managing Bias in Mediations with Boston Law Collaborative
Opportunities
Community Organizing and Family Issues Training (COFI)
Vital Village Network and Northeastern Crossing are offering a dynamic, 3.5-day training opportunity for organizational leaders in Boston communities who wish to take their community organizing and leadership skills to the next level.  Community Organizing and Family Issues will facilitate their "systematic and proven model" that will provide participants with the tools to find their voice, work within power structures, and take action in their communities. Training: September 20-23. More information and registration here. Questions: vitalvillage@bmc.org
Fourth Annual Social Justice Mediation Institute
Learn conflict resolution methods that can be used in your home, neighborhood, workplace, and beyond by applying to attend the Social Justice Mediation Institute for free! The training will be held  October 7-9 and14-15 at the Roxbury Innovation Center (Bolling Building), which is located at 2300 Washington St. Apply  online or by phone (617)424-3640, and email vvnmediators@gmail.com for more information.
 
Around the Network
Breastfeeding in the Bay State Conference
When: Monday, September 25, 8 :20am-5:30pm
Where: Mass. Medical Society @ Waltham Woods
860 Winter Street
Waltham, MA 02451
Men of Boston Cook for Women's Health
Codman Square Health Center seeks to raise funds to improve women's health in the Dorchester community
When: Thursday, October 5, 6pm
Where: Codman Square Health Center
637 Washington Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
More Information
Mattapan Community Health Center's Health Care Revival 
Free admission, health screenings, discussions, raffles, children's activities and more
When: Saturday, September 9, 9:30am-3:30pm
Where: 249 River Street, Mattapan, MA 02126
First Teacher's Fall Fun Fair
First Teacher 's annual Fall Fun Fair is back! Meet other families and connect with those who are involved with First Teacher. There will be music, activities, and even a chance to win a back to school basket! Click here to find out more about First Teacher.  
When:  September 16, 1pm - 3pm
Where:  St. Patrick's Church, 10 Magazine St. Roxbury, MA 02119
 
Mattapan Community Leadership Academy (MCLA)
Become a part of the next generation of leaders in Mattapan! The Mattapan Community Leadership Academy is an 8 month experience for anyone interested in developing their leadership skills and learning about topics ranging from financial management and resource development to community engagement and public speaking. Classes are held once a month from October 2017 - May 2018, and the deadline to apply is September 15. Lean more  here!

Around the City
Art & Health Street Festival 2017
When: Saturday, September 16, 11am-3pm
Where : Stoughton Street in Upham's Corner


Boston Open Studios Coalition: Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan and More
When: Roxbury Sept. 30- Oct. 1, 11am-5pm; Dorchester Oct. 20 6pm-8pm, Oct. 21-22 12pm-5pm; Mattapan Oct. 21-22 12pm-6pm
Where : Throughout the city

Café Night at the Roxbury Innovation Center (RIC)
Free programming and networking opportunities for innovators and entrepreneurs of all levels
When : Tuesday, September 26, 5pm-9pm
Where : 2300 Washington Street, 2nd floor
Village Voices

Waetie Sanaa Cooper Burnette, breastfeeding supporter and Vital Village Network community champion, shares her own mothering narrative in her recent blog post, Black Breastfeeding Week: Our Stories, Centered. Waetie Sanaa wrote this piece in conjunction with Black Breastfeeding Week, August 25 - 31, and spearheaded the August 31 Lift Every Baby Photo Event. Through her inspiring activism, she sheds light on her experiences as an African American mother and connects individuals and families to resources that can support them throughout their parenting journeys.  
Job Opportunities
Mothers' Milk Bank Northeast (MMBNE) is seeking a part-time Donor Intake Coordinator
Work 20-25 hours/week in MMBNE's Newton location! Donor Intake Coordinator will work 3 days/week, preferably including Monday & Friday. Tasks will include screening potential breastmilk donors, participating in outreach/recruitment of donors, taking part in occasional educational and community events for providers and parents, answering potential donors' questions, and more. $25-$28/hour, depending on experience level.

Qualifications: IBCLC or CLC + 500 documented breastfeeding counseling hours and fluency in Spanish. Candidates should be self-motivated, have strong organizational and communication skills, be detail-oriented, possess phone counseling skills, and be able to work in a team. If you are interested, send in a resume and cover letter by Friday, September 15.
Tools
What Exactly Does it Mean to be "Trauma-Informed"?
Vital Village Network works with partners across disciplines to address early childhood trauma and support healthy social and emotional development in children. Understanding what it means to provide "trauma-informed" services across various contexts can be difficult. Check out the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website for a definition of the trauma-informed approach and links to further resources that can clarify how various interventions employ trauma-informed practices.  

Scoop on the Stats
Home Visits Prove Effective in Helping Parents Raise Healthy Children
Home visiting programs function to support parents in their quest to raise healthy children by bringing social workers, nurses, dieticians, and other supportive professionals to the homes of new families. Studies show that home visiting programs improve parent-infant interactionreduce child abuse and neglect and improve maternal and child health.
Federal funds for organizations that provide home visits come from the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. In 2016, 160,400 parents and children were served, and more than 3.3 million home visits have been provided over the past 4 years. Many members of the Vital Village Network provide home visits to families in the greater Boston area, supporting healthy development and bringing high quality support to families in the comfort of their own homes.

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