Village Voices
Network members' voices bring good news and share highlights from
around our community. 
Villagers, As the local and global situation with COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues to evolve we have adapted. It is our hope that we can continue to work together collectively to promote the health, safety and wellness of our community, and maintain social connections. This newsletter is an invitation to join with us to generate strategies to see us through this time.
Wellness Ideas Bank

As our communities work to address COVID-19, we invite you to share ideas around ways to maintain social connections and wellness from far away.

Have any ideas or resources for staying connected, practicing self-care, and maintaining wellness among our families and communities?

SUBMIT Resources here:  http://bit.ly/WellnessIdeasSubmit  to be automatically added to our public resource list!

PUBLIC RESOURCE LIST:  http://bit.ly/WellnessIdeas !
COVID-19 Resources Accessible by Visiting



Check out this map sharing COVID-19 related resources in the city of Boston that are accessible by visiting such as free meal sites for children.

This page is regularly updated, however, please contact each location before visiting
Boston Children's Museum Make-A-Thon
During the month of April, Boston Children’s Museum is hosting its first-ever Make-A-Thon ! The challenge: Create something at home following the prompt “Build an invention that helps someone.” Bonus points for using recycled materials you find around the house!

Submit your creation by posting a photo or video on Instagram tagged #MuseumMakeAThon, and use the caption to explain what your invention does and how you made it. At the end of the month, we will do a random drawing of entries. The maker we select will receive a FREE year-long Museum membership for their family!

Selected entries will also be featured at a Make-A-Thon booth at our CreatedBy Festival this fall, and ALL entries will be here! Get creative, have fun, and show us what you can do!
Boston Breastfeeding Coalition
Breastfeeding Warmline:
Early post-partum? Breastfeeding? Pregnant? Our Breastfeeding Counselors are available every day to help. Call today for support from our trained and experienced peers
Call: 857-301-8259
Or email: Breastfeedingboston@gmail.com

Virtual Baby Cafe's
Virtual Baby Cafes are coming soon to a computer, tablet, or phone near you! Visit the Boston Breastfeeding Coalitions' Facebook or website for updates!
2020 Census
In the coming months, the 2020 Census will count every resident across the country to help determine the distribution of Representatives and resources. It is crucial to our communities that everyone is counted! Check out our "Scoop on Stats" section below or 2020Census.gov for more information

We want to hear what the 2020 Census means to you and your community.

Click here to share your 2020 Census Story!
Contact Yusuf Ali at Yusuf.Ali@bmc.org or 617-414-3839.
Network Events
Connect with Vital Village Network at these upcoming events. Click
event to RSVP or learn more .
Virtual Community Cafes
Join us from your computer/smart phone: https://bostonmedicalcenter.zoom.us/j/299964196

Or call-in from your phone:
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York) | Meeting ID: 299 964 196


We invite you to join us to be in community, support each other and discuss ways to promote wellness for ourselves, our families, and our communities during these times. Although COVID-19 requires us to get physical distance, we are committed to holding these virtual spaces for social closeness.

Co-Host with us!
Are you or your organization interested in lifting up, sharing, and leading an online discussion related to child, family and community well-being on a Virtual Community Cafe?

Complete this form to co-host with us!
Community Events
Join Vital Village Network partners and other community organizations at these upcoming events. Click event to RSVP or learn more.

Due to COVID-19, many events may be changing to online or phone formats or canceled. Changes made by time of publication were included, but please confirm with hosts that events have not changed.
Can We Talk?: Cory Johnson Program for Post-Traumatic Healing
By phone, Every Thursday night at 6:30pm
Are you experiencing trauma or loss? Come share your voice, share your story.... let's heal together.
We will be meeting over the phone instead of meeting at the church. For more information check out the event on Facebook here.

Franklin Park Survey
Your computer!
Franklin Park is a lively and beloved center of recreation, gathering, and discovery for the Boston community. With new funding, the City of Boston is continuing to plan for the park’s next century. Please take this survey and help shape the future of Franklin Park and its connections to surrounding neighborhoods. The survey will take about 5 to 7 minutes. Thank you!

Mattapan Hugs and Playgroup / Breastfeeding Support
Your computer or phone! Mondays and Fridays @ 10:30 am
Join our playgroup on your computer, tablet or phone for story time, singing and more! Breastfeeding info and support also available. At the regular Playgroup Time on Mondays & Fridays @ 10:30AM. We look forward to seeing you! Check their Facebook for more information!

Gaming with the Mattapan BPL
Do you have a teenager in 6th-12th grade at home? While stuck in isolation, gaming can be an awesome way to keep socially connected. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, a small team of your friendly local BPL Teen Librarians will host a series of wacky, irreverent online games. Use a phone or Internet enabled device to join the game, joke around in chat, and even recommend the next game! This event will be hosted ONLINE at Twitch.tv/BPLts.

Storytimes / Hora De Cuentos 2020
Chelsea Public Library Facebook Live !
Join us Tuesday Mornings on Facebook live!
Unete con nosotros los martes por la manana!

Virtual Story Time List
Your computer or smartphone!
Check out this list of virtual story times on KidsActivitiesBlog.com

4 Corners Yoga + Wellness
Your computer or smartphone!
Meditation and yoga are great ways to relax you mind and release stress. 4 Corners Yoga and Wellness, based in Dorchester, is offering f ree live yoga, meditation, and community connection sessions every day! You can also check out their recorded sessions!
Check out more community events on our Website  and Facebook.
Opportunities

Check out job, volunteer, and grant opportunities available in our
community.
JOBS & SERVICE:

Boston Partners MLK scholarship: Deadline April 24th
As a John Hancock MLK Scholar at Boston Partners, your job over the summer will be to work with staff at Boston Partners to conduct community outreach and recruit volunteer mentors through flyering and events. You will spend about half your time working in our office and the other half out in the community.
Scholars will also:
  • Contribute to the Boston Partners in Education blog and social media
  • Help staff plan for our Fall volunteer engagement and fundraiser event
  • Lead a media project to support outreach to volunteers

The mission of The ELC’s Undergraduate Scholarships is to build a pipeline of Black corporate talent by supporting the academic achievement and development of Black undergraduate and graduate students. The ELC offers seven undergraduate scholarship programs:
  • Three are designed for students pursuing business degrees.
  • One is designed for students currently enrolled in a mechanical or chemical engineering program.
  • One is designed for students pursuing degrees in business, insurance and risk management, or a related field.
  • Two are designed for students pursuing degrees in STEM, Business Management or a related field.

Thaddeus Miles Community Leadership Scholarship
The Dimock Center’s Thaddeus Miles Community Leadership Scholarship supports high school seniors who live in the City of Boston who are graduating from Boston-area high schools (Boston Public Schools and other area public and private schools). Click here for eligibility information.

The City of Boston SuccessLink youth summer job application is open! Deadline to apply is April 12th.
Employment for the summer program begins on Monday, July 6th and end on Friday, August 14th. Youth employees will be paid $12.75 per hour, for a maximum of 25 hours a week. Check here for for more information on the program and to apply!
Resource Connector
Learn more about resources relevant to children and families in our community from our community.
RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS
COVID-19 & Extra Emergency SNAP Benefits
Check out this one pager from Mass Legal Services for information on what you need to know about the emergency SNAP benefits you are entitled to! Find out more information here!

Boston Police Department: Domestic Violence
The BPD recognizes the impact that COVID-19 and stay at home is having and could have on families in our communities, particularly those that find themselves confined and living with an abuser. Community members wanting to report domestic violence not occurring at that moment may do so anonymously by calling the CimeStoppers Tip Line @ 1-800-494-TIPS, or by texting the word 'TIP' to 27463. Check out this Facebook post from BPD for other resources on domestic violence.

CARES Act and Nonprofits - TSNE MissionWorks
This webpage, from TSNE MissionWorks, provides an overview of the CARES Act loans available to nonprofits, a step-by-step guide to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program, and some clarifications on the loan application itself. 

Frugal Bookstore: Free Delivery
Frugal Bookstore is providing free local deliveries! Check out their website to order! Don't see the book you are looking for on their site? Email frugal_books@yahoo.com with your request! Call: 617-541-1722

Podcaster Toolbox | COVID-19 Guide
We've created crowd-sourced resources for independent, DIY, and/or early-stage podcasters working from home. This is a critical time for storytelling, journalism, and community. Let's support and listen to one another! Check out the guide here!
If you have any feedback on how to improve this guide, we're listening. Send us an email at info@podcastgarage.org


Children:
Coding For Kids: Code.org
Coding is a fun way for kids of all ages to hone their creative problem solving skills. New to coding? Check out https://studio.code.org/courses for introductory projects. Already a pro coder? Challenge yourself with a new project at https://studio.code.org/projects/public.

Boston Public Schools: Accessing Mental Health Services
Check out this infographic from BPS about accessing mental health services during school closure!

World Virtual Field Trips
Check out this map of World Virtual Field Trips you can take with your children. Zoos, aquariums, safaris, national parks, and the world cultural heritage sites are available. You can virtually explore from the New England Aquarium in Boston to the Amazon Rain Forest in Brazil!


Small Business:
Boston Public Library: Small Business Resources
Check out this blog post from BPL that includes links to grants and other resources for small businesses. TA webpage, here, is a list of business services and resources.

City of Boston: Small Business Relief Fund
We have established the Small Business Financial Relief Fund to help businesses most impacted by COVID-19. We want to provide immediate help and guidance. We will begin accepting applications on a rolling basis beginning MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020.

For more info and to apply, click here
Have questions? Contact: 617-635-5729 or SMALLBIZ@BOSTON.GOV

Other Resources for Boston COVID-19 Response:
Mayor’s Health Line: 617-534-5050
City of Boston: 3-1-1
MA Non-emergency helpline: 2-1-1 or call 1-877-211-MASS
Meal sites in Boston:   Food Access Map: Meal Sites

Scoop on the Stats
Explore data related to child and family well-being.
Census 2020, Everyone Counts!
This infographic is from the first part of a handout from "Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) from their Census Campaign. For important information about the Census including addressing rumors , frequently asked questions , and information on how to respond , visit 2020Census.gov !

Explore a map of real time response rates to see why responding is important for our communities here !
Sharing Technology
Explore technology related to child and family well-being.
The  Abundance App   is now available on iOS and Android devices, as well as on desktops. Abundance empowers Boston residents to easily access affordable, high-quality food resources. Download the FREE app today!
CONtexts aims to promote positive outcomes between caregivers and children by sharing weekly resources through a FREE text service and interactive resource sharing map. These resources are ideal for anyone working with or caregivers of children ages 0-5.

To subscribe, text KIDS to 8-8-5-8-8
Once you're subscribed you will receive 3 weekly FREE text messages:
  • Monday: Nearby community resources
  • Wednesday: Wellness tips
  • Friday: Family-fun events
Our Mission

Vital Village is a network of residents and
agencies committed to maximizing child, family, and community wellbeing.
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Stay Connected
Have an event, job opportunity, or resource to share with the network?

Complete this  form !