Network Connector Newsletter Volume 8, Issue 9

Village Voices Network members' voices bring good news and share highlights from around our community.

Register Here 2021 National Community Leadership Summit Vital Village Networks is hosting our annual 2021 National Community Virtual Leadership Summit. The theme this year is Community Rising - Reclaiming the Power of Us. Join us as we learn how communities across the country are using their collective power to reimagine their futures.’

Addressing Structural Racism and Oppressive Systems to Better Serve Children As we prepare for our 2021 National Community Leadership Summit, we reflect on the powerful words of last year's keynote speaker Mayra Alvarez in addressing racial & health justice for families & children across the nation. Check out our blog post for more details.

Vital Village Networks Bi-Annual Survey Vital Village Networks conducts an anonymous network-wide survey bi annually to plan for the future and gain your valuable insights to improve our efforts. We would greatly appreciate you taking our survey and sharing your thoughts, suggestions, and reflections. Your participation is voluntary, all questions are optional, and the survey will take 15-20 minutes.We appreciate your time and feedback. Bi-Annual Survey

Network Events Connect with Vital Village Network at these upcoming events. Click event to RSVP or learn more.

Children's Mental Health Storytime Every Thursday at 3:30pm-4:00pm

Visit Our Calendar for More Events

Community Events Join Vital Village Network partners and other community organizations at these upcoming events. Click event to RSVP or learn more.

Boston Veteran Job Fair Thursday September 23rd, 11-3PM The career fair connects military veterans and spouses with employers seeking talent for hundreds of open jobs The Boston Parks Fitness Series June 6th - October 2nd, visit link for times & dates Beginning June 6 through October 2, we will offer in-person and virtual classes led by certified fitness instructors. For details, please consult the complete list of classes on our calendar below. Everyone is welcome at our free classes, regardless of your fitness level. For more information and cancellations, check Facebook and Twitter at @bostonparksdept and @healthyboston.  Old School R&B Night Thursday September 23, 6-9PM - Copley Square Mayor Kim Janey presents Old School R&B Night with Maverick - recording artist and official DJ of the Boston Red Sox. COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinics on site. September 2021 - Watercolor Painting Workshops Various dates & locations This series is completely free and open to Boston artists aged 9 and up, of all skill levels. You'll create your own greenspace-inspired masterpieces; we provide the instruction and materials. Pre-registration is required. The program is sponsored by the Highland Street Charitable Foundation.

Check out more community events on our Website and Facebook.

Opportunities Check out job, volunteer, and grant opportunities available in our community.

Teens Corner

Boston Youth Heat Resilience Workshop Calling all Gen Zs and Millenials! Are you looking for ways to support climate action in your neighborhood? Join the Boston youth heat resilience workshop to support strategies that will prepare our communities for the impacts of extreme heat Registration Wednesday September 22nd, 6-7PM

View Opportunities Here

Resource Connector Learn more about resources relevant to children and families in our community from our community.

Wellness

VVN Wellness Bank Resource Guide The Wellness Idea Bank is a comprehensive and community-driven guide for those in the Greater Boston Area that helps collect events, ideas, and resources for supporting wellness and social connections. Please check out our seasonal edition as we share resources throughout the fall with related content on back to school support and additional resources.

Therapy for Black Girls To be seen, to be heard, and to be understood. So often the stigma surrounding mental health issues and therapy prevents Black women from taking the step of seeing a therapist. This space was developed to present mental health topics in a way that feels more accessible and relevant.

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Suicide Prevention Modules In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month Prevention Institute has several new suicide prevention modules that explore how to support communities during catastrophic events and a new resource on how communities can improve social connections: Socially Connected Communities: Solutions for Social Isolation."

COVID-19 Information and Resources

Mayor Janey Announces Indoor Mask Mandate for City of Boston Mayor Kim Janey announced face masks will be required in all indoor public settings in the City of Boston, as part of a Five-Point Plan for the Delta Variant, a more contagious COVID-19 variant that is now the primary strain of the virus. The public health order, issued by the Boston Public Health Commission, is effective at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, August 27 in the City of Boston.  COVID-19 Vaccine in Boston The COVID-19 pandemic has unfairly affected Boston's Black, Latinx, immigrant and other communities of color. Systemic racism, including in healthcare and vaccine development, also contributes to concerns and mistrust of the COVID-19 vaccine. We're committed to making information available in multiple languages, through multiple methods, and on an ongoing basis. Our goal is to help our residents make informed decisions. COVID-19 Testing Sites The City of Boston is encouraging residents and businesses to help stop the spread of COVID-19, and an important part of stopping the spread is getting more people tested. This will help the City of Boston better understand and control the spread of the virus.

View Full List of Resources

Scoop on the Stats Explore data related to early childhood education and network initiatives!

Free meal sites for children in the City of Boston (September 2021)

As we begin our transition to harvest season, we want to recognize the efforts of Boston grassroots organizers, city officials, and community champions who have expanded food access and resources in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.  This month, Vital Village updated the community-led Abundance App and COVID-19 Resource Map with addresses and hours of locations providing free meals to children, and community fridges open for the public to share food with neighbors.  At least 90 locations in Boston currently provide free breakfast, lunch or dinner for youth, and 10 free community fridges are open 24/7. These maps highlight where these impressive efforts are taking place.

Sharing Technology Explore technology related to child and family well-being.

Check out our Abundance App 3.0.2! Location data sharing is no longer required in order to use the app and we have updated the Supermarkets layer. he Abundance App includes information on food pantries, WIC-approved stores, meal sites for the elderly, and specialty grocery stores. If you haven't downloaded Abundance yet, head over to the Google Play or App Store!

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. We are also looking to expand language services for CONtext starting with Spanish, and would love to hear from you to improve our text services. Please take 5 minutes to fill out our Spanish Language Justice Form.  To subscribe, text KIDS to 844-806-0616 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. Donate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Share with Us Have an event, job opportunity, or resource to share with the network? Complete this form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stay Connected ‌ ‌ ‌