Network Connector, Volume 1, Issue 8; November 2014

Network Connector
Brought to you by the Vital Village Network
Happy Thanksgiving!
Network Connector Newsletter 
Volume 1, Issue 8; November 2014
Vital Village Network Innovation Updates:
We are already past the first 30 Days of our 90 Day Challenge! Our online platform BigTent has been a tool for people to share thoughts, resources and group messages. We also had our first Teleconference.

One Day Development Challenge


 There has been a lot of momentum around Male Engagement and we would like to thank our network partners for their contributions.We are in the process of creating a One Day Challenge to push our collaborative interest forward! Parts of our discussion led to the inclusion of a Legal/Advocacy forum on BigTent where we can share advice related to policy matters in our work and discuss ways in which advocacy can strengthen our work.If you have any questions about Male Engagement Initiatives or have resources you would like to share, please email us!




 
Prenatal Opportunity
Baby Café!

Vital Village was honored to host Baby Café USA Executive Director Lucia Jenkins for an informational presentation with of our network partners from Mattapan ABCD Head Start/Mattapan Food and Fitness CoalitionBoston Children's Museum, Boston Children's Hospital, the BMC Baby Café at Codman Square Health Center and Massachusetts General Hospital who are interested in increasing breastfeeding opportunities for mothers in undeserved neighborhoods. Our partner, Berthilde Sylvester, CLC also attended a ROSE (Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere) "Train the Trainer" conference in Atlanta, Georgia this past month. Moving forward, we will be discussing ways to increase resident and community capacity around breastfeeding and identifying funding opportunities to move forward to start Baby Cafés in other Boston neighborhoods. If you have any resources or questions about Baby Cafe's, email us here!
Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative turns 30!

We would like to congratulate DSNI on their 30th Anniversary! They have been successfully transforming the Dudley Community and capped their celebration by honoring the residents and leaders that have helped structure DSNI's progress. It has been a busy year for DSNI from their; Annual Gala, Homecoming Weekend and Community Summit. 

They recently held a screening of Gaining Ground (find the trailer here). Gaining Ground is the sequel to Holding Groundwhich followed DSNI's efforts during the economic crisis of 2008. Gaining Ground showcases the challenges that DSNI faces as they shape their future. Congratulations as you forge forward! Here is theDSNI@30 Website.
Mayor Walsh Appoints Jeri Robinson to the Boston School Committee
"Learning opens the door to opportunity, and I will continue to strive to make the Boston Public Schools the best in the country, for children all the way from Pre-K to high school."

Mayor Walsh announced the Boston School Committee earlier this month. Jeri Robinson lives in Upham's Corner, Dorchester and is the Vice President of Early Learning Initiatives at the Boston Children's Museum, and brings decades of early education program development to the group. The 7-member Boston School Committee is responsible for defining the vision, mission and goals of the Boston Public Schools; establishing and monitoring the annual operating budget; hiring, managing and evaluating the Superintendent; and setting and reviewing district policies and practices to support student achievement. She was also the Recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Services in 2013.

Sister Margaret Leonard

Street Dedication in Dudley Square

 

The intersection of East Cottage Street and Dudley 

Street have been dedicated in recognition of Sister Margaret Leonard's longstanding service and commitment to the Dudley Community. Sr. Margaret is the Executive Director of Project Hope, which provides numerous services to 650 families and children yearly. Congratulations to Sister Margaret! Find the event link here.

 On August 23, 2014, our city lost one of its brightest rising stars. An innocent victim of gun violence, Dawnn Ashley Jaffier was tragically killed on her way to a neighborhood celebration. Though only 26 years old, Dawnn had begun a promising career in Boston's non-profit community, holding direct service positions at the West End House, Playworks, City Year and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston. The Light of Dawnn Awards have been created - to recognize individuals working in the non-profit sector who demonstrate the spirit that is Dawnn's legacy 

To make a nomination, click here!

 Nominations are due December 31st, 2014!



 
Grant Opportunity: Health Starts At Home
 
The Boston Foundation Health Starts at Home Grant aims to bring together housing and health organizations to address the lack of stable housing and the outcomes this poses on children's health.

For More information regarding eligibility and deadlines click on the link below.
TBF Grant
In This Issue
Network Innovation Updates
One Day Challenge
Prenatal Opportunity
DSNI@30!
Boston School Committee
Street Dedication in Dudley Square
Dawnn Award
Grant Opportunity
Upcoming Events
BigTent Message Board
Uplifting Breakfast
Young Children in Boston
Brother's Keeper Forum
BigTent Message Board
BPD Interrogation Report
Upcoming Network Connection Meeting
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Monday, December 8th
6:00-8:00PM

Location TBD
 
Join the Vital Village partners for a night of networking and learning! 
  • Meet partners in the network
  • Learn how to use digital storytelling to strengthen your work as an advocate
  • Participate in a workshop on restorative justice practices
Hope to see you there!
 
Childcare, dinner and parking validation for the 710 Albany Street garage will be provided.
 
Please RSVP here! 

Mark Your Calendars!

 12/3/14- Leadership Summit Group Message Board, all day

 

 12/6/14 - Celebrating Men and Families Breakfast- 11:00AM-12:30PM-Salvation Army Boston.

 

 12/17/14 - Leadership Summit  Teleconference, 12:00-1:00pm

Join Father's Uplift for an Uplifting Breakfast Celebrating Men and Families.

When: December 6th, 2014
Where: Salvation Army, 23 Vernon St. 
Boston, MA 02119


Time: 11:00AM-12:30PM

Menu
Fried Tilapia, Smothered Chicken and gravy, sausages, grits and biscuits 

To RSVP
P: 617-987-5994
E: info@fathersuplift.org

What are the outcomes of Black and Latino Males in Boston Public Schools? 

#Path2Equity, learn about the Boston Public School Report Findings 
Here
The Brother's Keeper Forum
  
is an extension of the National Brother's Keeper Initiative. The forum highlighted the collaboration between 
Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the City of Boston and
Mass Mentoring Partnership to launch the Mayor's Mentoring Movement, an initiative to increase the number of empowering relationships for youth in Boston. With the goal of creating consistent and enduring relationships that will help young people succeed, the Mayor's Mentoring Movement aims to recruit at least 1,000 new mentors and caring adults over the next two years, of which at least 10 percent will be City of Boston employees.

America's Youngest outcasts: Child Homelessness

Read the full report here

Boston Police Dept Interrogation Report
In 2010 the Boston Police Department commissioned a study to determine how Boston Police Officers are utilizing Field Interrogation and Observation Programs in the City. Preliminary
 results have lead to The BPD implementing more controls on how police officers document and carry out Field Interrogations.
Read More Here.