"Data simply strengthens the sense of urgency to act now while we are working toward dismantling systemic racism in the healthcare system, and the numbers don't lie."
-Katia Powell-Laurent
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Network members' voices bring good news and share highlights from around our community |
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In December of 2022, Dominique Bellegarde was awarded the Servant Leadership Award for her unwavering and exceptional service to the Boston community to promote family wellbeing. |
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Miss Dominique Bellegarde is one of four daughters to Haitian immigrants who came to America “to have a better life.” Being raised in Boston surrounded by Haitian culture and speaking Haitian Creole, Dominique developed a nurturing, supportive role within her family and local community. She tutored her cousins, worked as a nanny, became a lifeguard, and has always focused on the wellbeing of children and families, even as a child herself. And she not only fell into a role of service, but has always wanted to serve others, exemplified in her childhood aspiration to become a teacher or a nurse.
Miss Dominique Bellegarde is inspired by her role as a mother to be an example for her children. She is a person of her word, making things happen using her send of purpose and people skills to continually serve others. She said she doesn't want her aspirations to die with her, but to leave behind a legacy of open love.
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If you would like to connect with Dominique Bellegarde and D. Legacy Pace Setters, you can check out her website www.dlegacypacesetters.guru, or email her at dlegacypacesetter@gmail.com. You can also meet Dominique in person at Mother Healing on Tuesdays, in-person or virtual, at the Guild, or find her at local Baby Cafés with Vital Village.
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Connect with Vital Village Networks at these upcoming events |
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Vital Village March Network Connection Meeting:
More than a Comeback: Boston's Flash Rhyme Mob Takeover!
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Monday, March 20th 2023 I 5:30-7:30 PM EST |
Let’s uplift all of Boston’s children during the week of the young child! In partnership with Countdown to Kindergarten, join us to organize, share our music, culture, and wisdom!
Join us virtually on Monday, March 20th at 5:30 pm ET!
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Vital Village Data Storytelling Workshop: Sharing your Story
April 13, 2023 I 5:30 - 7:00 PM EST
Virtual Event over Zoom
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Join Vital Village for the fourth segment in our free, virtual Data Storytelling workshop series and build your capacity to create and share stories that support social change using data tools. This learning opportunity is open to all Vital Village and NOW Network resident champions and organizational partners.
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Check out available resources relevant to children and families |
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Children's Mental Health Storytimes
Thursdays, 3:30 - 4:00 PM EST
Virtual Event on Zoom (Adult Attendance Required)
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Families with young children are invited to Children's Mental Health Virtual Storytimes co-hosted by the Vital Village Networks Mental Health Committee and Boston Public Library. Enjoy book readings and activities focused on social-emotional learning. |
Sessions are designed for families with children 3-8 years old, however, younger and older siblings are welcome to join the fun! An adult caregiver is required to attend with the child. Dates are subject to change. If you have any questions, please email at vitalvillagenetwork@gmail.com. |
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Vital Village Community Data Ambassadors
Vital Village Networks
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Vital Village is seeking three Community Data Ambassador volunteers to co-lead the Community Data Workgroup in 2023.
Responsibilities include supporting community outreach and partnership, facilitating group reflection on how to use technology and data to advance social justice issues and creating agendas and facilitating monthly Workgroup meetings over five months of service.
Volunteers ambassadors will receive a $500 honorarium for their service.
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Vital Village and Boston Public Library Children's Events
Thursday 16 March, 2023 I 3:30-4:30 EST
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Explore data from across the United States |
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This month, we’d like to highlight data projects created by Katia Powell-Laurent. Katia is the CEO of Black Girls Nutrition, the first online nutrition platform designed to connect women of color and inspire healthy eating by sharing experiences. Among her many accomplishments, Katia is an experienced birth doula and was recently selected as one of Boston's Top Black Tech Founders by Boston Business Journal. Katia has served multiple roles in Vital Village including supporting breastfeeding programming, presenting at the National Community Leadership Summit, and leading Data Storytelling Workshops as an alumni facilitator. |
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As a data storyteller, Katia advocates for social change by weaving together multiple forms of knowledge and wisdom. Her interactive timeline, A Historical Timeline of Black Maternal Health in America, includes personal narratives, photos, metrics, and videos that trace legacies of racism, colonization, Black liberation and empowerment, and medical innovations in the story of Black maternal health in America. In her multimedia map of the United States, Black Maternal Health & Infant Health, Katia exposes narratives of racial injustice, violence, and health disparities, while also honoring voices of power and elevating experiences of joy from Black women on birthing journeys.
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To learn more about Katia and her organization’s upcoming nutrition offerings, including a no-cost, 21 Day Fertility Cleanse for women who are trying to conceive, please visit Black Girls Nutrition.
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Learn more about events and resources by our partners and community organizations |
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COMMunity - A Soul Block Party Experience
Thursday May 24, 2023 I 6PM EST
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Join Urban Edge at this "soul" themed block party featuring live music, games, soul food, and more. The event features an opportunity to network with neighborhood leaders, visionary business people, and dedicated public officials that support our mission.
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Applications open Tuesday, March 21st
Returning campers apply March 1-10th
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Virtual Summer camp enrollment is offered on a first come, first served basis. The 2023 camp application will open to all on Tuesday, March 21.
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To complete the application, you will need the following documents: |
● School/camp medical form and immunization records |
● Health insurance card (if you have one) |
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Saturday March 18, 2023 I 10am-5pm
Free In-Person Event at Northeastern University
(Shillman Hall - 115 Forsyth St.)
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Celebrate the start of the gardening season! The 47th Annual Gardeners’ Gathering brings Boston-area gardeners together for a free day full of informative workshops, engaging exhibitors, networking, and inspiration. |
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Tuesday March 21, 2023 I 5:30 pm- 7:00 pm
Free Virtual Event
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This will be the first virtual session in the series hosted by CPLAN
Session 1: Reshaping Community Wellness for Parents
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Mix of Virtual and In-Person Event’s
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First Teacher is a community of parents and caregivers working together to prepare all children for success in kindergarten and beyond. Check out the virtual and In-person events in March! |
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Event Calendar for Development Disabilities Awareness Month
Virtual and In-Person Event’s
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Boston.gov has this linked on their page, a Massachusetts Special Needs Events Calendar for March Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Events include sensory friendly movie showings/ museum outings, adaptive ice skating, behavior workshops, etc. |
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Family2Family Conference
Saturday, March 25th, from 10:00 am - 3:30 pm EST
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You are invited to join the Family2Family Conference on Saturday, March 25th, 2023!
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Creating Safe and Welcoming Schools |
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We will advocate and organize together to restore community voice in our schools. This is a conference for parents/caregivers, students, and educators to share and learn from each other, support family engagement, promote family advocacy, and strengthen family and educator collaboration. There will be a plenary session where we co-create a big picture vision for what safety in our schools look like, workshop sessions on everything from Youth Voices to Restorative Justice practices, a Community Resource Fair, and door prizes!
The free Conference will take place on Saturday, March 25th, from 10:00 am - 3:30 pm, in person at the Reggie Lewis Center, 1350 Tremont St. Roxbury 02120.
Breakfast, lunch, childcare, and interpretation will be provided to all who register
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Give Kids A Smile
Saturday, March 25, 2023 I 9 am- 3 pm EST
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Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) will be hosting a national outreach program created by the ADA (American Dental Association) Foundation, Give Kids A Smile (GKAS). TUSDM will be opening its doors on Saturday, March 25, 2023 to serve children (ages 0-13) in need of dental care. Children will be evaluated upon an initial screening to receive free treatments based upon need, such as dental exams, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride and restorative procedures. |
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Check out job, volunteer, and grant opportunities available in our community |
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Commonwealth Kitchen is hiring for the positions listed below: |
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● Director of Entrepreneurship
● Director of Manufacturing
● Entrepreneurship Program Manager
● Entrepreneurship Program Associate
● Finance and Administration Associate
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Commonwealth Kitchen is looking for folks passionate about food and equity to join their team. |
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Neighborhood Birth Center’s (NBC) Job Opportunities |
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Neighborhood Birth Center’s (NBC) Manager of Sustainability and Operations supports the organization as part of the core leadership team in the start-up of Boston’s first-of-its-kind birth center. This integral role will provide administrative direction to the organization, helping to build organizational capacity, and build equitable systems to advance the vision. |
Neighborhood Birth Center’s (NBC) Manager of Communications and Engagement supports the Executive Director and Board as part of the core leadership team in the start-up of Boston’s first-of-its-kind birth center. This integral role will provide strategic direction to the organization through thoughtful communications strategy and deep community engagement. The Manager will work to build community around the vision and engage narrative shift in support of community birth. |
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Additional Job Opportunities |
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Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health/REACH 2023
CDC-RFA-DP-23-0014
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- Applications are due Tuesday, April 11, 2023
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View the CDC Announcement here
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View the grant opportunity and access the application here
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- For questions, contact REACH2314@cdc.gov
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Promoting Youth Leadership and Education.
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Grants support Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge. $50,000 to $150,000. |
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Grants address mental health, digital well-being, cybersecurity, digital divide, privacy, data equity, algorithmic bias, and more. $25,000 to $200,000. |
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Grants support nonprofit libraries, educational institutions, and hospitals and clinics. $50,000 to $150,000. |
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Funding priorities: healthy communities. $25,000 max. |
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Have an event, job opportunity, or resource to share with the network?
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Vital Village Networks is a network of residents and agencies committed to maximizing child, family, and community well-being. |
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