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

Thank you for making the National Community Leadership Summit a Success Thank you to everyone who joined in and made the National Community Leadership Summit: Belong. Engage. Learn. Transform. possible. Last Wednesday, we had over 400 committed and diverse leaders actively engage, learn, and building their skills in order to maximize child, family, and community wellbeing across the United States. Wisdom and expertise from over twenty states, multiple cultures, and traditions were harnessed to build our own capacities and engagement strategies to ensure all children and families have equitable access to the tools and resources needed to thrive. Read more here !

Do you have a service opportunity or seasonal event that needs an extra hand? During the month of December, Vital Village will be sharing service opportunities that community members can plug into across the network ! Please email Desi Hartman if you want us to share your opportunity.

Miss our October Network Connection Meeting with the Patch/DCF Team? Check out our Meeting Snapshot for highlights!

See Highlights

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

Emerging Voices: A Community Leadership & Advocacy Training Day 1: November 13, 9am-12pm @ Codman Square Great Hall Day 2: November 14, 9am-3pm @ Codman Square Great Hall This free, one and half-day training is for emerging voices in community leadership. Individuals will have the opportunity to build skills, habits and practices to empower themselves, their families, and their community. This training will explore how life experience can be translated into valued expertise and individuals will make meaningful connections for accountability and personal advancement.  See flyer for more details! Deadline to Apply is this Friday, November 8th For questions, email  vitalvillage@bmc.org  or call   617-414-3674.

Securing Equity in MA State Education Securing Equity in MA State Education Funding with Senator Chang-Diaz - November 20 (Location TBD)  Securing Equity in MA through Action for Boston's Children with City Council President Andrea Campbell - November 21 (Location TBD)

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

November 9: BreakfastIVBrothers 8:30am-11:00am @ The Kroc Center (650 Dudley St.) BREAKFAST IV BROTHERS is a safe space for brothers to converge & promote their collective experiences. A platform for mentoring, sharing, and growing with one another. The goal is to create a consistent platform that promotes cross-generational dialogue. November 16: 1st Annual Cultural Festival 2-6pm @ Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (ISBCC) (100 Malcolm X Blvd.) ISBCC Free Cultural Festival will be open to the public, as well as celebrate and explore community diversity and international immigrants’ culture with a unique program of activities, which aim to increase community members engagement and participation as well as raising the profile of arts and diverse cultures. November 19th : Roxbury Pitch Night 5:30-8pm @ Roxbury Innovation Center (2300 Washington St.) Are you interested in seeing entrepreneurs pitch for prize money? Want to grow your network, make meaningful connections, and witness up and coming businesses in the Greater Roxbury region? This event is place to be, grab your free ticket !

November 20:  Best Hire Boston Career Fair 1130am-2pm @ Courtyard by Marriott Boston Downtown ( 275 Tremont St .) This career fair will allow you to learn about the companies that are hiring and make a great first impression. Register today , and you could get hired live. Be prepared to interview with hiring managers and recruiters from the top hiring companies in Boston. Dress to impress and bring plenty of resumes. November 21 : Community Health Workers Networking Forum 12:00pm - 2pm @ Community Health Education Center ( 35 Northampton St # 5 ) Join this networking forum on "Recovery Coach Supervision." Topics will include: 1) Gaining an understanding of the unique role of a Recovery Coach; 2) Learning about the importance of Recovery Coach supervision, and more! C all CHEC at (617) 534-5181 to RSVP or email checenter@bphc.org. November 22 : A Dialogue on Racial/Ethnic Equity and Policy Proposals to Reduce Child Poverty 9:00AM-3:45 PM @ Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (600 Atlantic Ave) Join this dialogue based on a recent National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine consensus report. Topics will include Racial and Ethnic Inequities in Family Income Stability, Structural Factors and Program and Policy Solutions including the racial wealth gap, baby bonds, and more. Check out more community events on our Website  and Facebook

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

JOBS: Boys and Girls Club of Boston: Associate Director of Development and Marketing As a passionate, mission-driven professional, the Associate Director of Development and Marketing provides leadership and oversight of the development, marketing and fundraising efforts of YouthConnect. This program is designed to address the unique needs of high-risk urban youth who are referred to the program by Boston Police officers.  Apply Here! Project Hope: Manager of Family Child Care Network The Manager of the Family Childcare Network will be responsible for the planning, implementation and management of the Family Childcare Business Enterprise program and will report to the Director of Workforce and Education. Click here for more information ! Apply by submitting your cover letter and resume to Peggy Comfrey. TRAININGS, WORKSHOPS, AND MORE: Community Entrepreneurs Program: 10-Week Business Planning Workshop This workshop is designed to attract local residents, and/or parents and grandparents, interested in community enterprise. At the conclusion of this 10-week seminar, each participant is expected to have a business plan, as well as make a pitch. Check out the Flyer here! Smart From the Start: 8 Week Father's Program Smart from the Start and Lenox Housing Development have partnered up to host and facilitate a free Fathers Program for Fathers who have children between the ages of birth to 5.The program will benefit all fathers and fathers who are looking for resources for housing, parenting, mental health counseling, legal/court advocacy, employment and more. Fore more information contact Keya Jennings Applications Now Open for Boston School Committee As the appointments of two Boston School Committee members expire at the end of the year, the Citizens Nominating Panel is now accepting applications for two, four-year terms on the School Committee.  Learn more about how and when to apply here . The deadline for all Boston School Committee applications is Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019 by 11:59 PM.

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

Resources and Programs! Holiday Assistance: Below are services and agencies to support families during the upcoming holiday season: National Holiday Assistance Programs Massachusetts Holiday Assistance Programs Middlesex and Suffolk County Holiday Assistance Programs In addition, the following organizations provide assistance and resources during the holidays: Salvation Army Christmas In The City My Brother's Keeper Winter Heating Assistance: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can help you pay your winter heating bills. If you're eligible, they'll make payments directly to your utility company. The program runs from November 1 - April 30.  Find out more information!

Scoop on the Stats Explore data related to child and family well-being.

Family Wellness Tips During The Holidays Holidays stress out about 88% of Americans . Below are some tips and best practices to help you navigate this time of year.

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stay Connected ‌ ‌ Have an event, job opportunity, or resource to share with the network? Complete this  form !