"Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars... Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

— Martin Luther King Jr

In June, we were honored to award and celebrate the Certificate in Community Leadership and Advocacy graduating class of 2023-24. Members of this class completed a year-long, 9-credit, college-level program dedicated to the development and practicing of solutions-oriented advocacy and servant leadership skills. The Community Leadership and Advocacy program nourishes and builds upon the capabilities of community leaders, uplifting and empowering champions of child, family, and community well-being. 

Who better to speak to the impact of this program than our 2023-24 graduates. This piece of testimony was shared following the graduation ceremony last month:

"At the beginning of this course, I accepted a leadership position, but was quickly filled with self-doubt regarding my abilities to lead. However, this course has provided me with a clear understanding of what it means to be a servant leader and how to inspire others through my voice. I discovered that I don't just want to lead people; I want to ignite a fire in them that will inspire them to be the best version of themselves. I am determined to become a powerful BIPOC leader who fearlessly defies all odds and breaks stereotypes associated with leadership to pave the way for future generations of diverse leaders, and I owe a great deal of gratitude to this course for helping me regain my voice."

Scholarships for the 2024-25 Certificate Program are available, and applications are open now until August 15th, 2024. We would love to have you! We welcome you to review the application, and find more information in the Network Resources section of this newsletter. For additional information, contact Leidy.quiceno@bmc.org.

Register today for Vital Village Networks’ 2024 National Community Leadership Summit, from October 1-2 in Boston, MA. We hope you can join this two-day gathering of fellow change makers and advocates committed to child and family well-being, focused on the theme, Radical Connection and Renewal for Collective Liberation. Share your story by submitting an abstract to our Lightning Talk Program by August 30, 2024. Learn more on our summit website and sign up to receive the latest summit news.

Housing Crisis Community Workgroup Meeting: Call to Action this Summertime!

We invite you to join us on Tuesday, July 23rd from 5:30 - 6:30 PM for this Community Data Workgroup. This opportunity is open to residents, students, advocacy leaders, and community organizations in the Greater Boston area.

My'Self' in the World Children's Storytimes

Attend the My “Self” In the World Children Storytime series with your young children, Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. ET via Zoom. Join us for readings, activities, and reflections focused on social-emotional learning. Plus, visit the Vital Village Calendar for pre-recorded Storytimes on the 4th and 11th.

Certificate in Community Leadership and Advocacy Program Scholarship

Would you like to develop or put to practice your solutions-oriented advocacy and servant leadership skills? Apply today for the 2024-2025 Certificate in Community Leadership and Advocacy Program Scholarship.

In partnership with Urban College of Boston, Vital Village Networks is accepting applications for scholarships to the Certificate in Community Leadership and Advocacy, a year-long, 9-credit, college-level certificate program that builds upon the capabilities of community leaders who are working to maximize child, family, and community wellbeing in Greater Boston. Find more information and apply using this link. The deadline for applications is August 15th, 2024.

From Housing Crisis to Housing Justice: Take the Survey!

Thank you for supporting the "From Housing Crisis to Housing Justice" workgroup meeting series. Your involvement in mobilizing underrepresented communities and raising awareness about housing injustices in Greater Boston is appreciated. 

Our goal is to gather 400 surveys/community voices by the end of the summer. So far, we have collected over 90 surveys. Please help us spread the word and share the survey link with others. If you haven't taken the survey yet, you can access it here: Community Housing Assessment | QuestionPro Survey. (Flyers w/ QR Code included! Thank you for participating.)

For volunteering opportunities, partnerships, collaborations, or general questions, contact Leidy.quiceno@bmc.org or 617-780-7991.

BMC’s commitment to health equity is in the spotlight thanks to this mini documentary produced for MassMutual Foundation by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions. The video features BMC’s VP of Mission Thea James, MD, pediatrician Sara Stulac, MD, and their commitment to wealth-to-health initiatives supported by MassMutual Foundation.

Please join PureSpark to hike Blue Hills Reservation on the third Saturday of every month, from now until September! Bring your children and family members. The hike is perfect for children ages 5+, but not suitable for children in strollers. This is a free event; Eventrbrite registration is requested.

Come celebrate Jamaica's 62nd anniversary with us at JAMA Festival - a day filled with music, food, and culture.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is delighted to announce the commencement of its summer American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program.

enhancing water safety and swimming skills for participants ages 4-12 years

Cool off and protect your family from extreme heat by utilizing The City of Boston’s Pools and Splash Pads. There are 21 pools and numerous splash pads citywide, in addition to those operated by partner operations. Learn more and view the City’s Pool and Splash Pads Map.

Sign up for the City of Boston’s Alert Boston system and be notified in the event of an emergency. The city coordinates with emergency management, preparedness, and homeland security to provide alerts and resources in an emergency. Also, in extreme heat, find safety tips and resources online at boston.gov/heat.

View this resource from the Child Witness to Violence Project that outlines when, where, and how to access help for children who have witnessed violence. Explore warning signs that a child needs support and connect with resources for intervention and support. Click here for a Spanish translation.

Events, resources, and opportunities by our partners and community organizations

This is a part-time position for Health Care For All (HCFA). HCFA is a state-based consumer health advocacy organization with a mission to advocate for health justice in Massachusetts. The Health Ambassadors will be essential members of HCFA’s Health Ambassadors Program for Older Adults and will serve as “connectors” for older adults in a wide variety of areas, meeting older adults where they are and helping them get what they need. Learn more and apply here.

Introduction:

• The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) is a tool developed by the CDC to assess community resilience to external stresses like natural disasters and disease outbreaks.
• SVI evaluates socio-economic and demographic factors to provide a vulnerability score for communities.
• It helps public health officials and emergency responders in planning and resource allocation.

Problem:

• Increased Risk during Emergencies: High SVI areas face significant impacts due to inadequate infrastructure and limited resources.
• Inequitable Resource Distribution: Without SVI, resources might not reach the most affected populations, worsening disparities.
• Challenges in Emergency Response: Vulnerable areas struggle with evacuation, healthcare access, and recovery efforts, leading to higher mortality and economic losses.

Solution:

• Assessment and Mapping: SVI uses 15 census variables to create detailed vulnerability profiles, identifying high-need areas.
• Targeted Resource Allocation: Ensures critical supplies and support services are directed to the most vulnerable communities.
• Improved Emergency Planning: Tailors emergency plans to address specific community vulnerabilities, including evacuation and healthcare access.
• Policy and Long-Term Interventions: Guides investments in infrastructure, economic opportunities, and healthcare to reduce long-term vulnerability.
• Community Resilience Building: Enhances overall community resilience by addressing and mitigating factors contributing to high vulnerability.

Link to the SVI Tool

Color Legend (Low to High SVI)

• Light Yellow: Low Vulnerability
• Light Green: Moderate Vulnerability
• Light Blue: Medium Vulnerability
• Blue: High Vulnerability
• Grey: No Data

References:

• (N.d.). Retrieved from https://svi.cdc.gov/map/data/docs/SVI2022Documentation_5.17.2024.pdf#
• CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index (CDC/ATSDR SVI). (2024). Retrieved from https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/placeandhealth/svi/index.html
• Climate Vulnerability: External... (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.vitalvillage-housingdata.org/climate-external-quality

Vital Village Networks is a network of residents and agencies committed to maximizing child, family, and community well-being.

www.vitalvillage.org