Currently, Family Nurturing Center is coordinating some face-to-face programs outdoors and in-person pickups of materials, but we have not yet begun with indoor programming. We will provide updates as things change during the summer and fall.
Our staff is working from their homes and our offices to support families by telephone, Zoom, Facebook, and other social media. We are finding ways to connect regularly, distribute resources safely, and share with parents helpful curriculum content and fun, nurturing activities to do at home and outdoors.
We are posting resource information and links below, on our main Family Nurturing Center Facebook page, and on our Dorchester, Allston-Brighton, and Chelsea pages.
Please refer to our Staff Directory to reach individual staff members (email preferable).
Here are some important tips from the Nurturing Program as we slowly get back to normal: keep structure and routine in your home, model patience and calm, make time to nurture yourself, maintain appropriate expectations for children of different ages, have empathy for family members' feelings and needs, and be sure to laugh and play whenever you can.
Boston Family Engagement Network links: BFEN Coronavirus response; BFEN Neighborhood Centers Listing and Contacts
For a printable list of emergency resources: https://bit.ly/3bbhdA9
Department of Early Education and Care:
Emergency Child Care and updated health and safety protocol.
Financial support guidance, more info for small business and unemployed workers
Attorney General's Office: guidance on private-pay child care, assistance for small businesses
3-1-1 City of Boston Non-Emergency Services Line
2-1-1 State of Massachusetts Non-Emergency Services Line
Mayor Kim Janey's Hotline (617) 534-5050
City of Boston Updates: https://bit.ly/341QaUN
Multi-lingual Resources: Coronavirus/COVID-19: https://bit.ly/2wQUn1B
Boston Area Resources List (State Rep. Liz Miranda): https://bit.ly/3b4RUzc
Resources for Families with Young Children and Providers (Mass Association for Infant Mental Health) https://bit.ly/3aZACmM
Apply for unemployment benefits here: https://bit.ly/2JRW9ma
Step by step instructions with visuals how to apply for unemployment: https://bit.ly/3bHt7l2
Covid-19 Resource Guide for Boston's Immigrants: https://bit.ly/3axD98f
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition https://miracoalition.org/resources/covid19
Food Resource List & Maps:
The Greater Boston Food Bank: https://bit.ly/2x9Nt7y
Massachusetts WIC Nutrition Program: https://bit.ly/3bHhbQn
Finding formula and WIC foods: https://bit.ly/2UpMwRD
Map of Meal Sites for Children and Youth (City of Boston) https://bit.ly/38X7X0t
Dorchester: https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/embed/d/dorchester_1.pdf
Allston/Brighton: https://bit.ly/38Xp1U4
Hyde/Park: https://bit.ly/3dd5ylF
Charlestown: https://bit.ly/2IXoPJS
Roxbury/Mission Hill: https://bit.ly/2Uj84hG
To apply for SNAP Benefits:https://bit.ly/343Slrg
The FoodSource Hotline: 800-654-8333.
Help with SNAP applications over the phone 8am-7pm, Mon-Fri and 10am-2pm on Saturdays throught the crisis.
ABCD Food Pantries: 617-348-6559
Project Bread is providing free meals: https://bit.ly/3e2tCrX
Parents Helping Parents online support groups https://www.parentshelpingparents.org
For a quick trip to info about programs and resources right in your community, use the following links.
Allston-Brighton Family Support Network page
Dorchester Family Support Network page
Hyde Park/Roslindale Family Support Network page
Boston Family Engagement Network page (for Networks around the city)
Chelsea Community Connections page
To learn more about Family Engagement, click HERE.
Ryan graduated in June, 2020 from our only Nurturing Fathers' Program to start in person and end online. Learn how he and his fellow dads managed Zoom classes and supported each others' growth and parenting in a pandemic. Watch "Ryan's Story".
"Ryan's Story" was filmed and edited by John Badalament, Director of Programs for The Fatherhood Project at Massachusetts General Hospital. John is also a speaker, author, educator, and filmmaker.
Family Nurturing Center is thrilled to announce that our Changing Children's Chances capital campaign fundraising is completed! Thanks to many generous individuals and foundations, we achieved our goal to create a Family and Training Center in the heart of Dorchester's Bowdoin-Geneva neighborhood. We moved in on January 23rd, 2020.
The new 12,800 square foot building will be a hub for all our family support and engagement programs in this community and around Boston. We will reach even more families to build parents' skills as nurturers and teachers and develop children's school readiness. We invite you to visit us in our new home.
FNC's 2020 Annual Report - Read more at this link
