Children ages 0-5

The Home for Little Wanderers: Family Resource Center

Mailing Address (if different than physical location): 

Roslindale (main site)
780 American Legion Highway
Roslindale, MA 02131

Dorchester (satellite site)
Up Academy Dorchester
35 Westville Street
Dorchester, MA 02122

Boston (satellite site)
Suffolk County Juvenile Court
24 New Chardon Street
Boston, MA 02114
*check in at Juvenile Clerk’s office, 2nd floor

Phone: 

(617) 469-8501

Email: 

FRC@thehome.org

Website: 

www.thehome.org/frc

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Roslindale

  • Tuesdays 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Wednesdays 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Thursdays 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Fridays 12 noon– 4 p.m.
  • Saturdays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Dorchester 

  • Mondays 9 a.m. – 12 noon
  • Wednesdays 12 noon – 5 p.m.
  • Fridays 9 a.m. – 12 noon

Boston

  • Mondays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Mission: 

The Family Resource Centers (FRCs) of Massachusetts are a statewide network that provides services to strengthen families and keep them connected to resources within their own community. There are FRCs in every county in the Commonwealth. In addition to assisting families, the FRCs support the children of those families that may have behavioral issues and need additional supports.

Locations

Up Academy Dorchester
35 Westville Street
Dorchester, MA 02122
United States
Roslindale (Main site)
780 American Legion Highway
Roslindale, MA 02131
United States
How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

For services or to make a referral, please contact:

Amy McCarthy, Program Director
amccarthy@thehome.org 
FRC@thehome.org
(617) 469-8501

Key Programs Offered: 

How They Can Help
Families come to the FRC for many reasons. The goal of the FRC is to connect those looking for help to the appropriate services, whether they are within the FRC or in the community. Some of the resources the staff at the FRC help families find include:
• Housing support
• Utility assistance
• Legal aid
• Summer camps and sport leagues
• Other family needs

Children who need assistance or are at risk of needing court involvement (Child Requiring Assistance-CRA) can be assessed by an FRC clinician to develop a Family Support Plan to address the child’s and the family’s needs.

Services Offered
The FRC offers an array of services through its experienced staff.
School Liaisons help families with truancy, absenteeism, special education and behavioral issues.

Family Support Workers connect families with resources in the community.
Family Partners help families navigate the child-serving system and use their lived experience as caregivers to partner with other caregivers to help achieve their goals.

Peer Support Workers work with youth to engage them in a process of change by sharing their experiences and struggles
as young adults.

The FRC also facilitates groups and classes for families such as evidence-based parent groups and family enrichment activities.

Temple of Martial Arts

Phone: 

(508) 991-1519

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

 

   
    DAY   TIME   LEVEL / GROUP    
   

  Monday

  5:00 - 5:50 PM   Beginner / Advanced    
   

  Tuesday

  5:00 - 5:50 PM   Beginner / Advanced    
   

  Wednesday

  5:00 - 5:50 PM   Beginner / Advanced    
   

  Thursday

  5:00 - 5:50 PM   Advanced kids only    
   

  Saturday

  9:00 AM

10:00 - 11:30 AM
         Beginner

       Advanced
Mission: 

Temple of Martial Arts (TOMA) is a non-profit organization geared toward the inner-city youth. Martial arts classes are a great way for children to release extra energy in a safe and constructive environment. The highly trained staff at the Temple of Martial Arts channels the students’ energy in a positive way while teaching personal life skills such as self-discipline, respect, and courtesy.

Location

Healthworks at Codman
450 Washington Street (Healthworks at Codman)
Dorchester, MA 02124
United States
Created: 
05/10/2011

Boston Community Partnerships for Children

Phone: 

(617) 635-6538

Fax: 

(617) 635-6519

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

                      Contact Coordinator

Mission: 

The Boston Community Partnerships for Children exists to ensure access to a high quality early educational experience, regardless of setting, for all of Boston's children and their families.

The Boston Community Partnerships for Children works to ensure that parents and families of children ages 0-8 have access to quality child care. Community Partnerships brings together all sectors (center based, family child care, head start and public schools) of the early childhood community in Boston to make child care better and more affordable.

Currently, the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) funds the work of the Community Partnerships program through annual grants. Boston uses its annual grant to improve the quality of care offered by participating providers. All providers are welcome to join their neighborhood cluster and participate.

Location

Boston Community Partnerships for Children
443 Warren Street Suite 4
Dorchester, MA 02121
United States
Key Partners: 

Boston’s CPC Governing Council has 28 members who are representatives of parents, public schools, Head Start Programs, private center-based preschool programs, family childcare systems and independent providers, and community based organizations. The Boston Public Schools is the fiscal lead agent for the partnership.

Boston Public Schools, Fiscal Agent; ABCD, Associated Early Care and Education, Boston Alliance for Early Education, Boston Association for the Education of Young Children, Child Care Choices of Boston, College Bound Dorchester, Countdown to Kindergarten, East Boston Social Centers, Head Start (East Boston, South Side), Old South Preschool, Parent-Child Home Program, ReadBoston, more.

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

----------

Key Programs Offered: 

Neighborhood Cluster Agents: Local planning and coordination are critical components to our work. Since Boston is a large city with various needs in each neighborhood, we have created Neighborhood-based clusters. At the cluster level, one agency serves as neighborhood cluster agent and convenes meetings, coordinates cluster plans and activities, represents the cluster at citywide Community Partnerships Council Meetings, reports back to cluster members on citywide programs and activities, and acts as business agent for the cluster. 

Dorchester
Neighborhood Cluster Agent: Mary Kinsella 
Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester
1135 Dorchester Avenue - Dorchester, MA 02125
Phone: (617) 288-7120 

Mattapan
Neighborhood Cluster Agent: Lillie Searcy
Mattapan Family Service Center 
535 River Street
Mattapan, MA 02126
Phone: (617) 298-1785 x201 
Fax: (617) 298-6902

Also (or Previously) Known As...: 

Boston CPC

Created: 
05/04/2011

Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition

Phone: 

617-696-2900

Mission: 

The Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition draws on the wonderful ethnic and cultural diversity of the Mattapan community to promote a healthy living environment, with a focus on access to healthy foods and the promotion of physical fitness for all ages.

Location

1613 Blue Hill Ave
Mattapan, MA 02126
United States
Key Partners: 

ABCD Head StartB-3 Community Services Unit of the Boston Police DepartmentBoston Organization of Nutritionists and Dietitians of Color, the Boston Public Health Commission,  Brookwood Community Farm, Church of the Holy Spirit, Christine’s Fitness Vibe, Citizen Schools, Mildred Avenue Middle SchoolCity Natives Nursery/Boston Natural Areas Network, Clark-Cooper Community Garden, Colorado Street Neighborhood Association, Community Economic Development Assistance CorporationThe Food Project, Harvard Prevention Research Center, Jubilee Christian Church,  Mattapan Civic Association, Mattapan Community Development Corporation, Mattapan Cultural Arts Council, Mattapan Community Health Center, Mattapan Family Services Center, Morton Street Board of Commerce, Nutrition and Fitness for Life Program, Boston Medical Center, Youth and Family Enrichment Services.

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the Mildred Avenue Community Center, 5 Mildred Ave. in Mattapan. All meetings are open to the public.

If you would like more information about the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition, or to find out how you can get involved, please contact MFFC at info@mattapanfoodandfitness.org.

Key Programs Offered: 

The Mattapan Farmers Market: The MFFC sponsors a weekly farmers market in Mattapan Square on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July through October. This year, the market will be held in the parking lot of the Church of the Holy Spirit, 525 River St. form July 10th through October 2. At the market you can find a wide variety of fresh, affordable, organic fruits and vegetables from local farms. Farmers at the market accept EBT/SNAP (Food Stamps), WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Coupons.

Mattapan Moving for Life: To promote the utilization of community resources for physical fitness, the Coalition is establishing an annual Mattapan Moving for Life fitness event.

Healthy on the Block: Join MFFC to help corner stores in Mattapan offer healthier options, including better quality fruits and vegetables at a reasonable price. The Strategic Alliance for Health Corner Store Initiative is working with community members and organizations to increase community access to healthy affordable food through community corner stores. Help MFFC to plan for this project and identify corner stores to participate in this community- supported effort. Contact the program coordinator, Cassandra Cato-Lois for more information about how to get involved.

Created: 
04/26/2011

Child Care Choices of Boston

Phone: 

617-542-5437 (KIDS)

Fax: 

617-292-4629

Mission: 

Child Care Choices of Boston (CCCB) serves as the Child Care Resource and Referral Agency for Boston, Brookline, Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop.

CCCB plays a key role in making child care work for everyone by providing support, resources, technical assistance and training to a diverse community of families, child care providers, employers and businesses in the greater Boston area.

Each year, CCCB provides more than 6,000 low-income families with voucher management services that enable access to much needed child care. The program disburses more than $43 million annually, while working with close to 1,000 child care providers in the region.

Location

Child Care Choices of Boston
105 Chauncy Street 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02111
United States
Key Programs Offered: 

Index of child care for parents, special needs support, financial assistance for child care, provider business assistance, English/Spanish professional development, resources for parents and providers.

Also (or Previously) Known As...: 

Part of Action for Boston Community Development/ABCD

Created: 
04/26/2011

Smart from the Start

Phone: 

(617) 858-4687

Mission: 

Smart from the Start is a community engagement and family support initiative of the City of Boston. It promotes school readiness by providing early learning opportunities and family support for families with children, ages 0 to 5, living in or around Boston Housing Developments in Dorchester, Roslindale, Mattapan, and Charlestown.

Location

Franklin Field Resource Center
70 Ames Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
United States
Key Partners: 

City of Boston, Thrive in 5

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Call Dorchester Program coordinator at (617)858-4687 with questions or to register for programs. Some events and programs may be drop-in. 

Main office is located at the Thomas Johnson Community Center, 68 Annunciation Road, Boston, MA 02120. Phone: (617) 635-5030. Fax: (617) 635-5704.

Key Programs Offered: 

Parent Power Hour: Are you a Parent or Caregiver?  Empower yourself and socialize with other parents to learn new ideas that lead to a brighter future. Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Program runs all year. 

Nurturing Smart Prenatal Moms: Are you pregnant? Learn about stages of pregnancy, infant massage, nurturing yourself and much more! Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Recurring program. Call to confirm.

Playgroups: Infant: Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.;
Toddler Play Groups: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.;
Preschool Play Group: Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Created: 
04/19/2011

FAMILY, inc.

Phone: 

(617) 969-1454

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

 

Codman Square Health Council Meeting
  • Third Thursday of every month
  • Codman Square Health Center (637 Washington Street, Dorchester) Board Room
Mission: 

To create secure and nurturing environments of mutual support in which all children and families can thrive. A community organizing system, we create partnerships with individuals and institutions to connect educational, health care, economic, and other systems to collaboratively create healthy, safe, sustainable communities throughout the world.

Our values:
  • Every person is valued: from the youngest to the oldest, from the richest to the poorest
  • For healthy development, all children need to be nurtured through intergenerational relationships;
  • Harmonious support systems enhance the lives of children and families within the community;
  • Society’s systems should be in harmony with nature’s systems;
  • We must think globally and act locally – FAMILY starts at the local level and develops sustainably;
  • We are one family.

 

Location

80 Waban Hill Road
Newton, MA 02467
United States
Key Partners: 

Community Agencies and Organizations:
Artists for Humanity
BOLD Teens
Boston Neighborhood Network
City Year
Codman Square Merchants Association
Codman Square Neighborhood Council
Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corp.
Dorchester Neighborhood Service Center
Roxbury Youth Works
STRIVE, Inc. 

 

Education Institutions:
 
City and State Departments
Mayor Menino
Boston Police Department 
Boston Public Health Commission
Department of Youth Services
 
Business Community
Valvoline, Inc.
Mount Washington Bank
Silverbrook Farm
Coutinho Farm
 
Partners in Haiti:
 
Community Agencies and Organizations 
Association of Schools and Teachers
City Of Verrettes
Caisse Populaire Solidarite Des Verrettes (Bank)
FATEM
ODKM (Desarmes)
MCC Desarmes
Faith in Action International
Societe D’exportation de Fruits et Legumes
The Haiti Connection
ODVA
 
Education Institutions:
DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Tuskegee University
University of Fondwa
Ecole Normale de Liancourt (Local Teachers College)
Ecole Providence
 
Government Agencies:
Bureau de District Scolaire des Verrettes
How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

The individuals and families who take part in FAMILY are invited to become members of FAMILY. They are not clients, but members. The benefits of membership will vary from one individual and family to another, depending on their needs, but the major benefit is the security of being part of a caring network of mutual support.

The mission of FAMILY is global, and our vision is for its concept to spread in very natural ways. We are eager to engage in dialogue about all aspects of FAMILY, including potential areas of collaboration with interested parties. We invite you to join us.

Key Programs Offered: 

FAMILY works at both the level of the individual and the organization, in both Codman Square, Dorchester, and in Haiti:

  • We connect individuals with existing resources in the community so that they are surrounded by a uniquely tailored network of mutual support. To do this, we place FAMILY Advocates into strategic locations within the community to work directly with children and their families.
  • We partner with organizations to enhance their capacity to provide effective support to children and families by eliminating redundancy, improving community responsiveness, and sharing resources. To do this, our Director of Community Organization convenes gatherings with partner organizations where effective strategizing can occur. 
Also (or Previously) Known As...: 

Fathers And Mothers Infants eLders and Youth

Created: 
03/17/2011

Dorchester FAMILY School Initiative

Mailing Address (if different than physical location): 

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Mission: 

 

The Dorchester FAMILY School Initiative (DFSI) provides academic, enrichment, and wellness services to our partner schools: the Oliver W. Holmes, Lee Academy, and Joseph Lee Elementary Schools. Other DFSI partners include DotWell, SCI, and FAMILY, Inc.

Our mission is to remove barriers to learning; to improve children’s physical, social, and emotional wellness; and to connect students and families to their schools and community.

You can read about DFSI Partners and DFSI Programs and Services, or take a moment to learn about Full Service Community Schools.

Location

1452 Dorchester Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02122
United States
Key Partners: 

 

The Oliver W. Holmes Elementary School is a K1-5 school of 282 students near Four Corners.

The Lee Academy is a K0-1 pilot school near Franklin Field.

The Joseph Lee Elementary School is a grade 2-6 school of 300 students near Franklin Field.

DotWell is the partnership of Codman Square Health Center and Dorchester House Multi-Service Center. DotWell is DFSI’s lead agency.

FAMILY, Inc. is a non-profit organization that works as a community organizing system. By creating partnerships with individuals and institutions, FAMILY, Inc. connects educational, health care, economic, and other systems to collaboratively create healthy, safe, sustainable communities throughout the world.

Social Capital Inc. strengthens communities by connecting diverse individuals and organizations through civic engagement initiatives.

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

 

For more information, families may contact:

Key Programs Offered: 

Created: 
02/06/2013

Boston United for Students

Mission: 

Boston United for Students is a broad-based coalition committed to improving the quality of the educational experience for all Boston students and teachers. We believe that there is an urgency to significantly improve student achievement so that Boston public school students graduate college ready and career prepared. We know that achieving these goals will require a fundamental change in the next Boston teachers' contract to create new working relationships and operational flexibility that will enable students and teachers to meet the challenges of public education in the 21st Century. Our drive for student success is not limited to changes in the teachers' contract. It also includes advocacy for improved administrative practices and earnest implementation of current and new contract reform measures.

Key Partners: 

For a list of member organizations, visit http://www.bostonunitedforstudents.org/Pages/members.html.

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Visit http://www.bostonunitedforstudents.org/Pages/get_involved.htmlTo make your voices heard, the community is also urged to call, email or fax the School Committee (telephone) 617-635-9014 (fax): 617-635-9689,feedback@bostonpublicschools.org.

Community supporters also can call the Boston Teachers’ Union at (617)288–2000, fax: (617)288–0024. Advocates can also make their voices known to the City Council at (617)635-3040 or the Mayor’s Office at Boston City Hall, (617)635-3151.

To contact us email:info@bostonunitedforstudents.org.

Created: 
03/14/2011

Boston Medical Center

Phone: 

617.638.8000

Website: 
Mission: 

Boston Medical Center is an extraordinary community of health care providers devoted to the proposition that every person, regardless of his or her social or economic circumstances, deserves the best health care.

Our mission is simple: to provide exceptional care, without exception.

Located in Boston's historic South End neighborhood, BMC is a private, not-for-profit, 639-licensed bed, academic medical center and the primary teaching affiliate for Boston University School of Medicine. Consistent with its mission to provide the best in health care to all, BMC is the largest safety net hospital in New England and reaches into the community as a founding partner of Boston HealthNet, a network of 15 community health centers through Boston serving more than a quarter million people annually.

Location

Boston Medical Center
One Boston Medical Center Place,
Boston, MA 02118
United States
Key Partners: 

BU School of MedicineBMC HealthNet Plan

Boston HealthNet:

Codman Square Health Center
637 Washington Street
Dorchester
617.825.9660
(http://www.codman.org)

Dorchester House Multi-Service Center
1353 Dorchester Avenue
Dorchester
617.288.3230
(http://www.dorchesterhouse.org)

East Boston Neighborhood Health Center 
10 Gove Street
East Boston
617.569.5800
(http://www.ebnhc.org)

Geiger-Gibson Community Health Center
250 Mount Vernon Street
Dorchester
617.288.1140

Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center
4199 Washington Street
Roslindale
617.323.4440
(http://www.roslindale.org)

Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center
632 Blue Hill Avenue
Dorchester
617.825.3400
(http://www.harvardstreet.org)

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
780 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston
857.654.1000
(http://www.bhchp.org) 

Manet Community Health Center 
110 West Squantum Street
North Quincy
617.376.3030
(http://www.manetchc.org)

Mattapan Community Health Center 
1425 Blue Hill Avenue
Mattapan
617.296.0061
(http://www.mattapanchc.org)

Neponset Health Center
398 Neponset Avenue
Dorchester
617.282.3200

Roxbury Comprehensive Community Health Center
435 Warren Street
Roxbury
617.442.7400

South Boston Community Health Center 
409 West Broadway
South Boston
617.269.7500
(http://www.sbchc.org)

South End Community Health Center 
1601 Washington Street
Boston
617.425.2000
(http://www.sechc.org)

Upham's Corner Health Center 
500 Columbia Road
Dorchester
617.287.8000
(http://www.uphamscornerhealthctr.com)

Whittier Street Health Center
1125 Tremont Street
Roxbury
617.427.1000
(http://www.wshc.org) 

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Prospective volunteers can visit Volunteer Servicescall 617.414.5122, or email Volunteer.Services@bmc.org. Otherwise, call one of the numbers listed below, or view the Provider Directory.

Health Connection — Call 800.841.4325

Make an Appointment. Find a Doctor. Get Health Information.

Call BMC’s Health Connection toll-free atBoston Medical Center - Health Connection 800.841.4325.

The Health Connection is available Monday thru Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm. After normal business hours, callers may leave a message to be returned the following business day by a nurse.

The Health Connection is a toll-free telephone information service. The staff, which include registered nurses, help patients, families and members of the community access Boston Medical Center's physicians, programs and services.

Main Switchboard
Call: 617.638.8000

General Information
Call: 617.638.6800

Health Connection
Call: 800.841.4325

Medical Records
Call: 617.414.4201

Patient Billing
Call: 617.638.6157

TTY
Call: 800.439.2370

Key Programs Offered: 

BMC HealthNet Plan: BMC HealthNet Plan is the largest health maintenance organization for both MassHealth and Commonwealth Care programs. The mission of BMC HealthNet Plan is to be a quality and cost effective provider-sponsored health maintenance organization supplying excellent care coordination and services.

  • Sunny Start - Health Moms & Babies: BMC HealthNet Plan Members that choose to enroll in Sunny Start get help from care managers, including

    • Customized care planning for low - high risk pregnancies
    • Access to registered nurse skilled in obstetrics/newborn care
    • Free car seat (MassHealth members)
    • Free manual breast pump
    • What To Do When You're Having a Baby book & other literature
    • Childbirth/Parenting Education
    • Transportation assistance
    • Help finding community resources

Haitian Health Institute (HHI): In order to meet challenges to improved access and health services for Haitians, a consortium of health care professionals mobilized to establish the Haitian Health Institute (HHI) in 1996 rather than have disparate clinics across metropolitan Boston. The Administrative Office of the Haitian Health Institute is located at Boston Medical Center, 771 Albany Street, Dowling 4, Room 4416, Boston, MA 02118. You can phone them at 617.414.7702, send a fax to 617.414 3810, email hhi@bmc.org or view MyDorchester.org's community guide entry here.

Created: 
04/09/2011
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