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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONSFAN x Wayside Holiday Gift Drive Now - December 18th! Please join us in supporting Wayside Youth and Family Support Network of Medford in a holiday gift drive. Wayside is a mental health agency that works with families to provide mental health treatment in the home. Gifts collected will be given to youth ages 4-18. Any donation is appreciated. You may also purchase from their Amazon wishlist, and send gifts directly to the organization. Drop off locations:
Suggested gifts include: Board Games, Card Games, Lego sets, K'nex, Snap Circuits, Art & Craft Supplies, Nail Polish, Gift Cards Earth Day Service & Stories
Book List (suggested age listed after title)
Videos |
As parents, we’re always searching for ways to teach our children about the world around them, but it is important for us to acknowledge our biases and examine their roots. As we recently celebrated the life of Martin Luther King Jr and head into Black History Month, it is a great time for us to look into historical events from a perspective that may be different from what we were taught. Please refer to the list below for books that highlight Black historical figures and their contributions to our country.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:
Thanks to the FAN Community and Winchester Residents for making this year’s annual Thanksgiving Baskets Drive our most successful ever! Through your generosity, we had over 50 groups help pack 54 full food baskets on Family Volunteer Day to benefit the Council of Social Concern. This was our largest donation ever and filled an entire moving truck! We also donated an excess of food staples and collected over $1,900 to contribute to the Council’s Food Bank. We were blown away by the response and are so grateful for all of your time, energy and donations. We could not have done this without you! Special thanks to our sponsors and partners below:
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FAN partnered with the Network for Social Justice to Celebrate Indigenous People’s Day on Monday, October 11th. Registration for the Celebration filled quickly, but the Network will have additional events and resources as part of their work with the Indigenous Peoples' Advocacy Committee (IPAC) to honor Native American Indian Heritage Month during the month of November.
For those who were unable to attend the event in person, we compiled some age appropriate books to share with your children:
If you are interested in exploring more literature by Indigenous Authors or researching books to ensure they are inclusive and representative of Native cultures, American Indians in Children’s Literature is a great blog to reference for recommendations.
FAN’s mission is to provide resources and a support network for parents. As parents, we’re always searching for ways to teach our children about the world around them. FAN is committed to provide resources on an ongoing basis that address current events and social justice issues.
Current events add to the emotional strain we have all been feeling from the ongoing pandemic, and social injustices we continue to learn about and work through. All of these events stir many different emotions that are hard to harness and express. As parents, we’re always searching for ways to teach our children about the world around them. We all want to teach our children to be kind, informed, empathetic, proactive anti-racist members of society that support marginalized communities.
If you are looking for ways to discuss the crisis in Afghanistan with your children, the following resources will foster discussions about the country, its history, culture, and refugees. While these resources do not address the current crisis specifically, they will open the door to helping your child understand another perspective, and allow you to share details about why people are currently seeking refuge.
National Geographic Kids - Afghanistan Overview
Educational Resources
Four Feet Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed Harvard Graduate School of Education Reading - introduces the concepts of refugee camps, water scarcity, sharing and friendship in spite of adversity
Ziba Came on a Boat by Liz Lofthouse illustrates the experience of fleeing as a refugee and the hope of freedom in a new land
The Proudest Blue Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali - highlights cultural differences surrounding hijab traditions, bullying and internal strength/perseverance
We encourage you to buy books from your local bookshop or black-owned bookstores:
Book Ends - Winchester, MA
Frugal Bookstore - Boston’s only black-owned bookstore
If you have any questions regarding specific resources or suggestions for social justice topics, please email communityconnections@fanwinchester.org
FAN’s mission is to provide resources and a support network for parents. Spring cleaning? We have seen lots of requests for organizations that are accepting donations in the current COVID-19 climate. Below is a round-up of a spectrum of great organizations currently accepting donations. Please visit their individual websites to review their current guidelines and policies, which are subject to change.
Micro Pantry at Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church: small pantry (looks like a little free library) stocked with non-perishable pantry essentials located at 34 Dix Street, Winchester
The Jenks Center - Winchester resource for seniors, can often accept medical equipment to loan to residents
En Ka Society - exchange (accepts donations of new or gently used clothing) and pantry (unexpired food, toiletries, feminine health products)
Heartbeat Burlington - drop off items Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:30-12:45. Small operation with limited space, so contact ahead of time to coordinate particularly for larger items
Woburn Council of Social Concern - Food Pantry non perishable items, grocery bags
See Individual Department Wishlists: Children - diapers, new kids underwear size 2-6, summer clothes through size 6. Family childcare - art supplies, kids puzzles, sports/play equipment
Little Fox Shop - affiliated with the Arlington Library Facebook Page
General Donation guidelines - childrens clothes, toys, books, infant/toddler gear, maternity clothes
Catie’s Closet Boston - Clothing, toiletries
Mission of Deeds - Guidelines Furniture, linens (only new due to COVID), kitchen/housewares, Pack ‘n Plays
Northeast Animal Shelter - pet food, toys, animal medical supplies, blankets, sheets, towels
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:
How to talk to young children about poverty and giving
Those Shoes (YouTube Read Aloud)
By Maribeth Boelts explores the themes of generosity, friendship and the difference between needs and wants
FAN’s mission is to provide resources and a support network for parents. As we reach the anniversary of the start of the pandemic, we recognize the huge impact it has had on our lives, including our mental health. Research shows worrying increases in anxiety, depression, substance abuse and suicide ideation in children, teens and adults. Given these trends, we are highlighting resources available if you or a loved one needs help. In addition, given heavy news coverage of recent events involving mental health and suicidal thoughts, it’s important to normalize these conversations and be mindful of what you say and don’t to others including friends and family. You never know what someone is struggling with behind the scenes.
Source: Suicide Prevention Hotline - Know the risk factors and warning signs
Source: Mayo Clinic - What to do if you suspect someone is suicidal
LOCAL RESOURCES:
INTERFACE Mental Health Referral Helpline Confidential and Free support for Winchester Residents - (888) 244-6843 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Central Middlesex Family Support Group for parents of teens and young adults, ages 13 to 23 meets on the 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month 7 – 8:30 pm via Zoom contact ttapsgroup@gmail.com for more information
NATIONAL RESOURCES:
For pandemic-specific mental health resources, head to covidmentalhealthsupport.org.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night, or chat online.
Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.
For people who identify as LGBTQ, if you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or suicidal, you can also contact The Trevor Project's TrevorLifeline 24/7/365 at 1-866-488-7386.
The Trans Lifeline is a peer support service run by trans people, for trans and questioning callers.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:
For younger audiences, we can start these conversations by talking early and often about feelings, particularly BIG feelings that young children have as they learn to navigate the world around them. For toddlers, preschoolers and younger school children, giving our kids the language and tools to express and work through emotions makes it easier for them to make sense of their feelings. In theory this makes parenting easier but acknowledging and accepting feelings while setting behavioral boundaries can be hard to navigate. As kids age, do your best to provide open lines of communication, time and space to process events and a safe way to release emotions in an age appropriate manner. Below are some great books to enjoy online, rent from the library or purchase for your personal use.
Daniel Tiger has great episodes for coping with feelings, including Daniel gets Mad and Daniel Feels Left out - both have songs that help little ones normalize, recognize and move past these feelings
I’m Feeling Mad book
I’m Feeling Sadbook
Slumberkins is a great resource for Educational Emotional Learning. It’s a woman owned company headed by a family therapist and educator who were once featured on Shark Tank. The Sharks passed but this duo knew their mission of providing research based tools to support early educational learning was too important to ignore. They have several free resources on their website and their books and products cover important topics including authenticity, self esteem, conflict resolution, family change, grief/loss, and stress relief. They sell books separately or packaged with lovies or stuffed animals to help children connect to the stories.
How to talk to your children about...
FAN’s mission is to provide resources and a support network for parents. Recent events have rocked our worlds and we’re feeling many different emotions that are hard to harness and express. As parents, we’re always searching for ways to teach our children about the world around them. After all, we all want to teach our children to be kind, informed, empathetic, and anti-racist members of society.
There are so many resources available it can be overwhelming. FAN is committed to giving you a few resources on an ongoing basis that can help you facilitate thoughtful, anti-racist conversation with your children.
HIGHLIGHT: How to talk to your kids about social unrest and violence in the Capitol
Talking to Children about Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers from the National Association of School Psychologists
How to talk to children about the Capitol Riots: An age by age guide from Today Parenting
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:
A children’s book highlighting the 1963 Children’s March in Birmingham, Alabama inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King
Video includes a guided craft to make your own protest sign
Rise Up and Write It, by Nandini Ahuja
Teaches children about civic engagement and activism tools, including pull out letters and petitions to inspire kids to use their voices to change their communities and make an impact in the world around them
HIGHLIGHT: MLK Week of Service Jan 11-16, 2021
Hosted by the NFSJ (check their website for more details)
Via the Internet in Your Own Space
Network interns, as well as WHS Connect and Commit students and WHS Service Learning, are hard at work planning our MLK Week of Service 2021. Save the dates and get ready for the following virtual activities:
a speaker's panel
educational programs for youth
arts activities and
service projects for multiple ages
PARENT RESOURCES:
Book Rec: Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America - Jennifer Harvey *
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:
Pre-order More than Peach Palette Packets
Bellen Woodard is the 9 year-old President of Bellen’s More than Peach™ Project which promotes inclusion and diversity with a goal to get multicultural crayons into the hands of every student #morethanpeach #morethancrayons
These puzzles come in all sizes, for whatever stage your child is at, and have wide representation and diversity. There are many beautiful puzzles to choose from!
We encourage you to buy books from your local bookshop or black-owned bookstores:
Book Ends - Winchester, MA
Frugal Bookstore - Boston’s only black-owned bookstore
HIGHLIGHT: “All Are Welcome” by Alexandra Penfold & Suzanne Kauffman - (video linked)
Guided Reading Questions:
What/who do you notice on the cover?
What does it mean that all are welcome?
How do you make someone feel welcome with words/actions?
What might make someone feel unwelcome?
Sometimes people don't feel welcome because of what they think/look like/etc.
(It's a good segue into bigger conversations about race, gender, identity, etc.)
PARENT RESOURCES:
NPR Podcast: Talking Race with Young Children (20-minutes)
The Conscious Kid -they have a GREAT Instagram account!
I’m a Good Person, Isn’t That Enough? - with Winchester native Debby Irving - Author of “Waking up White”
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:
Multicultural Dolls - black-owned and operated business
Board Books:
Anti-Racist Baby (Ibram X. Kendi)
Woke Baby (Mahagany L. Browne)
We encourage you to buy books from your local bookshop or black-owned bookstores:
Book Ends - Winchester, MA
Frugal Bookstore - Boston’s only black-owned bookstore