Massachusetts Network of Foster Care Alumni
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Sesame Workshop created Sesame Street and Autism: See Amazing in All Children, a nationwide initiative aimed at communities with children ages 2 to 5. Developed with input from parents, people who serve the autism community, and people with autism, See Amazing in All Children offers families ways to overcome common challenges and simplify everyday activities. At the same time, the project fosters an affirming narrative around autism for all families and kids.
The Sharewood Project offers free, unscheduled health care to the medically underserved populations of the greater Boston area. Services include clinical, case management, laboratory, and other types of health care. All services are open to everyone, including the uninsured, and no appointment is necessary.
http://medicine.tufts.edu/Global-and-Local-Engagement/Sharewood
We are a non-profit, grassroots organization offering Reggio Emilia inspired programs for children and youth ages 2.9-15. Families and children are welcomed regardless of background and cultural differences.Programs include: day programs from Preschool to Kindergarten, (ages 2.9-5), before & after school programs (grades K-8) and summer programs (ages 3.9-15). These programs are designed to empower youth through creation and creativity.
Shortstop is a community-based program that provides housing and transitional care to homeless young adults, ages 18- 22, from the Somerville, Cambridge and Greater Boston areas. ShortStop offers a variety of services including educational and vocational support services for young people transitioning to adulthood. Shortstop assists each young adult to make a successful transitional to stable permanent living situations by promoting independent living skills in a supportive environment.
http://www.waysideyouth.org/shortstop-transitional-housing-co-ed/
Silver Lining Mentoring is the only mentoring organization in Massachusetts that exclusively serves youth in foster care. We serve youth ages 7 and older through Our Mentors program includes a specialized mentoring initiative for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth in care, which seeks to empower LGBTQ youth to develop a positive sense of self and belonging through providing committed, community-based mentoring relationships with LGBTQ identified adult mentors.
Our primary goal is to establish and build relationships with runaway, homeless & street-dependent youth ages 13-25. Life skills focused on are:
1. Anger Management Sessions
2. Increased tutoring services for GED, job hunting/resume building
3. Financial Management
4. Improving Communications
5. Study Skills
6. Goal Setting
7. Behavior Management Class
8. Social Events for homeless and at-risk youth/families
Provides transitional housing and outreach services for up to 8 homeless, unaccompanied, young adults ages 18 – 24 , in Indian Orchard who meet the HUD definition of homelessness. The goal is to provide them with a safe place to live and to help them develop life skills to live independently.
TeenHousing has been developing and managing affordable housing for young adults, particularly those who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness. 15 units of very affordable housing in Greenfield MA have been available since 2006.
The ALC offers basic literacy courses in reading and mathematics to a 9th grade level, GED preparation, English for Speakers of Other Languages instruction, and Citizenship preparation classes to Brockton area adults. The ALC also offers Family Literacy classes which are geared toward ESOL students who have children in the Brockton Public Schools. The center also provides computer courses and counseling services.
Guide written by the Massachusetts Court Improvement Program in partnership with other co-authors. This guide is for foster youth in Massachusetts age 14 up to the age of 22 aimed at helping transition age youth make the most of DCF Custody. The fourth edition of paper copies are now available and MassNFCA is a co-author. Contact manetworkfostercarealumni@gmail.com if you'd like paper copies of the Answer Book for distribution to foster youth in MA. The online version of The Answer Book is accessible through the Mass Court Improvement Program website link below.
https://www.mass.gov/doc/youth-resource-the-answer-book-2018/download
Programs for kids, teens, and adults, such as science, dance, theater, and yoga.
There is a growing effort to bring history back into focus and to correct many misconceptions about the relationship of Native People, such as us, and the founding of the United States. Educational and cultural programs: Library & Information Resources, Language & Music Program, Traditional Drum & Singing. The Social services are Information & Referrals with NEDOBAK Network Help Line Legal Clinic. Religious services are also important to our people. Ceremonies & Marriage with a Spiritual Counseling is provided to all members.
As a foster parent, take comfort in knowing that your child's health and well-being are cared for by the FaCES (Foster Children Evaluation Services) Clinic. The clinic opened in 2003 to provide timely, high-quality health care evaluations for children in foster care in the Worcester area. Thanks to the collaboration between our Division of General Pediatrics and the Worcester's Department of Children and Families, foster health care is more coordinated. Children ages birth to 18 years old. All children enter care MUST have a health care screening within 7 calendar days and have a complete medical exam within 30 calendar days of placement.
Provides information, support, and assistance to parents of children with disabilities, their professional partners, and their communities.
The Federation for Children with Special Needs is committed to encouraging full participation in community life by all people, especially those with disabilities.
Call them to obtain a free copy of A Parent's Guide to Special Education
The mission of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is to feed our neighbors in need and lead the community to end hunger. In Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire Counties in Western Massachusetts, approximately one in every eight people suffers from chronic food shortages or needs emergency food assistance. In some areas, rates of hunger and food insecurity are more than six times higher than the Massachusetts statewide average.
The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. We are committed to increasing our food distribution to provide at least ONE MEAL A DAY to every person in need in eastern Massachusetts.
The Haven Project is a Drop-in Center that is open Tues - Thurs from 4-7PM. During these hours we provide a hot meal, snacks, basic clothing and toiletries. We coach unaccompanied youth, providing support towards securing stable housing, job placement and medical referrals.
As the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, the Human Rights Campaign represents a force of more than 1.5 million members and supporters nationwide — all committed to making HRC’s vision a reality. HRC envisions a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
The Coalition's early intervention and direct service work. These works include services such as;
(NCSET) coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and gives information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures.