East Boston Family
Engagement Network

A group of parent members in front of a large van filled with donations

The East Boston Family Engagement Network (EBFEN) is a collaborative initiative to support the diverse children and families of East Boston, with a particular focus on leadership development and reaching out to families who are not yet connected to services. Together with our partners, we work to connect parents with leadership opportunities, which strengthen both our families and our community.

To sign up for the EBFEN newsletter, join the network, or learn more, please contact Gloria Devine, Director of EBFEN.

If you are a parent or caregiver living in East Boston and are interested in scheduling a Welcome Baby visit or Ages and Stages Questionnaire, or sign-up for a play group and/or coaching, fill out this Sign-Up Form! Parent Partners are ready to meet with families and share community resources. Click here to sign up or sign a family up.

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Collaborative Effort

We are the largest collaboration advocating for children and families in East Boston. Some of our new partners this year include UCB (Union Capital Boston), MSPCC (Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children). This grant focus continues to reach out especially to families who are not connected to services already.

 
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Multicultural

We believe diversity in East Boston makes our community a better place to live — and so do our Parent Partners. We currently have 11 Parent Partners and are proud to have the largest and most diverse group of Parent Partners in the city. Our Parent Partners bring perspectives from around the world to East Boston, with backgrounds in Mexico, Brazil, Columbia, Peru, El Salvador, Morocco, Malaysia, Vietnam, France and Algeria. They are a wonderful group who work collaboratively and have built strong relationships with each other. They embrace each other’s cultures and beliefs, and love to share and learn from each other

 
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Partner Supported

Together with our partners, we work to connect parents of East Boston with leadership opportunities, which strengthen both our families and our community. Our strong partnerships with The Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts, Every Child Shines, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, WIC, East Boston Head Start, EBYMCA, Little Folks, Nurtury, and BPS are crucial to the success in fostering strong community leaders.

 
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Contact Us

Interested in learning more about the Family Engagement Network? Contact us through the form or reach out to Gloria Devine, Director of EBFEN.

Welcome Baby Visits

Welcome Baby Visits provide a celebratory home visit to families with newborns up to 9 months old in East Boston. Welcome Baby visitors arrive with a beautiful gift bag filled with baby essentials such as diapers and wipes, onesies, socks, bibs, a beautiful hand crocheted blanket (made by East Boston senior residents) and books for baby, siblings, and parents. Welcome Baby visitors share information about activities, resources, and services in the community. This one-time visit, as part of the Every Child Shines program, is also an opportunity for the East Boston Family Engagement Network staff to promote many more resources available to new parents.

 

Run by our Parent Partners

Our Parent Partners are the leaders who make the East Boston Family Engagement Network stronger every day. They produce and distribute a monthly calendar of family friendly activities in East Boston, and they facilitate Welcome Baby Visits, Ages & Stages Screenings for children up to 5 years old, Baby Play Group, as well as Multicultural Days, Book Swaps and assist in the yearly Kindergarten Parade! Our Parent Partners are volunteers, who receive a small stipend for their participation.

See the Accomplishments

Connect with us on Facebook for frequent updates on community events and resources

Learn more about our other community programs