Category Archives: Events

PANS/PANDAS Webinar: When Strep/Other Infections Cause OCD, Anxiety and More

Dearborn Academy Speaks is hosting a panel discussion on the little-known but disabling PANS/PANDAS syndromes. The diseases can occur when strep, other infection or environmental factors cause a misdirected immune response resulting in inflammation on a child’s brain. This response, in turn, can trigger the sudden onset of ADHD, OCD, disabling anxiety, a decline in math and reading skills, and more.

While researchers are only beginning to study and understand the PANS/PANDAS syndromes, this panel of experts will provide the latest information on causes and treatment.

Register https://bit.ly/DA-PANS-PANDAS2021

May 17th 6:30 – 8:00 pm, via Zoom

Summer Camp Fundraiser!

Help Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors send 15 – 20 students to camp this summer.

While camp scholarships do pay up to 80% of the cost, too many families can not afford the 20% – 30% payment required of them. Through this fundraiser NNHN has already raised $4,500 to help Newton school children continue to socialize, play and learn with their friends this summer, however as the word has spread, they have learned about more needs.

There is an amazing program – a collaboration between METCO and Newton Community Ed – to fund and sponsor 75 students to attend camp this summer. This program is $6,700 short of their need to cover the transportation and two-week camp costs for 6 more NPS students and NNHN hopes to help.

For every additional $1,100 raised, they can cover the cost for one more camper. For more information and donation links please visit the NCP sponsor link. And, for more about the METCO/NCE program click here Camp.

Here is an example of the campers they want to support (names changed for privacy).
“Alex and Dylan are twins, to a single mom, going into the first grade next year. Zoom Kindergarten was tricky for them, but they are back in school full time and loving their Continue reading →

Home Goods Donations Needed

Appointments available for easy drop off of your unwanted like-new or new household items Mondays 1:00 -2:00 pm and Wednesdays 2:00 – 3:00 pm in Newton Centre. They particularly need Queen and King bedding, small appliances such as toasters and blenders, dishes, eating and cooking utensils, towels, shower curtains and cookware.

Welcome Home strives to provide families experiencing hardship with basic household items they need to live with dignity and are a local nonprofit organization that collects and redistributes like-new household items to dozens of people in need each month with no fees, no forms and no requirements. Any items that they cannot use are repurposed or recycled appropriately, thus benefiting the environment. To schedule a drop off, request items or learn more, visit http://www.welcomehomemass.org or email  welcomehomemass@gmail.com.

Outdoor Family Bootcamp – Small Group Training

Get the whole family moving while spending time together OUTDOORS at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC!

Enjoy fun and adaptable activities including partner exercises, family fitness games, circuit stations, & more. Activities will be 100% child-friendly, but also challenging enough for grown-up participants. Physical distancing requirements will be followed and all levels welcome. For ages 7+ yrs.

Register at bostonjcc.org/smallgrouptraining. Cost is $225.00 (flat rate for family) or $199.00 for members.  For more information, contact fitness@jccgb.org.

Saturdays, May 1st – June 5th,  10:00 – 10:45 am
Leventhal-Sidman JCC
333 Nahanton Street, Newton

Earth Day Event

The Newton Library presents Save the Planet and Your Health with a Plant-based Diet. Learn about the environmental impacts of the meat, dairy, egg, and fishing industries at a special Earth Day Green Newton series program with Sara Sezun, Chair of the Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter Plant-based Planet Team. Find out how eating a plant-based diet can improve your health and help remedy environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, habitat loss for endangered species, and zoonotic disease transfer.

Register here to Save the Planet.

April 22nd,  7:00 pm via zoom

Learn to create Home Harmony in this three-week course

Join certified Professional Organizer (CPO®) Erika Salloux of Living Harmony to learn how to Create Home Harmony. Registration required. Sign up here Harmony

In this three-part series you can learn proven strategies with steps for getting and staying organized. Bring an organizing project you’ve been avoiding and get it done by the end of the series. Please note, when you sign up, you are signing up for all three sessions.

April 20th, 27th and May 4th, 7:00 – 8:00 pm

Sponsored by ShelfGenie and co-sponsored by the City of Newton Department of Senior Services.

Mental Health: Continuing the Conversation

Join Mayor Fuller, Samaritans Inc., and Families for Depression Awareness to learn more about suicide prevention, recognizing depression and bipolar disorder, and the important work being done to reduce the stigma of mental health issues in our community.

Register online at www.newtonma.gov/mentalhealth

May 6th, 6:30 pm

Newton Bike Rodeo for Grades K-6

Newton is having its first bike rodeo where MA Safe Routes to Schools instructors will teach and review bike riding skills. Volunteers will also help teach fun stations including knowing signs and hand signals, how to care for your bike, and more.

Registration opens on April 15th and the program will fill quickly as space is limited. See more here:
https://newtonma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30165

This program is geared towards students in Kindergarten through 6th grade at Newton Schools that are comfortable riding a bike independently. Students will be divided into smaller groups to practice and learn different skills and will receive a certificate at the end of the program.

In order to participate:

  • Each child needs to bring their own bike. Please make sure the bike fits the child and is in usable condition (chain is intact, brakes work, tires are not flat, etc).
  • Each child needs to bring and wear a properly fitting helmet.
  • Each child must have a parent or adult present for the duration of the program.
  • Parents/adults will have an opportunity to meet with volunteers from Bike Newton and Newton Safe Routes to Schools to learn more about biking opportunities in Newton.
  • Social distancing and face coverings are required throughout the event.

April 25th, with sessions at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm (May 2nd will be a makeup date in case of postponement due to bad weather).

Join Newton Food Pantry’s Walk for Hunger Team!

The Newton Food Pantry is proud to be participating in Project Bread’s Virtual Walk for Hunger. Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger, founded in 1969, is the oldest and largest community fundraiser for hunger solutions in Massachusetts. The team will be participating in The Commonwealth, a fundraising share program that allows the Newton Food Pantry to retain 60% of the funds raised by their team, with the remaining 40% of funds raised applied to statewide hunger solutions.⁠ A real win-win!

Teens (ages 13+) and adults are welcome to join. The traditional Walk for Hunger has been a 20-mile group walk into Boston. Because of the virtual nature of this year’s event,  team members have the opportunity get creative. Consider walking 20 miles over 20 days or replace the walk with family bike rides or hikes and try to hit the 20-mile mark over a few weekends this spring. No matter how you plan to “walk”, be sure to reach out to family, friends and neighbors so that they can support you in your fundraising effort. Some simple fundraising ideas: host a loose change drive on your block, break your Starbucks habit for a month and donate your saved funds, or have friends and relatives sponsor your bike ride/walk/hike miles. Every donation makes a real difference! ⁠

⁠The money raised by “Walk” participants, like the Newton Food Pantry, will provide grants to hundreds of community-based programs that rely on support—food pantries, hot meal programs, summer meals for kids, farm and garden initiatives, health center programs and more.⁠

⁠Please visit the NFP’s Walk for Hunger team page to join the team, make a donation, or for more information about how the Newton Food Pantry supports our community.