Category Archives: Other

8th Annual Ride For Food needs our support

Grab your gear and join the 8th Annual Ride For Food in Dedham! The Centre Street Food Pantry is recruiting cyclists, fundraisers and volunteers to help meet their goal to raise over $25,000.00. Don’t miss out on this fun and rewarding event. Join the team today to help provide supplemental food to our neighbors who need it most.

Contact Katherine Ballas at k.******@****************ry.org or visit https://ride.threesquaresne.org/centrestfoodpantry2019 for more information.

Newton Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Program Seeking Volunteers

Do you have two-three mornings a month free during the school year? Are you looking for a meaningful and fun way to make a difference in children’s lives? If so, then join this dynamic team of trained CAP volunteers who are committed to using guided discussions and role plays to teach elementary age children in the Newton Schools that they have the right to be Safe, Strong and Free with their friends and peers, when they meet adult strangers, and with those who are trusted to take care of them.

The program is now accepting applications for the 2019-2020 school year. The next training begins on October 20th. For more information or an application, please visit the website at http://familyaccess.org/family-support/child-assault-prevention/ or contact Gail Sommer at 617-969-5906, ext. 143 or gs*****@**********ss.org.

Newton’s One-to-One Program

Newton’s One-to-One Program, our very own “Big Brother/Sister Program” has been matching wonderful high schoolers with children in grades one through five for over 30 years.

If you think your elementary aged child would benefit from a mentor in their life and you can you commit 2.5 hours each week to have your child meet with a high school mentor from November to May – Please contact Rebecca Young, Program Coordinator, at re***********@***********ma.us or 617-315-8733.

Next Meeting of GN School Connections September 12th

Green Newton School Connections provides a forum for parents, students and educators to promote sustainability in the classroom and beyond. All are welcome to participate to share experiences and ideas that support the implementation of green initiatives in our schools.

Recent initiatives:

  • GN School Connections petitioned the Newton School Committee about the need to improve recycling in Newton’s schools, and the committee adopted a new school recycling policy in the spring of 2019.
  • Advocacy that was instrumental in getting the city to consider environmental practices and waste reduction in schools with the selection of a new food service vendor, Whitsons. Representatives will participate in discussions with the City to improve food quality and sustainability in school cafeterias.
  • GN School Connections worked with city leaders to submit a state grant application to support the expansion of the school recycling program and is also advocating for the city’s approval to set up textile recycling collection containers outside of each school building.

For more information contact sc***************@*********on.org or visit the GN School Connections website.

Next meetings are September 12th and October 10th, 3:45 – 5:00 pm in the third-floor arc area of the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street

Planning for Arts & Culture in Newton – Please take a brief survey

The City of Newton is currently undertaking a 7-month planning process to create a Comprehensive Arts & Cultural Plan for the City.

The plan, entitled Create Newton, will identify all of Newton’s arts and cultural assets – from our buildings and non-profits, to the events and festivals we host, to the local traditions and initiatives in our villages and neighborhoods. We will explore how arts and cultural goals and interests are aligned with our businesses, recreational opportunities, and commercial districts, and identify goals, set out recommendations, and seek opportunities to collaborate and expand our pool of funding.

Input from parents, and children 12 years and older, who enjoy Newton’s arts and cultural events is greatly valued.

If you haven’t already, please take 10 minutes to complete this anonymous survey to assist in the planning process: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QWJW2QH

Please note that the survey is best taken on your computer and not on your smart phone or smaller device. Thank you for your time and input!

Newton’s Community Design for Arts & Culture Committee

Waban Library Center 10th Anniversary Celebration

The Waban Library Center is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. Please join everyone at the WLC to celebrate this exciting milestone! This is a free community event open to everyone of all ages. Join for refreshments, games, entertainment, raffle, and a visit from Mayor Ruthanne Fuller!  For more information, please visit www.wabanlibrarycenter.org.

September 21st, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
1608 Beacon Street,  Waban

2019 Ride For Centre Street Food Pantry!

Grab your gear and join the 8th Annual Ride For Food in Dedham!

The Centre Street Food Pantry is recruiting cyclists, fundraisers and volunteers to help  meet their goal to raise over $25,000.00. Don’t miss out on this fun and rewarding event. Join the team today to help provide supplemental food to our neighbors who need it most.

Contact Katherine Ballas at k.******@****************ry.org or visit https://ride.threesquaresne.org/centrestfoodpantry2019 for more information.

What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA

Welcoming Wednesdays:  Try the Y for free every Wednesday in September! Present a valid ID at the welcome desk and your guest fee will be waived.

Expanded Kids’ Corner Hours – Sunday Hours begin September 8th: The West Suburban YMCA has added 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Sunday hours to its Kids’ Corner schedule, taking effect September 8. Kids’ Corner offers up to 90 minutes of child care to members and guests who are using the Y facilities to workout. The service is free for Y family members and $5 for individual Y members or guests.

West Suburban Singers – Adult Community Choir: The Creative Arts Department at the West Suburban YMCA invites adults of all ages to join their new community choir. The group consists of individuals ranging in age from mid-20s to mid-60s. Weekly rehearsals will be held on Mondays,  7:00 – 8:30 pm, and cost is $65 for Y members, $95 for community. For more information, contact Sunny McGovern at su****@****ca.org.

Family Fun Night – September 10th,  6:00-7:00 pm: Bring the whole family to the Y for some family fun time. The Y sets up games, crafts, and a bouncy house for all to enjoy. Light snacks are provided. Free and open to all. Family Fun Nights occur on the second Tuesday of every month. Continue reading

Paid part-time opportunity to work at the Centre Street Food Pantry

Vibrant and busy Centre Street Food Pantry is seeking a new Pantry Manager! Be part of a non-profit that directly supports hundreds of families in Newton and surrounding communities in a kind and meaningful way. The best candidate will be flexible, great with people, deal well with details and handle lots of moving parts. This is a paid part-time position with an immediate start date. If you are interested, please send your resume to in**@****************ry.org

New Newton FORJ Book Group

Check out the new FORJ Book Group,  meeting monthly at various locations throughout Newton. Given that the books could be shared with older students, this group is designed for Newton Middle and High School parents/guardians, faculty and staff, in mind, however it is open to anyone who is looking to increase their awareness and connection regarding these topics.

For teachers this could be a great opportunity to think through how to introduce a particular book and get feedback in a supportive space.  This will be an excellent opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and meet some new people, please consider joining! Please contact Jen Dirga with any questions je***********@***il.com.

Click here to learn more about  FORJ.