Check out this list of favorite books for Black History Month (and anytime!) from Reading Rockets. Some describe different histories while others show the joys and challenges that are shared by all children as they learn and grow.
Massachusetts Parenting Support Groups and Playgroups by Region
Author:
one tough job
Berkshires
In-person parent support groups:
Pittsfield (temporarily virtual) – Mondays 4:30-5:30 pm. Contact Melia H. at 413-464-5280.
Great Barrington (temporarily virtual) – Wednesdays 11:00am-12:00pm
18 Degrees - Family Services for Western Massachusetts
See their event calendar for family support groups in English and Spanish happening weekly.
Springfield
In-person parent support groups:
Springfield – 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month 10:00am-11:00am. Contact Lisa R. at 413-733-3316.
Outdoor playground meet-ups this summer:
Mondays 10:30-11:30am from July 12-August 16 at Glickman School Playground
Wednesdays 10:30-11:30am from July 14-August 18 at Ells School Back Play Area
Registration requested by called 787-6959 x 8.
Pathways for Parents
Series of programming preparing for kids entering Kindergarten and other events. Check their Facebook page to stay updated on programming.
Central
In-person parent support groups:
Worcester – Tuesdays 6:00-7:00pm. Call 617-926-5008 x 108 to register.
PPAL Support Groups
Hispanic Family Support Social – 1st and 3rd Tuesdays every month from 10:00am-12:00pm
-Email Irelsa and Joel at Parentsupportgroup@ppal.net with questions
Winchendon Family Network Social – 1st and 3rd Tuesdays every month from 3:30-5:00pm
-Email Kathy and Ann at Parentsupportgroup@ppal.net with questions
Family Network Social – 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 6:00-8:00pm
-Email Kathy and Ann at Parentsupportgroup@ppal.net with questions
Clinton Community Partnerships CFCE
Virtual Parent Support Group every Thursday at 6:30 pm, contact Ms. Pat at hammondp@clinton.k12.ma.us for details. Visit their Facebook group for other updates.
Fitchburg Family Resource Center
All programs are still remote. See their website for the weekly programs happening each month. Programs are offered in English and Spanish.
Milford Family and Community Network CFCE
Outdoor summer playgroups Tuesdays and Wednesday 9:30-10:30am from July 13-August 11 at the Hopedale Playcenter. See here for more details and the registration link.
MOC CFCE
Virtual and in-person playgroups are being offered this summer. Check their Facebook page for monthly calendars and updates on these events.
Worcester Family Partnership
Virtual Playgroups
-Mondays at 10:00am
-Mondays at 11:00am in Spanish
-Tuesdays at 10:00am
-Wednesdays at 10:00am, 11:00am (baby group), and 7:00pm
-Thursdays at 10:00am
-Fridays at 10:00am
-Alternating Saturdays at 10:00am
Find the Zoom link to the playgroups on their Facebook page and call Beth at 508-799-3136 or email vietze@worcesterschools.net for more information.
YMCA Family & Community Partnership
Check their Facebook page for weekly programs. There will be some in-person programming.
Northeast
Lynn Family Forward Resource Center
See their Facebook page for monthly newsletters and other events.
In-person parent support groups:
Gloucester (childcare and transportation available) – Tuesdays 5:15-6:30pm. Contact Tanya at 978-281-2400 x 5382.
Lawrence (in Spanish) – Thursdays 10:00am-12:00pm [contact Richie at 617-926-5008 x 108] and Wednesday 10:00am-12:00pm [contact Grace at 978-332-8250]
CFCE of the North Shore
Check their Facebook page for information about parenting workshops and events for kids of all ages. There are both some outside, in-person and virtual events.
Early Childhood Partners CFCE
Play is essential to child development and well-being. Join them for “Summer of Play” to help your child recover from the stress of COVID-19. Learn more about the “Summer of Play” at their website and follow them on Facebook for other information.
Family and Community Connection (Haverhill)
Outdoor event opportunities posted regularly on their Facebook page.
Family and Community Resource Center of Lawrence
Please email licid@fsmv.org or call (978)975-8800 for more information.
The Family Partnership Center (Ayer)
Music and Movement in-person playgroups
-Tuesdays at 9:30am
-Thursdays at 10:00am
Check their Facebook page for updated information.
Metrowest
First Connections CFCE Concord
Virtual live circle time every Wednesday at 10:00 am on Facebook.
In-person, outdoor playgroups all summer. See the summer newsletter for more details.
Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham
See the schedules of events and register here for in-person and virtual offerings.
Boston metro
JF&CS New Parent Support Groups:
Arlington New Parents Group: Fridays, 10:00-11:30am
Brookline New Parents Group: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30am
Cambridge New Parents Group: Thursdays, 10:00-11:30am
Dorchester New Parents Support Group: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30am
Jamaica Plain New Parents Group: Wednesdays, 1:30-3:00pm
Medford New Parents Group: Tuesdays, 12:30-2:00pm
Melrose New Parents Group: Wednesdays, 10:30am-12:00pm
Watertown New Parents Group: Fridays, 9:15-10:45am
Nuestro grupo en español se reúne los martes. Contact Cynthia Barzelatto: cbarzelatto@jfcsboston.org
For questions about JF&CS's New Parent Support Groups, contact Diane Gardner, Support Group Coordinator, at dgardner@jfcsboston.org.
North Suburban Child & Family Resource Network
Virtual parent groups and playgroups as well as upcoming in-person events. Visit their website here to see all the offerings.
Eliot Family Resource Center
Virtual playgroups every Tuesday at 11:00 am, call (781) 581-4750 or see Facebook page to register.
In-person parent support groups:
Roxbury - Wednesdays 6:00-7:00 pm. Contact Chris at 617-299-0614.
Dedham (temporarily virtual) – Mondays 6:30-8:00pm. Contact Richie at 617-926-5008 x 108.
Newton (childcare available) – Wednesdays 7:00-8:00pm. Contact Bei at 617-396-7565.
Quincy – Thursday 6:30-8:00pm. Contact Nancy at 781-331-3125.
Waltham – Tuesdays at 7:15-9:00pm. Contact Marcia at 617-926-5008 x 108.
Somerville Family Learning Collaborative
Outdoor Playgroup Tuesdays 10:00-11:30am – register here
New Parents Support Group Fridays 1:00-2:30pm via Zoom – register by emailing sfn@k12.somerville.ma.us
In This Together Support Group Thursdays 4:00-5:30pm via Zoom – register by emailing sfn@k12.somerville.ma.us
Check their Facebook page for more details.
Southeast
Westwood Early Childhood
Summer Outdoor Playgroups for children ages 2-5 every Tuesday at 9:00am. Email Janet Lucey for more information, jlucey@westwood.k12.ma.us.
In-person parent support groups:
Fall River – 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month 6:00-7:00pm. Contact Jaime at 617-926-5008 x 108.
Brockton CFCE
Check their Facebook page for upcoming events. Contact Joni at brocktonfce@bpsma.org or call (508) 580-7491 for more information.
Community Partnerships for Children and Families: Newton, Wayland, Weston
In-person and Zoom programming. Use this link to register for the in-person programs and email ramshawn@newton.k12.ma.us to reserve a spot on the Zoom programs.
Strollerwalks for ages 0-2 every other Monday at 10:00am (locations in Metrowest)
Nature and Nurture Playgroup for ages 2-6 every other Monday at 10:00am (Weston Public Library outdoor area)
Inclusive playgroup for ages 1-5 every Wednesday at 10:00am (Hyde Playground in Newton)
Infant group for ages 0-1 every Thursday at 9:30am (Zoom)
Inclusive playgroup for ages 1-5 every Thursday at 10:30am (Zoom)
Bilingual English/Spanish playgroup for ages 0-6 every Friday at 11:00am (Zoom)
Plymouth Family Network
Offering outdoor programming. See the calendar to stay updated on upcoming events.
Quincy Family Resource Center
Check their Facebook group to see monthly calendars of groups and events.
Self Help Inc. CFCE
Offering virtual and outside programming. Check the calendar here and stay up to date through their Facebook page.
Triumph, Inc. Community Programming
Check their Facebook page for upcoming events and registration information.
Cape and the islands
Cape Cod Healthcare Childbirth & Parenting Education and Support
Mom’s Café – Virtual class every Friday to discuss topics related to being a new mom.
Baby Breakfast Club – Virtual class every Monday for breastfeeding mothers.
Heal Like A Mother: A Postpartum Depression Support Group – Becoming a mother presents with a lot of challenges and for many woman this time can be very overwhelming and intense. Whether you are a new mom, or a mom well on her journey, we welcome you to join us in a cozy, calming, open, and loving environment. Tuesdays from 4:00-5:00PM. Visit website or text Erin 508-317-0467for more information and access to Facebook group and class. Will resume in-person classes in Yarmouth Port when possible.
Cape Cod Family Resource Center
Visit their Facebook page to see the monthly event calendars. Call 508-815-5100 to get more details or register for any of our activities.
In-person parent support group:
Nantucket – Tuesdays 6:30-8:00pm. Contact Suzanne F. at 508-332-9823.
PPAL Support Groups
Friday Family Support Group for Lynn Families – Fridays 6:30pm
-Email Dalene at ptahsw@verizon.net with questions
Coalition for Children
See their website for information on drop-in outdoor and virtual programs. These include storywalks, virtual playgroups, and field-trip Fridays.
Virtual from anywhere
Parents of Multiples Support Group for parents with multiples under one year old, Thursdays 10:00-11:30am
Parents of Toddlers Support Group for parents with toddlers, ages 1-3, on Wednesdays from 1:00-2:30pm
Fragile Beginnings Zoom Support Group, for parents whose babies have spent time in the NICU, Tuesdays from noon-1:00pm
Parenting Group for Parents Working with DCF – Thursdays 12:00-1:00pm and Fridays 7:00-8:00pm.
Lunch and Learn Online Parenting Group – Fridays 12:00-1:00pm
Single Parents Support Group – Wednesdays 7:00-8:00pm
Meetup Monday Parenting Connection – Mondays 6:00-7:00pm
Informal Social Parenting Group – Mondays 6:30-7:30pm
PPAL Support Groups
Getting Connected Parents of Transition Age Youth – 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 6:00-7:30pm
-Email Dawn at dchristie@ppal.net with questions
State Approved Parent Education Programs
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Support groups on Zoom 1st and 3rd Monday evenings every month from 7:30-8:30pm and 1st and 3rd Tuesday mornings every month from 9:30-10:30am. See the newsletter here with the Summer schedule and registration link.
