Monthly Newsletter
November 2024
Hello Project ABC Families,
As we welcome the month of November, we’re excited to celebrate Kindness Week together! This is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the importance of kindness in our community and to inspire one another through acts of compassion and generosity.
We encourage you to join us in this celebration. Whether it’s a simple gesture at home or a community project, every act counts. Be sure to check this newsletter for details on how you can celebrate Kindness Week with Project ABC and Beyond.
Remember, we’re here for you. If you need support or would like to discuss a family needs assessment or resource referrals, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your well-being is our priority, and we’re committed to helping you in any way we can.
As a reminder, caregiver café sessions will be hosted before or after select play, learn and grow groups. This is a chance for caregivers to get valuable insights into their child's development through resource referrals and the opportunity to take the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). The ASQ can be accessible to families through our CFCE at any time online or in person.
Wishing you a joyful November filled with kindness! See you at playgroup!
Ashleigh O'Halloran
Project ABC Director
CFCE Coordinator
MetroWest YMCA
508-665-1266
Program Updates
Welcome Miss Liz!
We are so lucky to have you Liz!
Free Yard Signs!
Ask us about our yard signs! If you love our programs, help us connect more families to resources, education, and playgroups by putting up a Project ABC yard sign! You can ask for signs at playgroup or email aohalloran@metrowestymca.org.
Want to learn more about how you can support Project ABC? Visit Projectabc.org
Chinese Storytime
Our partners at the Ashland Library's Children's Department are hosting a fabulous new storytime! A fantastic mom, community advocate, and long time friend and participant of our CFCE program is going to be facilitating this new program. They will host the Chinese Storytime on the second Tuesday of each month: Nov 12, Dec 10, Jan 14, Feb 11, Mar 11 and April 8. We wanted to share this fabulous opportunity with you and your family!
Don't forget to register through the Ashland Public Library's website or use this link.
November 9th through November 18th
Celebrate Kindness Week
A message from SPARK Kindness:
We invite community members, organizations, and businesses to all come together to celebrate our 7th Annual Kindness Week during November 9-18, 2024!
KINDNESS WEEK is a community celebration to shine the spotlight on the good that happens every day and inspire people to spread kindness through their own actions and connect with others to help us live and fulfill SPARK's mission of creating a community where no one feels alone, bullied, unsupported or unconnected.
Learn more at https://www.sparkkindness.org/events/kindness-week-2024
Join us for a week long kindness Chalk-a-thon
Come together with us at one of our two chalk-a-thon events in Natick or Hopkinton, use your driveway or visit your favorite park to leave your kindness mark, or ask your community to join you in your own chalk-a-thon event! Send us or tag us in your chalk-a-thon pictures so we can spread your kindness online!
Natick: November 8th
Conner Heffler Park 10am-11am
Hopkinton November 13th
EMC Park 3:30pm to 5pm
Questions? Email aohalloran@metrowestymca.org.
Registration is recommended for all of our playgroups. Hopkinton Public Library requires registration through their website.
Outdoor Playgroups are weather dependent.
All playgroup cancellations will be posted on social media and posted on our website.
Follow us on Social Media
Website: Projectabc.org
Facebook: Project ABC
Instagram: ProjectABC_ymca
Family Resources
ASQ/Developmental Screening
Are you curious about your child's development? Are you worried your child may be behind in certain areas due to COVID-19, like speech, physical ability, social skills, and/or problem-solving skills?
The Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) is designed to help families gain a snapshot of their child's development and address any potential areas of growth. Click the icon to learn more!
Local Diaper Distribution Pilot Program
We would like to share a MASSCAP resource with you. Below you will find a link for income eligible families to access free monthly diapers. Once a family is enrolled in the diaper program pilot, they can also receive help with LIHEAP, weatherization, Early Head Start and Head Start, employment, WIC, and many other services.
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
The Department of Early Education and Care's mission is to support the healthy growth and development of all children by providing high quality programs and resources for families and communities.
Project ABC is an EEC grant funded program serving families in Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, and Natick
Learn More about the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant