Families First

❤️💛💚💙 Unidos, somos más.

From September 15 through October 15, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring the histories, cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.

At Families First, 60% of the parents we partner with are Latino or Hispanic. We see every day how family, language, traditions, and community help children feel connected, supported, and proud of where they come from.

Looking for ways to celebrate Hispanic heritage as a family? Try one of these:

📚 Read a story by a Latino or Hispanic author
🎶 Listen to music, dance, and sing together
🍳 Cook a family favorite and share its story
💬 Ask a loved one to share a childhood memory or family tradition
🎨 Create together with bilingual, family-friendly activities

Celebrating heritage is also about creating opportunities for children to learn, connect, and see their families and communities reflected in the world around them. ❤️

💪 Parents Have the Power! 💪

Parenting can come with big questions, challenges, and lots of learning. You don’t have to do it alone! Join Families First’s Power of Parenting Program to build your skills, grow your support network, and connect with other parents.

✨ What you’ll gain:
🧠 Knowledge – Learn about your child’s growth and development
📝 Practical Skills – Discover strategies you can use every day
🤝 Support – Connect with other parents and community resources

👶 For parents and caregivers of children Birth to 8
🖥️ Virtual or in-person options
🌎 English, Spanish, and more!

Your experience as a parent matters. Your voice matters. You have the power to make a difference for your family and your community. 💙

👉 Ready to get started? Sign up through our form today:
families-first.org/find-a-program

💛 What happens when parents come together to support one another?

This spring, Families First partnered with the Madrina Project to bring Power of Parenting to 16 parents caring for newborns, including two fathers who joined alongside their partners. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

What started as a parenting program became something more: a community of connection, encouragement, and support. 🤝✨

From conversations about self-care and child development to parents cheering each other on, the impact went far beyond the final session. 💛

📖 Read the full story to see how this community collaboration helped parents feel supported and connected.https://www.families-first.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/FY27-Summer-Western-MA-Newsletter.pdf

What does fatherhood look like today? 👨‍👧‍👦

Join Families First for our Virtual Leadership Luncheon: Building a Culture of Shared Parenting on Wednesday, September 23 from 12–1 PM.

We’ll bring together fatherhood expert and Families First Program Facilitator John Badalament, alongside Power of Parenting graduates and parent panelists Jesus Baptista, Claudia Figueroa, Octavio Toribio Cruz, Desiree Castillo, Victor Dual, and Martha Baez, for a candid conversation about fatherhood, shared parenting, and building stronger partnerships between parents.

Whether you’re a parent, community leader, educator, service provider, or someone who cares about strengthening families, we’d love to have you join the conversation.

📅 Wednesday, September 23
⏰ 12–1 PM
💻 Virtual

Register today and be part of the conversation! Link in bio under Events - Families First

Strong families don’t happen in isolation. They grow when parents have a voice, a seat at the table, and the opportunity to shape the communities they call home.

The Ripple Program brings parents together to build leadership skills, strengthen connections, and create positive change for families and communities.

Parents at the table, not in the audience. 💙

Ready to make your voice heard? Learn more about the Ripple Program on our website: https://www.families-first.org/our-programs/the-ripple-program/

🎉 Congratulations, Tiffany Benson! 🎉

Please join us in celebrating Tiffany on her promotion to Assistant Director of Programs at Families First!

This well-deserved recognition reflects Tiffany’s dedication, leadership, creativity, and commitment to the families and team she serves. We’re so excited to see her continue to grow and make an impact in this new role. 💙

💬 A quote Tiffany lives by:
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Focus on building habits that support the person you want to become.”
— James Clear

🌟 Celebrating Jasarah Burgos Dilán! 🌟

From a Families First parent to a passionate advocate and community leader, Jasarah has been a steadfast champion for families across Western Massachusetts. 💜

We’re so grateful for her leadership, collaboration, and the many ways she continues to connect families and organizations to opportunities that strengthen our communities. 🤝🏽

And a big congratulations to Jasarah on her new role as Executive Director of Enlace de Familia! 🎉👏🏽

✨ Want to learn more about Jasarah’s journey and her impact on Families First? Read the full article in our latest newsletter!

👉 Read our latest newsletter to learn more!https://www.families-first.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/FY27-Summer-Western-MA-Newsletter.pdf

🛍️ Shop, reuse, and support Families First this September! 💙

Families First is excited to participate in Stop & Shop’s reusable bag program throughout the month of September!

For every $2.50 reusable bag purchased at the Stop & Shop at 1620 Tremont St, Boston, $1 will be donated to Families First to support our work with parents, caregivers, and families.

The next time you’re grocery shopping, pick up a reusable bag and help make a difference for local families!

📍 Stop & Shop
1620 Tremont St, Boston

🗓️ All September long

☀️ Our Summer Western Mass Special Edition Newsletter is here!

There’s a lot happening across Western Massachusetts, and we’re excited to share a special edition of the Families First newsletter highlighting the people, partnerships, and milestones shaping our work in the region.
💛 Celebrating Jasarah Burgos Dilán and her incredible commitment to families and community

🤝 Power of Parenting + Madrina Project and the meaningful connections built through the program

📍 A new space in Springfield at the O’Dell Women’s Center and the incredible organizations we’re now sharing space with

🌱 Looking ahead as we celebrate the close of FY26 and the people who helped move our work forward

👀 Ready to see what’s happening in Western Mass?

👉 Read our Summer Western Mass Special Edition at https://www.families-first.org/who-we-are/annual-reports/

Back-to-school season is here! 🎒📚 A little preparation now can help make the transition smoother for the whole family.

Our back-to-school checklist includes simple ways to help your child feel ready, confident, and supported, from practicing the morning routine to talking through transportation, lunches, important dates, and emergency plans.

Save this post and check things off together! ✅💙

What’s one thing on your back-to-school checklist this year?