‘It’s nice to have someone to lean on:’ Healthy Families Boston Parents Bond at Parent Connection Cafe

Laughter, yawns from overtired parents, words of affirmation, and the playful chorus of children playing – these are just a few of the sounds you might hear if you strolled into one of Catholic Charities Boston’s Healthy Families Parent Connection Cafe events.  

Serving the communities of Boston, Haverhill, and the North Shore, Catholic Charities Boston’s Healthy Families program is a voluntary and free home-based family coaching program that supports young, first-time parents and helps them create stable, nurturing environments for their children.  

In addition to matching parents with trained home visitors who teach them about proper baby care, effective parenting skills, and healthy child development, the program seeks to offer young, first-time parents a strong network where they feel both supported and seen as they navigate the joys and challenges of early parenthood.  

Once a month, staff and parents from Healthy Families Boston gather somewhere local to meet new friends, trade parenting stories, and affirm to one another that no matter what, they are never alone.  

At the last Parent Connection Cafe in March, Shinell, a Boston native who joined the program during the first trimester of her pregnancy, sat cross-legged on the rug of Healthy Families Boston’s warmly lit office with a group of other young moms, her daughter, Nyla, napping peacefully in her arms.  

Reflecting on their experiences in the program over plates of pizza, Shinell told the group about the difference her home visitor, Sadie, has made in her life – how she is not only a wealth of knowledge but also a shoulder to lean on, a mentor, and a friend. 

“She gives me great feedback, and it’s nice having someone to vent to,” said Shinell. “We talk about parenting, about life, about jobs. She always remembers the details.” 

Isabel, whose son is just two years old, echoed Shinell’s sentiments. 

“It’s just me and him,” she said, gesturing to her baby boy. “So it makes a big difference having another adult to talk to and lean on when things get challenging.” 

Sitting across from them, a third Healthy Families client, Mia, nodded along, listening. On August 10th, Mia is due to give birth to her first child – an unexpected life change she is facing with gratitude and courage.  

Already, Mia says Healthy Families Boston has offered her access to a range of resources she says she otherwise wouldn’t have known about, from social outings with other young moms, to parenting lessons, to mentorship on her own career and academic endeavors. Above all, Mia says she draws strength and hope from watching the dedication and resilience of the other young moms she has met.  

“I’ve learned a lot that I didn’t know before,” said Mia. “I’m just excited to meet my son and to hold him.” 

To learn more about Catholic Charities Boston’s Healthy Families programs, click here. To find out how you can support Catholic Charities Boston’s clients most in need, visit our Ways to Give page.