Fulfilling the Needs of our Communities
Our programs vary from providing referrals to support networks to providing access to food and clothing to supporting elders and families with young children in our community.
North Suburban Child & Family Resource Network
The North Suburban Child & Family Resource Network supports all parents, caregivers and educators of children prenatal through entering kindergarten who live in Lynnfield, Malden, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield and Winchester as well as other surrounding communities.
Our goal is to help parents and caregivers create a healthy home environment as well as to promote family well-being through education and community support. We provide parent education workshops, playgroups, support groups, family activities and information on parenting and community resources. Programs and activities are located within our seven-town service area. Resources for services for older children are also available.
For more information and to join our mailing list, please call 781-246-5187.
Funding is provided by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care through the Wakefield Public Schools, in collaboration with MelroseWakefield Healthcare. Additional funding sources are a variety of grants and generous donations from our families and supporters.
We offer numerous programs available to help parents and caregivers access the needed support their families need.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in Harmony
We offer a support group for grandparents raising their grandchildren or other relatives raising a family member. The program meets twice a month from September through June. For additional information, call 781-246-5187.
Ages and Stages Developmental Screenings
As parents, we want to know that our child is on track developing and learning all that they can. Through the department of early education and care, we have received access to the ages and stages of developmental and social-emotional growth questionnaires.
This screening tool is a great way to learn more about your child’s development. Once completed, you and a staff member can review the results and see what we can do together to help your child reach their full potential. If you have any questions, please call our office at 781-246-5187.
WIC Nutrition Programs
Are you struggling to meet your weekly food bill with a child under 5 years old? Are you a new mom on unpaid maternity leave? Has your family recently experienced a reduction in work hours or job loss?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, you may be eligible for WIC (Women, Infants and Children) benefits. The North Suburban WIC is a health and nutrition program sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the USDA, administered locally by MelroseWakefield Healthcare.
To find out if you’re eligible, please call 781-338-7578 or apply online.
Current participants can meet with the family support coordinator, who can help you find additional community support such as housing and childcare needs. For further information or to schedule an appointment please call 781-338-7570.
Mobile Food Market
If you need food assistance, we have a program that may help. Once a month, on the second Saturday at 1 p.m., we distribute fresh produce, dairy products and other healthy food items. Pre-registration is required, please call 781-338-7568.
This program is offered by North Suburban WIC Program/MelroseWakefield Healthcare, in partnership with the Greater Boston Food Bank and the Malden Zonta Club.
Baby Café
We offer free, drop-in virtual support programs several times a week on Zoom. Breastfeeding and pregnant mothers who want to learn more about breastfeeding are welcome to attend. Baby Cafés are facilitated by MelroseWakefield Hospital lactation consultants and counselors.
For more information, please call 781-979-MILK (6455), email breastfeeding@melrosewakefield.org or join us for our next session.
Mothers Helping Mothers Clothing Closet
If you are in need of a helping hand, call 781-338-7579 to make an appointment for the store which includes items, such as books, infant and children’s clothing (up to size 16), and baby essentials.
If you have gently used items you would like to donate, call 781-338-7607. We accept children’s clothes, books, bouncy seats, disposable diapers (open packages are okay), maternity clothes, Pack ‘n Play®, swings and strollers. We do not currently accept adult clothing, toys, cribs or car seats.
Programs for Families With Young Children
Healthy Families
Healthy Families Melrose-Wakefield/MA Home Visiting Initiative is a home visiting program available for first-time parents age 24 and under. We serve families living in Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham and Wakefield.
Parents can receive these services during pregnancy through their child’s third birthday. You are eligible for this free and voluntary program if you are a first-time parent, age 24 or younger and your baby is less than one year old at the time of referral. You do not need to receive care from a MelroseWakefield Healthcare facility or physician to be eligible.
Healthy Families supports you with services, such as:
- connection to community resources and activities
- information on child development
- prenatal and parenting coaching
- support groups and activities
- support of goal development for the future
For further information, please contact us at 781-338-7550.
Healthy Families is funded by the Children’s Trust. The MA Home Visiting Initiative is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Services are free to families that meet the eligibility guidelines with no income requirement.
Programs for Aging Community Members
Aging in Balance
Aging in Balance is a senior outreach program providing educational programs, blood pressure monitoring and ask-a-nurse clinics at low-income elder housing sites and community-based venues. We offer evidence-based educational programs on a variety of topics, based on the needs of our communities, such as sleep health, improving balance for fall prevention, meditation and heart health.
For further information, please contact us at 781-338-7823.
The Community Family – Dutton Center
The Community Family – Dutton Center offers a low-cost option for the care of elderly and disabled adults, offering nursing care, therapeutic activities, nutrition and socialization opportunities, as well as much-needed respite for their care providers.
For more information, visit their website or call 781-246-2820.
Philips Lifeline
Philips Lifeline provides 24/7 personal emergency response services to thousands of subscribers. These services are available to patients and community members. You can get help anytime with the press of a button. Specialty services such as fall detection, medication management and medicine lockboxes are available.
To learn more about Philips Lifeline or to order a personal emergency response device, talk with your physician provider or call Philips Lifeline at:
- MassHealth customers: 800-368-2925
- Private pay customers: 800-242-1306 ext 4939
