First Connections recognizes the importance of developing ongoing relationships with other parents based on a common connection.

To support your growth as a parent, we offer the following specialized support groups.
These groups meet monthly, except for the Young Parent Program which meets weekly.

To join a support group and find out exact meeting dates, please call our office at
978-287-0221 and/or speak with the group facilitator. We appreciate hearing from you if you are unable to attend a particular group meeting date. Unless stated otherwise, groups meet at First Connections. No fees are charged to attend,  parking fees are $6-7, validation is available if needed.

• Cultural Sharing
  This group is for moms who were born abroad and are raising their children in the U.S. This Multicultural Moms group meets once a month to share observations, unique perspectives, and thoughts on the ever-evolving role of raising a bi– or tri-cultural child. Moms currently attending are from Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, China, Russia, Hungary, Japan and Greece. Facilitated by Ellen Weisstein.
  This group meets monthly on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
  
  
• Parents of Multiples
  This lively gathering is for moms whose children arrive in a group. All moms
  expecting or raising twins or triplets are welcome. An abundance of topics are
  discussed each month. Moms of Multiples come together to share and gather tips
  and strategies to ease day-to-day challenges. Facilitated by Risa Goldman and Helen Shaw, both moms of preschool-aged twins.
  This group meets monthly on Wednesday evenings from 7:o0-9:00 p.m.
  
  
• We Are Family
  This monthly support and educational group is for parents who are caring for foster children, or who have adopted a child after age 3. The group shares, informs, listens, educates, and supports each other for the benefit of their children and themselves as parents. Please contact Mary Rowlinson, our Adoption Specialist and mother of three adopted children, who facilitates this group before attending at 978-287-0221, or mrowlinson@jri.org.
  This group meets monthly, year round, on Thursdays from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
  
  
• Young Parent Program
  “YPP” is a group of interesting young women, age 25 and under, who meet each
  week to support and get to know each other. Moms in the group are married,
  single, at home, working, or in school, and come from a variety of towns.
  Free childcare is provided at First Connections. Call Sue Green, who facilitates
  this group, to join.
  “YPP” meets weekly on Thursday mornings from 9:30-11:00 a.m.

To register for a group call First Connections at 978-287-0221.