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 PArents Helping Parents 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 7:00-9:00 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.

Learn and Play
This monthly support and educational group is for parents and their children age five and under.  Monthly topic or presentation with adjacent supervised activities for children. 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 on Wednesday mornings from 10AM to 11:30AM.

Parents Helping Parents

First Connections collaborates with Parents Helping Parents to provide this weekly parent support group.  Group members discuss the challenges and successes in parenting, parenting skills, and explore different ways of dealing with family challenges and everyday issues.  For more information or to sign up for the group call Shelley at 781-473-0815 or visit www.parentshelpingparents.org. 

Wednesdays 11:30 to 1:00
Free childcare with advanced notice

40 Something Moms Group

This monthly group is for mothers who are parenting in their 40's.  Members can be first time parents or have older children and are now parenting an infant or toddler again.  The group is facilitated by Laura Gerson, LICSW. 

Thursdays 9:30 to 11:00 AM (Free childcare by request)

Tuesdays 7:30 to 9:00 PM (no Childcare)

Single Parents Support Group

Single parents have an extra layer of stress in their lives.  Handling the day to day ups and downs of raising children as a single parent can leave you feeling as though you don't have a moment to yourself.  This group offers parents a place to discuss lifes challenges, to give and gain feedback and to share with other parents who are parenting alone or co-parenting with a former partner.  This group is facilitated by Markie Cahn, LICSW, Ed.D. 

Saturdays 1:00-3:00 PM January 21,  February 25, MArch 24. 

Free (childcare available on request by emailing lmatthews@jri.org)

To register for any of the above groups or reserve childcare please call 978-287-0221.