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
978-278-0221 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, although hospital parking fees apply ($5 for up to 2 hours).

• 40 Something
  This group is for moms who delivered or adopted their first child at age 40 or older. The group is supportive of each other and has a collective sense of humor about having children later in life. Moms in the group are at home full time, working full time, or a combination of both. Facilitated by Sue Green.
  This group meets monthly on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9:00 p.m.
  
  
• 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, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, China, Russia, Turkey, and France. Facilitated by Ellen Weisstein.
  This group meets monthly on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9:00 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. Jane Turner Michael facilitates this
  group; Jane’s twin boys are in college.
  This group meets monthly on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9:00 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.
  
  
• Calling All Grandparents
  Ggrandparents gather to discuss the joys of being a parent-once-removed, the
  not-so-empty nest, the long-distance love affair with grandchildren, and the
  opportunities and challenges of grand parenting a multi-cultural family, among
  many other topics. This group is co-facilitated by First Connections’ Director,
  Ellen Weisstein, and grandparent/ social worker, Margie Cahn.
  Monthly meetings are held at La Provence Restaurant, Concord, MA on
  Thursdays from 9:30-11:00 a.m.
  
  
• Celebrating Common Threads
  Allison Hillman, the mother of a young boy with Down Syndrome, facilitates this
  group for parents and caregivers of children birth through 12 years with Down
  Syndrome. Allison is affiliated with the Parents First Call Program, which is
  sponsored by the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. Monthly meetings
  is a place for participants to share personal experiences, ideas, and advice on
  how to become the best advocates for their child. Resources and encouragement
  are shared as children reach new milestones.
  Monthly meetings are held Tuesday evenings, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
  
  
• This Isn’t What I Expected
  Your baby has arrived. Yes the experience is miraculous, but are you surprised by some of your feelings. Anxious, not sleeping even when the baby sleeps, finding it hard to make decisions, your thoughts racing and sometimes you feel everyone around you could parent your child better than you. You are not alone! Come join other women struggling with some of these disquieting feelings either postpartum or during their child’s early years. Dr Liz Torres will help you learn strategies to affirm your parenting while taking care of yourself.
  Meets Monthly 9:30-11:00 a.m. at First Connections
  
  
• 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 afternoons from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

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