Dorchester CARES

The mission of Dorchester CARES is to coordinate, develop and institutionalize comprehensive community-based programs, which will support families and prevent child abuse and neglect in target neighborhoods. To achieve this mission, they bring together all interested individuals and organizations in order to strengthen families and build more supportive communities. Established in 1989, Dorchester CARES achieves their mission by bringing together all interested individuals and organizations in order to strengthen families and build more supportive communities. Focusing on neighborhood and institutional levels of influence, CARES intends to build a caring community around families with children, enhancing natural helping networks and making it as easy as possible for the right kind of help to be available at the right time and right place. The activities and services of the Dorchester CARES Coalition reach nearly 1,000 families in the Dorchester community each year. Over 650 newborns and their parents receive Welcome Baby! Baskets, delivered by trained community advocates who help families connect to the supports they need. Through their Nurturing Programs, dozens of families come together to learn positive communication and nurturing routines. The Dorchester Patch program supports over 75 families as they reach out for services to help them keep their children safe and healthy. More families are engaged in their community events throughout the year as well as their WeCAN volunteer network and our Patch Council.