It’s Thank you Thursday for Project ReachOut Staff, Volunteers

It’s Thank you Thursday for Project ReachOut Staff, Volunteers

BAR HARBOR, ME — It’s Thank you Thursday and today’s shout out of Mission Love goes to the 50 Project ReachOut staff and volunteers. Launched in early April 2020, Project ReachOut is based on a simple idea; we are all better off when we connect. A kind word and a simple “how can we help?” can make all the difference. Through Project ReachOut, Mission staff and volunteers call Mission friends and neighbors Downeast and within Maine island communities to check in, offer a word of support, and ask how we can help.

Our 2,300 calls reached more than 1,000 local families, some needing help in several ways including: food assistance, home repairs, fuel assistance, rent/mortgage assistance, car repairs, electric bills, and appliance repairs.

We could not be doing all of this great work without our amazing EdGE crew and volunteer Project ReachOut callers making the connections with the families.

This is what community looks like.

‘Sunbeam’ Updater – Upholsterers Aboard Measure for New Cushions

‘Sunbeam’ Updater – Upholsterers Aboard Measure for New Cushions

BELFAST, ME — Received a short note and photo late yesterday from Sunbeam Capt. Mike Johnson, who said, “Brian and Art from Art’s Canvas & Upholstery in Belmont, ME were aboard the Sunbeam Monday night, June 22, to measure for our new cushions. These two know their stuff. I believe even sewed their own masks!”

Thanks, Capt. Mike, for the updater.

Students and Healthcare Services on Maine’s Island Communities Stay Connected

Students and Healthcare Services on Maine’s Island Communities Stay Connected

Screenshot of recent Zoom conference among Island Elder Care group. (Not part of original USDA press release).

Students and Healthcare Services on Maine’s Island Communities Stay Connected
Posted by Timothy P. Hobbs, USDA Rural Development State Director for Maine in Rural Technology
Jun 19, 2020

Maine’s island communities are scattered up and down the coastline, many of them miles out to sea – they’re rural communities carving out a life both in and on the Atlantic Ocean. Despite the distance from the mainland, the educators and healthcare workers in this remote area of the state are dedicated to providing the critical services our island residents depend on and have adapted to the necessary changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the elements of this adaptation has been through the use of telecommunications, and as State Director of USDA Rural Development in Maine, I’m happy our agency has been able to serve as a key partner in bringing this technology to our rural island communities.

Telemedicine…depends on quality broadband connections to provide support to our island communities. For example, Sharon Daley is the nurse for the Maine Seacoast Mission, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life and wellbeing for residents in Maine’s coastal and island communities. Sharon recently organized a videoconference for residents on the Cranberry Isles, hosting Barbara MacPike, an infectious disease specialist from Mount Desert Island Hospital in Bar Harbor. Barbara shared current information about COVID-19 and residents were able to ask questions about coronavirus, and get answers to their concerns.

Full story

Mission Virtual Island Church Service, June 7, 2020

Mission Virtual Island Church Service, June 7, 2020

BAR HARBOR, ME — Recently, Mission Island Health Services Director Douglas Cornman announced his planned schedule for hosting Sunday services for Maine islands where Covid-19 is keeping churches closed. Douglas’s services will be available to those island residents through Zoom.

This video is a recording of the first virtual Sunday Service, June 7, 2020.

For more information email Douglas Cornman.

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