High Praise for EdGE Staff Members

High Praise for EdGE Staff Members

An EdGE student leaf rubbing at D.W. Merritt Elementary.

CHERRYFIELD, ME – EdGE Director Isaac Marnik, and Downeast Director Mel Adams, had high praise this week for the several full-time EdGE staff members who shouldered the added work of running EdGE after-school programs. Without them, said Isaac, the after-school programs could not have stayed open.

“We are open at all seven school locations. We had 333 students attend at least one day of an EdGE after-school program,” said Isaac.

Mel Adams said the EdGE staff really leveraged all their mental, physical, emotional energy to ensure that EdGE continued on throughout this time period. “Thank you can never be enough,” he said.

Interested in engaging youth at our after-school program? Jobs are open for EdGE after-school staff in Machias and Harrington! Plus, the Mission offers a $100 sign-on bonus after 60 days. New staffers will lead activities, oversee groups of children, and work alongside EdGE site coordinators.

“We hope to have another good month of programming going forward,” said Isaac.

Island Covid Booster Shots Follow Flu Shots

Island Covid Booster Shots Follow Flu Shots

L-R: Director of Island Outreach Douglas Cornman, Director of Island Health Services Sharon Daley, RN, Nurse Peggy Akers, and Assistant to the Island Health Services Director Margaret Snell enroute aboard a mail boat to give Covid booster shots on Maine islands.

NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — Island Health Services Director Sharon Daley, RN no sooner completed a multi-island run aboard the Sunbeam administering flu shots, when the Mission received a CDC green light to administer Covid vaccination boosters among certain island communities.

Sharon and fellow Sunbeam crew member, Director of Island Outreach & Chaplain Douglas Cornman, are members of the Mission Covid Vaccination Team. In three months, starting in February 2021, that team Covid vaccinated 343 people on seven islands.

On November 1, Douglas said, “Last week, in less than 48-hours, Sharon, Administrative Assistant Margaret Snell, and I, scheduled Covid booster shot trips to seven islands. We secured vaccine. We put fliers together announcing the vaccine booster is available, and posted them on the islands,” Douglas said.

The response from island communities was instantaneous.

“Over the weekend we had over 50 people contact me requesting their booster. In two weeks we’ll be doing boosters on those seven islands. We will have given everyone their booster before their Thanksgiving holiday,” said Douglas.

Mission’s Davis Maine Scholarship’s New Partnership with Bowdoin’s Upward Bound Program

Mission’s Davis Maine Scholarship’s New Partnership with Bowdoin’s Upward Bound Program

Davis Maine Scholars visiting partner college campuses.

NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — First-generation, college-bound students from Washington County will have an opportunity to pursue undergraduate studies with full scholarships through a new partnership. Starting with the Class of 2023, students in Bowdoin College’s Upward Bound Program are eligible to apply for Maine Seacoast Mission’s Davis Maine Scholarship. This is a full four-year scholarship to one of three partner colleges: Clark University (MA), University of New England (ME), and Wheaton College (MA).

Bowdoin’s Upward Bound Program supports Maine students from low-income backgrounds, including those attending Washington County’s eight high schools as they progress through high school and plan their post-secondary futures. The Washington County high schools included are:

  • Calais High School
  • East Grand High School
  • Jonesport-Beals High School
  • Machias Memorial High School
  • Narraguagus High School
  • Shead High School
  • Washington Academy
  • Woodland Senior High School

Since 2015 Bowdoin’s Upward Bound Program has supported over 200 Washington County students, with 89% entering college the fall after their high school graduation.

In announcing this partnership, Davis Maine Scholarship Director Christina Griffith said, “This partnership was seeded three years ago through Maine Seacoast Mission’s collaborative work with Narraguagus High School. I am thrilled eligible Bowdoin Upward Bound participants will join Narraguagus and Sumner High School students in applying for this life-changing opportunity. Collaborative partnership is foundational to the Davis Maine Scholarship program and Upward Bound has a record of exemplary student support. This new partnership elevates and deepens our shared belief in, and commitment to, increasing higher education access and success for Downeast students.”

Bowdoin College’s Upward Bound Director Bridget Mullen said, “Whenever trusted organizations aligned in mission can strengthen services and increase opportunities, it’s a big win. With deep roots in Washington County, Upward Bound and Maine Seacoast Mission have demonstrated longstanding commitment to area students. This support from the Davis Maine Scholarship and the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund makes it possible to provide greater student support after they’ve completed high school and while they’re in college. I’ve been working with Upward Bound in Washington County schools for over 30 years and I couldn’t be happier or more excited for our students.”

Our inaugural cohort of Davis Maine Scholars enters college in Fall 2022.

Maine Seacoast Mission has been committed to the people of Maine’s outer islands and Downeast coastal communities since our founding in 1905. Our mission: Rooted in a history of compassionate service and mutual trust, Maine Seacoast Mission seeks to strengthen coastal and island communities by educating youth, supporting families, and promoting good health.

For more information on the Davis Maine Scholarship, please visit here.

D.W. Merritt’s EdGE Student of the Month

D.W. Merritt’s EdGE Student of the Month

ADDISON, ME — Mission Family and Community Resource Coordinator Stephanie Moores brings us intriguing news from D.W. Merritt Elementary in Addison, ME.

“We have started a student of the month award at the D.W. Merritt EdGE program. William Roberts, pictured here, is our October recipient. William is always the first to offer help to the staff and students. He is a wonderful role model for all,” said Stephanie.

Well done, William. And thank you, Stephanie. We look forward to hearing about future students of the month.

Learn more about EdGE.

Mission Celebrates First-Generation College Students

Mission Celebrates First-Generation College Students

Davis Scholars Emilee, Ana Rosa, and Rachel on the Wheaton College campus.

NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — November 8th marks the annual National First-Generation College Celebration to honor students who will be the first members of their families to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. The day falls on the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. It is sponsored by two organizations: The Center for First Generation Student Success is a national research and advocacy organization. The Council for Opportunity in Education is a national advocacy organization that expands higher education opportunity for historically under-served students.

For decades, Maine Seacoast Mission has demonstrated support for students transitioning to and through college. Each year, we work with, learn from, and celebrate many Washington County and Eastern Hancock County first-gen students through our Mission Scholarship program and – beginning this year – our Davis Maine Scholarship program.

The Center for First Generation Student Success research on first-gen college students shows that nationally, in their first year of college, while 65 percent of first-gen students engage financial aid services, when it come to accessing other vital support services:

14% access health services
55% access academic advising
30% access additional academic support services such as tutoring
16% access career services

This data underscores the importance of the mentoring we provide, beginning early with EdGE, Journey, and island education initiatives, through college and career initiatives with our high school and college students. Helping students find their voices, advocate for themselves, and access opportunities and resources is vital for their college success and hopeful futures.

Congratulations, Mission first-gen students and families! We see you, believe in you, and are with you this day and all days!

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