by maineseacoast | Jul 2, 2020 | Downeast Maine Tiny House Project, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Scott Shaw
Hanging sheetrock inside the Downeast Maine tiny house.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — The Downeast Maine Tiny House Project, after a several month hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions, is back on track.
The house, which will be owned by a disabled military Veteran, was in its first phase of construction at Assabet Valley Regional High School in Massachusetts. After students under the direction of Lead Teacher of House Carpentry Bill Italiano made the tiny house ready to travel, the next step was to drive the house to its lot in Milbridge, set the house on its foundation, and finish the home for occupancy.
Enter Covid-19. Assabet Valley Regional HS was closed, students were sent home, then the school year ended. Months passed. Finally, Bill Italiano was given permission to re-enter the school. Using his own vacation time, Bill started completing the work necessary for the tiny house to travel to Maine. He was later joined by former student James Watkins, and Bill’s friend, Jack O’Brien. Lee Watrous, a wonderful Housing Rehabilitation Program volunteer, is now also on site at the HS finishing up the interior sheet-rocking.
The goal is to have the home in Milbridge by late July. A million thanks to Bill Italiano, Lee Watrous, and all of the volunteers who put this very worthwhile project back on track. The Downeast Maine Tiny House Project is a joint effort by CF Adams Foundation, Maine Seacoast Mission, Downeast Community Partners, and volunteers. News updates to be added to the Downeast Maine Tiny House Project blog.
by maineseacoast | Jul 2, 2020 | Maine Seacoast Mission, News
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Diehl Snyder, MD
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Joanne Harris
BAR HARBOR, ME – At its June meeting, the Mission Board honored directors whose terms were expiring and approved new members, an experience that always happens with mixed emotions. Two incoming members, Diehl Snyder, MD and Joanne Harris will join the Board.
Dr. Snyder recently retired as director of MDI Hospital Behavioral Health Center which he was instrumental in founding. For many years, Dr. Snyder has assisted the Mission and Sunbeam crew with telemedicine psychiatric services. He was a Sunbeam Award recipient in 2019. Dr. Snyder is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Joanne Harris served as Human Resources Director of The Jackson Laboratory for almost 3 decades, followed by 10 years at MDI Hospital. She also served on the Maine State Workforce Development Council, helping shape job opportunities for Maine citizens. Retired in 2017, Joanne has worked with small businesses in a consulting role. She graduated Florida State University, Tallahassee, with a baccalaureate degree in Political Science.
Stacey Smith of Bar Harbor, elected to the board in 2011, is passing the torch as President to Dan McKay, of Northeast Harbor. Linda Lewis of Bar Harbor started as a board member in 2014, serving on the Island Services Committee and Downeast Campus Committee. Jim Geary of Southwest Harbor, elected to the Board in 2011, served on the EdGE Committee, as Board Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee, and as an Audit Committee member. They have helped steward the Mission through strategic planning, major capital campaigns, leadership transition, and a public health crisis.
We offer a heartfelt welcome to new Mission directors and the community’s utmost gratitude to those who answered the Mission’s call of compassionate service.
by maineseacoast | Jul 2, 2020 | Downeast Campus, Food Pantry, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Thank You Thursday
CHERRYFIELD, ME — It’s Thank you Thursday and today’s shout out of Mission Love goes to Renee Pray.
Renee Pray works as a cook at Milbridge Elementary School during the school year, and with the Mission and other partners during the summer, providing meals to children in the community. She is committed to feeding all children and does it with a smile on her face. The children love her and the meals she creates, especially her chocolate chip cookies.
The Mission offers meals to children at EdGE Summer Camp and through deliveries to childrens’ homes this summer and we couldn’t be more appreciative of Renee Pray and MSAD #37, as we partner in supporting Washington County families.
This is what community looks like.
by maineseacoast | Jul 1, 2020 | COVID-19 Updates, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Scholarships
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Terri Rodick’s car decked out to deliver “Graduation in a Box.”
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“Graduation in a Box”
BAR HARBOR, ME — We welcome 20 new Mission Scholars this year! “The scholarship amounts range from $1,500 to $5,000, totaling $67,000 in new scholarships, and $104,000 in renewed scholarships to Hancock and Washington County students,” said Mission Scholarships Director Terri Rodick.
This year’s application season saw many changes as we adjusted the program to adapt to Covid-19 restrictions.
“This year we did all our interviews on Zoom,” Terri explained. Even though there were some issues with internet connectivity, still, she said, “I felt Zoom was a great way to meet the applicants. It allowed our sheltering at home Board of Directors and Scholarship Committee to participate in a meaningful, thoughtful way. The student applicants were already studying online this spring. Their availability and flexibility made scheduling time to meet with them much easier,” Terri said.
Also, because the Class of 2020 missed out on their normal graduation ceremonies, for each Mission Scholarship recipient Terri put together a “Graduation in a Box.” Scholarship grads within driving distance were treated to Terri (standing in their driveways, wearing a mask at a safe distance!) presenting them each with a congratulatory box of surprises and accolades. Boxes were mailed to 2020 grads outside Terri’s driving range.
Congratulations to all! They join a 100+ year Mission scholarship tradition.
Maine Seacoast Mission New Scholarship Recipients for 2020
by maineseacoast | Jun 25, 2020 | Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Sunbeam
BELFAST, ME — An uplifting photo Tweet from Front Street Shipyard, where the Sunbeam is having a refit, with a short, but also uplifting, caption: Getting SUNBEAM’s hull prepped for paint.
by maineseacoast | Jun 25, 2020 | Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Thank You Thursday
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.
