News from the Outreach-Engagement and

Interpretation of the PNNE Leadership Commission

Sub-Committee-April 2023

 

Mission at the Eastward is a vital non-profit that has been in existence for almost 70 years in Central Western Maine.  MATE provides help and hope to the underserved by offering home repair work, transitional housing, and youth enrichment programming.  The service to MATE’s neighbors in need is provided by generous grantors and donors, including PNNE, and faithful volunteers who come from all over the United States to partner with MATE in the mission field.

​

Because of all the support MATE received during the pandemic, MATE didn’t just survive but it thrived.  During COVID, MATE not only continued providing home repairs to dozens of homeowners, but it also grew by adding two new areas of outreach: McCleary House for transitional housing for the housing insecure in partnership with Fairbanks Union Church and a Tiny House Project.  MATE is pleased to announce, McCleary is currently hosting a family of 5.  By fall, with volunteer help and monies received from Presbyterian Women’s Birthday Offering, MATE will complete McCleary House’s renovations by building a bunk room and egress upstairs and finishing all outdoor updates.  The bunk room will be used to host volunteer teams when the house is not being used for guest clients.  MATE’s second new program is an innovative solution to the affordable housing crisis in the Farmington area-a Tiny Home.  This project will come to fruition in July and August because of hard-working volunteers and gifts from gracious donors like PNNE, and grant monies from the Synod of the Northeast.  In the first week of July, MATE’s Youth Connection is rolling out a program designed to inspire youth to get involved in outreach and mission work.  What a blessing this is and there is still time for YOU to get involved in MATE’s work in 2023!  Please join in!  Learn more by going to the website listed below.

 

MATE’s call to serve comes out of Jesus’ commandment ‘to love our neighbor.’  One of MATE’s client homeowners named Ashley, had this to say after hearing the good news that MATE would help her family, “I woke up that morning and felt like a new person.  The constant stress was gone, and I could breathe again.  I could get my life back on track.”  She continued, “Thank you to all those who support MATE and make it possible to help people like me.  There are families like mine out there, doing their best to make ends meets and provide for their children, who just don’t qualify for the aid they need.”

​

Please know that MATE is so grateful to the people and churches of PNNE for your support.  YOU have made a difference to Ashley and so many others like her through the years.  MATE thanks all of YOU who donate and volunteer, and a special thank you to PNNE, Presbyterian Women, and the Synod, for helping MATE love their neighbors through your gifts of time, talent, and treasure.  YOU make everything good happen at MATE!  So come on up to MATE this summer.

 

Visit; https://missionattheeastward.org for more information about partnering with this non-profit with a big impact!

 

Submission by Rev. Karen J. Hagy HR