“All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors – in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.”

Fred Rogers (The World According to Mister Rogers)

June brings the first of our volunteer work teams to MATE! After much preparation and planning, we are ready to welcome volunteers coming for the first time and those coming for the 35th visit, folks of all ages and skills. Thank you to all for your time and talents. You are giving of yourself in ways that provide hope and connection to many of our friends and neighbors. You will change lives, including your own.

Keep reading for information on:

• June "Golden Hammer" Award Recipient: Millard Rackliffe
• Thank You to Our Volunteers
• Spring Fundraiser Update & Need for Support
• MATE's Need for a 2nd Work Vehicle

If you've been on a service trip to MATE in the last couple of years, you've almost certainly run into Millard. In fact, when you travel to Central Western Maine, it's hard not to cross paths with Millard, who may very well be the busiest man in Farmington.

From running the audio on Sundays at Fairbanks Union Church, to serving as the hospitality coordinator at the Farmington Conference Center, to sitting on the Maine Outdoor Ministry advisory council, Millard seems to be at the forefront of almost any group or activity that makes our little corner of the world a better and brighter place to live.

We could not be more thankful to have Millard as a part of the MATE family, where he wears MANY hats! From serving as a Site Supervisor and helping guide and teach less experienced workgroups during their service trip, to helping as a Site Assessment Specialist in the spring, to being the de facto McCleary House winter caretaker, to serving year-round on numerous committees, Millard goes above and beyond, volunteering countless hours of his time in an effort to help MATE improve the lives of our neighbors in the greater Farmington area.

Guided by his strong foundation in the Christian faith, Millard is always willing to lend help to anyone in need. Millard cares deeply for his friends and family, has a great sense of humor, and is always up for having a little fun while he is working.

THANK YOU MILLARD FOR ALL YOU DO!

To nominate someone you know for the Golden Hammer Award, please email us by clicking the button below. In the subject line, state "MATE Golden Hammer Award Nomination", include at least one photo that we could use for the story (the more the merrier!), and a brief write-up, such as the one above, about why this person deserves the award. We can't wait to see all the wonderful stories from our incredible volunteers!

What teams are coming this summer?

MATE brags a lot about our volunteer work teams: church partners "from away" which send teams during the summer housing season. Some have been coming for over 30 years. This year almost half the volunteers are under the age of 18. Is that cool, or what? Teams spend a week in Maine, repairing houses for our neighbors who can't do that work themselves. A loud shout out to you! Thank you!

• The Dover Church (MA)
• Pilgrim Church of Duxbury (MA)
• Christ Church of Summit (NJ)
• St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church (TN)
• Union Congregational Church (MA)
• First Presbyterian Church of Mount Holly (NJ)
• Supplee Presbyterian Church (PA)
• Camp Hill Presbyterian Church (PA)
• Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church (PA)
• Flemington Presbyterian Church (NJ)
• United Parish of Auburndale (MA)
• Bedford Presbyterian Church (NH)
• Grace Community Church (MA)
• Silver Springs Presbyterian Church (PA)

Thank you to Our Local Volunteers, TOO!! There is room for more!

We also want to give a shout out to our local volunteers who show up to help in many awesome ways. Some come as a team for a dedicated work day (KUDOS to the Farmington Rotary Club). Some come by themselves. Some come only once, and some come over and over, 3 days a week! These folks are amazing, and we are so grateful!

Thanks to three volunteers from our faith partners: Cindy from our local church partner Fairbanks Union Church, retired pastor MaryEllen, and Father Paul from St. Joseph's & Rose of Lima parishes, who each helped with site assessments. These individuals connected with the homeowners during site assessment visits, verifying their application information and getting to know their stories, thereby helping us serve the homeowners better.

We also have Farmington-based volunteers who do all kinds of tasks to help prepare for the season and assist when workgroups are present - Millard, Tom, Damian, Michael, Keith, Harold, Cindy and Tom, Saydi, Chris' family, Ed, and so many others! They have helped for months, and we are in awe of their contributions.

We would love to have more local volunteers. We need your help, and we have so many ways you can support us. You can come for just a day or more often. Come by yourself. Or, bring your bowling team, your book club or your fellow employees. We have lots of projects for any level of skills. If you would rather, you can join a team of our "away" volunteers (they are truly fun, welcoming people), or we can figure out something for you to do "remotely." We rely on volunteers for many tasks, and every effort matters. We can even find jobs that don't involve building skills.

Special thank you

MATE has developed creative ways to save money and get materials we need. This spring, Operations Manager Lucas Fitch connected with a Farmington retail operation, Save A Lot, which donated an estimated $7500 worth of shelving to MATE. That donation enabled staff and local volunteers to better organize the barn area where tools and supplies are stored, making it easier and safer to find and access needed tools.

Every effort is one step closer to changing lives!

MAIL CHECK TO

Mission at the Eastward

PO Box 206

Farmington, Maine. 04938



The work MATE does is critical to support households and communities in fighting housing insecurity.

Limited affordable housing options in many areas of the US, including Maine, increase housing insecurity and homelessness for those already dealing with poverty or disabilities. Most homeowners who MATE serves report an income below $20,000.

Issues that add to the problem of poverty and housing insecurity in Maine include:

• Maine has aging housing stock, and some homes are unavailable to be occupied due to poor conditions;

• Housing is becoming less affordable and harder to find in Maine, making investment in, and repairs of, existing older homes more important to provide housing security,



• Overall, low home construction over the past decade limits current housing supply, including affordable housing;

• Maine's aging population often requires adaptations to existing housing to allow individuals to "age in place";

• There is reduced rental housing;

• Overall, owning a home in Maine is increasingly unaffordable for everyone (the cost of rent or owning is more than 30% of household income). In fact, buying a home in Maine is currently not affordable for the majority of Mainers, let alone those who are poor.

• According to Maine Housing, 79.1% of Maine households were unable to afford to buy a median priced home in 2023. From 2000 to 2023, the price of a median home in Maine increased by 300%.

(Source: State of Maine Housing Production Needs Study):

Your support makes it possible for MATE to serve a critical housing need. "The best solution to homelessness is to keep people where they are currently housed." Dr. Gregg Colburn, Assistant Professor, Real Estate, University of Washington

Current MATE Work Truck

Example of a Future MATE Work Van

MATE repairs homes in 5 counties of Central Western Maine. That’s a lot of road miles for volunteer work teams and staff. Materials and supplies go to work sites and questions need to be answered.

MATE currently has one 10-year-old truck to respond to many demands; which makes it difficult to deliver and pick-up materials and tools when the truck is busy.

Dan Flint, our Operations Manager for the past 3 seasons, used his own work van to make those trips. This season we don’t have a second vehicle and need one. If you, or someone you know, have a work truck or van that you would be able to lend or rent to us for the season, or simply donate to MATE, it would be greatly appreciated and put to incredible use as we change a growing number of lives through volunteer home repairs. Please contact our Executive Director, Chris DeLisle, by clicking the button below.

• Become a homeowner partner (click button below for application)
• Volunteer to work (click button below to contact us)
• Donate time, talent or goods in support of our cause to build lives in Central Western Maine

We look forward to providing quality content to our followers to keep you all engaged and knowledgeable about the exciting things happening at MATE because of loyal supporters like you. Give us a follow!

We are extremely grateful and very excited for the future!

Mission Partner Grantors and Donors

• Presbyterian Women
• Betterment Foundation
• Maine Association of Realtors

Mission Partner Community Members

• Western Maine Community Action
• Center for Entrepreneurial Services
• OTIS Federal Credit Union

Mission Partner Churches

• Central Square Congregational Church
• St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church
• Supplee Presbyterian Church
• St. Joseph & Rose of Lima Parishes
• Pilgrim Church of Duxbury
• Supplee Presbyterian Church
• Stratford Street United Church
• Allentown Presbyterian Church
• Presbyterian Church of Sudbury
• The Dover Church
• First Presbyterian Church of Ramsey
• Leeds Community Church
• Wales Presbyterian Church
• Hildale Park Presbyterian Church

Memorial and Honoring Gifts

• In memory of Bob Beauregard
• In memory of Joyce Shatto
• In honor of Cathy & David Myer's children who both helped MATE

Individual & Family Donors

• Thank you to our many individual and family donors who make up the bulk of our donor base. We are so blessed to have you all behind the work we're doing in rural Central Western Maine!

**for the purpose of confidentiality, we will no longer reveal the names of our individual and family donors**