"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 of us is a giver and a receiver."

- Fred Rogers

As we move towards the end of August and our home repair season nears completion, we could not be more grateful for all of the dedicated MATE volunteers and supporters who helped us to deliver help, hope, and connection to our neighbors! Thank you all so much!

Continue reading for the latest update on the following MATE news:

• Recap of 2024 Volunteer Home Repair Season
• MATE August Golden Hammer Recipient: Emily Rackliffe

The Operations Staff back in Maine continues to conduct home repairs to help additional members of our community, but because of your help this summer, we were able to complete repairs on 52 homes for 104 of our neighbors (both a 15.6% increase from 2023) experiencing housing insecurity in Central Western Maine.

You not only changed lives through conducting these repairs to create safer, warmer, dryer, and more compassionate homes for our community members, but you also developed meaningful and lasting relationships with homeowners, arguably the most important part of our service.

We were able to complete repairs in 16 towns across 3 different counties in rural Maine, the vast majority of these repairs being conducted in Franklin County, where our headquarters in Farmington is located.

We are extremely grateful to have hosted 275 volunteers throughout the summer. These volunteers came from churches across the east coast, the Farmington Rotary Club, and a number of specialized/local volunteers.

2024 HOME REPAIR WORKGROUPS

• Farmington Maine Rotary Club
• Christ Church (NJ)
• Pilgrim Church of Duxbury (MA)
• St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church (TN)
• The Dover Church (MA)
• First Presbyterian Church of Mount Holly (NJ)
• Union Congregational Church (MA)
• Supplee Presbyterian Church (PA)
• Silver Spring Presbyterian Church (PA)
• Grace Community Church (MA)

• Specialized/Local Volunteers
• Flemington Presbyterian Church (NJ)
• United Parish of Auburndale (MA)
• Camp Hill Presbyterian Church (PA), Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church (PA), and the First Presbyterian Church of Ramsey (NJ)
• Bedford Presbyterian Church (NH)
• Hartford Street Presbyterian Church (MA)

Thank you so much to our amazing volunteers for helping us to transform the lives of our neighbors one home repair at a time and we hope to see you all again next summer!

Emily is a Parent Engagement Specialist and Visitation Supervisor at the Franklin County Children’s Task Force. She spent her professional career working with children and families, for which she has a profound passion, in Greater Franklin County through Head Start, Early Head Start, Child Protective Services, and Child Abuse Prevention programs.

An on-the-ground presence in the Farmington area, Emily goes above and beyond for MATE, stepping up with whatever is needed of her, serving on numerous committees, and notably, chairing of the Transitional Housing Committee, where her knowledge working with children and families is invaluable.

Emily and her family at the Wire Bridge

Emily has deep roots in the Fairbanks Community and remains committed to doing all she can to support the community. She is a mother to two very busy boys. In her free time, Emily enjoys fishing and going for adventure rides with her family and finding out where they end up.

THANK YOU EMILY FOR ALL YOU

DO FOR MATE AND OUR NEIGHBORS!

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!

• 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

• Billian Moments Productions
• Center for Entrepreneurial Service
• Foothills Management
• OTIS Federal Credit Union
• Western Maine Community Action
• Tejas Corporation

Mission Partner Churches

• Allentown Presbyterian Church (NJ)
• Bedford Presbyterian Church (NH)
• Camp Hill Presbyterian Church (PA)
• Central Square Congregational Church (MA)
• Christ Church (NJ)
• Church of the Covenant (MA)
• First Presbyterian Church of Mount Holly (NJ)
• First Presbyterian Church of Ramsey (NJ)
• Flemington Presbyterian Church (PA)
• Grace Community Church (MA)
• Hartford Street Presbyterian Church (MA)
• Hildale Park Presbyterian Church (NJ)
• Leeds Community Church (ME)
• Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church (PA)
• Pilgrim Church of Duxbury (MA)
• Presbyterian Church of Sudbury (MA)
• Silver Spring Presbyterian Church (PA)
• St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church (TN)
• St. Rose of Lima & Joseph’s Parishes (ME)
• Stratford Street Presbyterian Church (MA)
• Supplee Presbyterian Church (PA)
• The Dover Church (MA)
• Union Congregational Church (MA)
• United Parish of Auburndale (MA)
• Wales Presbyterian Church (ME)

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*