MATE Housing Ministry
We Create Safe Places to Live!
MATE’s Housing Ministry helps community members in Central Western Maine stay in their homes by conducting critical home repairs they otherwise could not afford. Volunteers from around the country, largely consisting of work teams located throughout the east coast, spend a week in Maine in each summer performing the indispensable service. These volunteers respond to the needs of the community with commitment, dedications, and an open heart, developing a deep bond with each other and the homeowners they assist, resulting in better understanding, empathy, and knowledge of the needs of our fellow community members who are struggling, at the moment, to get by. Volunteers are often left feeling as though they got more than they gave from the experience, leaving with a newfound prospective on rural poverty and often returning for service trips year after year.
Our housing repair service is available to anyone who requests assistance, most of whom are dealing with financial and other difficult and systemic challenges. Often times, these homeowners don’t qualify for the aid they need and we are their last and only home. The repairs that our volunteers carry-out each summer are critical, enabling our neighbors to stay in warm, healthy and safe environments, and avoid falling into the devastating cycle of homelessness.
For Our Clients
WHO? You have a home, but you’re unable to perform repairs or pay someone to do them. You are elderly, a single parent, a veteran or a person with a disability – reach out to us!
WHAT? Painting, roof repairs, porches, steps, ramps and simple interior and exterior repair are likely projects for MHM. Wherever possible, we ask homeowners and families to participate in the work and its cost.
WHERE? Mostly our neighbors in parts of Franklin and Somerset counties. For a full list click this link: Franklin County for the following areas/towns: The “Greater” Farmington area, Chesterville, Mercer, Jay, N. Jay, Livermore Falls, Wilton, New Sharon, Temple, Strong, Starks, Industry, New Vineyard. Western Somerset County for the following areas/towns: New Portland, Lexington, Highland Plantation, Embden, N. Anson, Anson.
WHEN? Most of our work takes place during the summer, but we are working hard to get the program going year-round.
HOW? Fill out this application and return it. Each application received will be considered. You will be contacted to set up an assessment appointment, and we will notify you whether or not we are able to do the work requested.
WHY? Because we love to serve God and we care about our neighbors and community. We strive to bring health, safety and warmth to homes and bring resiliency to the people and communities we serve.
For more information about who we are and what we do, or inquiries for participation in our volunteer program, contact Operations Manager, Dan Flint at housing@missionattheeastward.org.
For Our Volunteers
Are you someone who likes to get your hands dirty and build? We need you! Individuals who desire to work with MHM should contact our Operations Manager at housing@missionattheeastward.org. Church & community groups who wish to send a work team should click the button below to download our volunteer application!
2024 MATE Housing Ministry Calendar
| WEEK | ||
| June 2 – June 8 | ||
| June 9 – June 15 | ||
| June 16 – June 22 | -First Congregational Church in Shrewsbury, MA. | |
| June 23 – June 29 |
-The Dover Church |
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| June 30 – July 6 | ||
| July 7 – July 13 | -Union Congregational Church | |
| July 14 – July 20 | -First Presbyterian Church of Mount Holly, NJ |
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| July 21 – July 27 |
-Camp Hill Presbyterian Church |
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| July 28 – August 3 | -Bedford Presbyterian Church | |
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August 4 – August 10 |
-Grace Community Church |
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| August 11 – August 17 |