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!
2023 MATE Housing Ministry Calendar
| WEEK | ||
| June 4 – June 10 | ||
| June 11- June 17 | ||
| June 18 – June 24 | ||
| June 25 – July 1 |
Dover Church (FULL) |
|
| July 2 – July 8 | NOT AVAILABLE | |
| July 9 – July 15 | Union Congregational Church Sudbury Presbyterian Church |
|
| July 16 – July 22 | Camp Hill Presbyterian Church | |
| July 23 – July 29 |
Allentown Presbyterian Church (FULL) |
|
| July 30 – August 5 |
Bedford Presbyterian Church |
|
|
August 6 – August 12 |
Grace Community Church
|
|
| August 13 – August 19 |
Seeking Site Supervisors for 2023 Season
This summer season, we’re expecting to host over 300 volunteers for the first time since before Covid. In order to ensure that operations run smoothly, we’re seeking Site Supervisors to assist our Operations Manager and Assistant Operations Manager during two of our busiest weeks.
Common Duties of a Site Supervisor
- Assist in obtaining and delivering tools, equipment and materials to work sites
- Working with and directing work on site by volunteer groups
- Assisting with orientation of volunteers
- Coordinating with homeowner clients on work details and work site logistics
Desired Attributes of a Site Supervisor
- Experience with home repair tasks, methods, tools, materials
- Experience working with, supporting, directing volunteer groups
- Experience working with homeowner clients
- A heart for the mission: interested in the MATE home repair ministry
- Experience as a MATE volunteer
We’ll provide lodging for our Volunteer Site Supervisors from away at the McCleary House, our transitional housing unit which will be vacant this summer to allow for the completion of the upstairs bedroom renovation and construction of the exterior staircase. In addition to lodging, we’ll provide mileage reimbursement for travel between job sites as well as a meal stipend. For those who wish to waive lodging and the meal stipend (ie: a local), we can offer financial compensation for your services.
3 Volunteer Site Supervisors Needed
We’re seeking 3 Site Supervisors to assist with operations during the week of June 25th to July 1st. Site Supervisors will need to arrive by Sunday afternoon and can depart on either Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. During this week, we’re hosting 2 of our church partners who will be bringing about 80 total volunteers, consisting primarily of young adults (mostly high school students).
2 Volunteer Site Supervisors Needed
We’re seeking 2 Site Supervisors to assist with operations during the week of July 23rd to the 29th. Site Supervisors will need to arrive by Sunday afternoon and can depart on either Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. During this week, we’re hosting 2 of our church partners who will be bringing about 100 total volunteers, consisting of volunteers of all ages and abilities.
If you’re interested in serving as a Volunteer Site Supervisor and/or wish to learn more about the service opportunity, please contact our Executive Director, Chris DeLisle, by clicking on the button below.