Our original goal was to fund, renovate and outfit McCleary House for transitional housing so that we could house a family or individual by fall 2021. We have made much progress towards our goal. However, like many other organizations, we have been greatly impacted by the pandemic, supply chain issues, rising costs of building materials and lack thereof, fewer volunteer work teams, and the inability to hire skilled insured certified tradesman when needed for certain portions of the renovation. Due to that limited availability of contractors, we are waiting in line to get services from those who already have busy schedules. These factors have slowed the renovation and altered our timeline of the project.

On the other hand, we have exceeded our funding goal for McCleary with the recent grant award of $80,000 from Presbyterian Women (PCUSA). This is wonderful because with COVID, the cost of some building materials has doubled or tripled over the last year. Recently, we have seen some declining prices, depending on the item, returning to costs closer to pre-COVID levels. This is good for our work and budget. We are also using some repurposed materials/wood, when available and appropriate, to defray costs.

items on our Amazon wish list to complete the outfitting. See the MATE website, https://missionattheeastward.org/mccleary-house/ for more information on the project or to link to items on the Amazon wish list. You will find "donating an item" linking to the Amazon list by scrolling down the McCleary House information page.

To date, we have done the demolition of the house, replaced windows and some doors, widened doorways to accommodate wheelchairs, put up new walls and drywall, completed much of the electrical work, started plumbing and completed septic work. In the past 6 months, MATE has also been able to install the heating and hot water system provided by the UW/LEAP explosion grant, updated or installed electrical and plumbing systems, and waterproofed the basement where the heating and hot water is located.

In November, we are installing wood trim baseboards so that our Operations Manager and a volunteer, along with a licensed local heating contractor, can install the baseboard heating except for the ADA/disability-friendly bathroom and kitchen and the family bath. We are waiting on contractors to do the final weatherization and insulation for the house. As of mid-December, we should have heat in the house and hopefully most of the insulation and weatherization completed.

In spring and summer 2022, volunteers will finish Phase II - the upstairs bunk room and storage area, more insulation, egress with the small deck and stairs outside, and the heating and cooling. Teams will also complete the downstairs ADA bath, family bath, the kitchen and dining area, and the laundry area. This will be followed by painting, roof fixes, landscaping, fencing, and creating a firepit area outside.

With a celebration for her ministry and loads of tears, MATE said good bye to Executive Director Rev. Thea Kornelius after 4 years. We wish Thea God speed as she becomes Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Elgin, Illinois. Thank you, Thea!

A search committee will be formed by the Board of Directors to hire a new MATE Executive Director. Stay tuned!

Thanks to the grant-writing prowess of former Executive Director Thea Kornelius and Board Chair Karen Hagy, as well as the interest and support of Presbyterian Women, MATE received a generous grant award of $80,000 from PW, announced in October. The money will be used to finish the renovation of McCleary House.

GivingTuesday is a global movement to encourage people to give, collaborate and celebrate. The official date this year is November 30, but every day can be a giving day. If you are looking for a community organization to support on GivingTuesday, please consider MATE. You can donate through the button below. As always, we thank you.

Check out the website http://www.newenglandglow.org/ and the public New England GLOW Facebook page.If you have any questions please contact New England GLOW.

Anonymous donors through the Maine Community Foundation

First Presbyterian Church of Springfield NJ

The Dover Church, UCC, MA

First Presbyterian Church of Dutch Neck, NJ

New Portland Community Church, ME

Fairbanks Union Church, ME

Church of the Covenant, Boston MA

First Congregational Church of North Anson, ME

Hildale Park Presbyterian Church, NJ

Marturia Presbyterian Church, NH

Leeds Community Church, ME

Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, PA

Topsham United Presbyterian Church, VT

Bedford Presbyterian Church, NH

First Presbyterian Church of Ramsey, NJ

Hartford Community Presbyterian Church, ME

Presbyterian Church in Sudbury, MA

First Presbyterian Church of Antrim, NH

Camp Hill Presbyterian Church, PA

Flemington Presbyterian Church, NJ

Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, PA

St Josephs and St Rose of Lima parishes in Farmington and Jay, ME

Grace Community Boston, MA

Higganum and Haddam UCC Churches, CT

The Presbyterian Church in Burlington, MA

Allentown Presbyterian Church, NJ

Rev. Blair Moffett

Lowe's

ReFrame

June Lee in honor of Rev. Thea Kornelius

Anonymous gift from a Farmington community member

MATE Board of Directors gift for McCleary House in honor of Rev. Thea Kornelius