Volunteers/Volunteer teams! Have you heard of “the happiness effect?” Yep! It happens when you volunteer. Studies show volunteering increases happiness, self-esteem and confidence, and creates greater satisfaction with your life! It also connects you to and builds up your community, provides help to your neighbors, and brings a sense of meaning to you and those you serve! Volunteering is also fun (just ask a volunteer!) and a great chance to hang out with other cool people and eat ice cream at Gifford's in Farmington!

We want YOU to experience the happiness effect by volunteering with us! Teams, available dates and applications are on the website MATE Housing Ministry Have questions or need to check a date? Email our Operations Manager, Dan Flint, at housing@missionattheeastward.org.

Application for repairs: If you need assistance with housing repairs, applications are available on the website or at locations in towns throughout the western central Maine area. For more information, email MATE at office@missionattheeastward.org or call (207)713-6283. Mail completed repair applications to: Mission at the Eastward, PO Box 206, Farmington, Maine 04938.

MATE Housing Ministry's Home Repair Intern will be an integral part of the home repair ministry. The position offers an opportunity to learn the functions of a home repair operation, and gain experience for a future in the home repair industry. The position is available from mid – May through mid – September. A position description and more information can be found on MATE's website: Home Repair Intern.

We are blessed with great Partners! This summer we have 12 teams coming to volunteer, so far (hurrah!), with openings for more. While some weeks are full, there are still available dates for teams to come to MATE. We would also LOVE to have more teams from the local Maine communities. There is plenty of important work to do!

Not part of a team? Email our Operations Manager, Dan Flint, at housing@missionattheeastward.org; he can help you find a team to join.

MATE Housing Ministry volunteers from our partner churches were at work again in February, further renovating McCleary House. Six volunteers from 3 churches worked on plumbing; flooring in the bathroom, kitchen, common room and ADA-compliant bedroom; and drywalling in preparation for painting. From the source: Dan Flint, MATE Operations Manager, says, "We now have a functioning bathroom."

After renovations are complete, MATE will collaborate with other non-profit organizations in the Farmington area to provide the services required by transitional housing guests. In addition, members of Fairbanks Union Church, one of MATE’s mission partners, along with other volunteers from the community and MATE, will provide hospitality to McCleary’s guests.

If you are interested in volunteering for hospitality with McCleary House guests later in 2022, please contact MATE at office@missionattheeastward.org. Live too far to volunteer? Donations to help maintain and operate McCleary are also needed. Donate using the button at the bottom of this newsletter or mail a check to P.O Box 206, Farmington, ME 04938. And, as always, thank you for your support!

We are excited about our 2022 volunteer work season and the overall vision for the future of MATE! We are busy at work searching for our new ED! Who will it be? Our search for a new Executive Director started with the Board updating our Strategic Plan Blueprint, which will guide the organization’s forward direction and define the qualities needed in a new Executive Director. With the Blueprint in place, we move to regular meetings of the Transition Team, a five-member team composed of representatives of the Board, the Farmington community, non-profits, and MATE staff and volunteers. We will keep you apprised as we continue our journey. More information about the process or the Executive Director position is available by emailing co-chairs Alan Dosset, alandossett@gmail.com, or Sharon Cowen, sbcowen@comcast.net.

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.