"October is a symphony of permanence and change."

– Bonaro W. Overstreet

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

• 2024 Home Repair Season Draws to a Close
• Completed Construction of the MATE Tiny Home
• Transformation of the MATE Barn & Workspace
• October MATE Golden Hammer Award Recipient: Lucas Chancey

As we reflect on the accomplishments of 2024, we're proud to share the impactful work completed by our operations team and dedicated volunteers. This year, we conducted repairs on 52 homes, making a meaningful difference for 104 of our neighbors (a 15.6% increase from 2023).

Of the 52 homes we serviced, we completed 100 different repair projects, which included:

• Deck & Stair Replacement to Allow for Safe Access in and out of Homes: 23
• ADA Ramps Constructed: 4
• Doors Replaced: 8
• Windows Replaced to Increase Heating Retention: 4
• Roofs Repaired/Replaced: 18
• Soft Floors Repaired to Prevent Safety Hazards: 5
• Shower Replacement: 2
• Toilets Installed: 1
• Drywall Repair/Replacement: 9
• Exterior Painting to Prevent Rotting: 15
• Siding Repair/Replacement: 6
• Mobile Home Skirting Repair/Replacement: 5

Our projects spanned across 16 towns in Franklin, Somerset, and Kennebec counties, providing safe and secure housing to those in-need. A significant portion of the households we served reported incomes below $20,000, with nearly 80% of those we served being elderly individuals, and 49.1% of the households reporting at least one family member with a disability. This underscores the importance of our work in supporting the most vulnerable members of our communities.

Thanks to our amazing network of 285 volunteers, including 16 churches, who provided life-changing experiences to a growing number of our neighbors in Central Western Maine! As we look forward to 2025, we remain committed to continuing our mission of improving homes and lives. Thank you to everyone who has made this work possible—your generosity and dedication fuel our ability to serve.

Another major accomplishment of the 2024 MATE Home Repair season was completing the build-out of MATE's Tiny Home, which has been an ongoing effort now for a couple of years.

The MATE Tiny Home currently sits across from the Fairbanks Union Church as we wait for the completion of the utility box hook-up by a Maine Certified Electrician. After this, the MATE Tiny Home will be used as an innovative and affordable housing solution to someone experiencing housing insecurity.

Thank you to all those who made the construction of the MATE Tiny Home a reality: the volunteers and staff who provided the labor, the donors who contributed to funding the build-out, and notably, to the Synod of the Northeast who provided a generous grant that enabled us to get this project off-the-ground!

One of the major accomplishments of this home repair season was the complete transformation of the "MATE Operational Headquarters" (the barn attached to the McCleary House) into a highly organized setting that closely resembles a hardware store. This has drastically enhanced our operational efficiency as it has allowed both MATE staff and volunteers to locate needed tools and materials in a more timely and convenient manner. It has also allowed our operations staff to conduct a thorough inventory on our tools and supplies to determine what we will need to be better prepared for next season and going forward.

We couldn't have accomplished this feat without the dedicated efforts of one of our board members, Michael Malek, who spent countless hours in the barn tinkering away and transforming the space into an organized headquarters that will allow us to help an increasing number of our neighbors with receiving the critical repairs that they need. Thank you Michael and to all those that helped in this critical transformation of the MATE workspace, including the Tejas Corporation who donated all of the shelving that made this possible!

Lucas Chancey, a former attendee of Camp at the Eastward, began developing his work ethic at a young age. His parents taught him that being part of a family meant that there was work to do; eventually he was responsible for mowing the lawn, snow blowing and shoveling, doing his own laundry, taking care of the family chickens and stacking the family firewood with his brother.

Later, these odd jobs at home turned into odd jobs in the neighborhood. Lucas has been gifted with kindness, generosity and strength; so when help is needed, those who know Lucas best know to give him a call because of his willingness to lend a hand.

Lucas worked for several years on a couple of family farms. His favorite job was at Birds of a Feather Emu Farm. The farm owners, Richard and Rita Merrow, helped him to mature as a worker and also helped him grow his faith.

This summer, tired of piecing together odd jobs, Lucas was looking for full-time employment. While he was applying to different jobs, he volunteered at Mission at the Eastwood until he found full-time work. The 3 weeks Lucas spent working at MATE was as uplifting for him as it was to the people he served in the community.

In his time at MATE, he assisted board member Michael Malek in the transformation of the MATE headquarters. Lucas was persistent and diligent in his enthusiastic effort to help others. He was always engaging and friendly with MATE staff and fellow volunteers. Lucas would always bring energy and a high level of motivation for making things happen and was an extremely productive worker in his time at MATE this summer.

We could not be more thankful for all your help, Lucas!

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*