Economic Justice
Hear and Respond Project
Throughout 2009 MCC's Dolores Vail gathered clergy, outreach workers, church members, and volunteers in communities across Maine to hear what programs and strategies they are using to assist those in greatest need in their communities. Dolores has collected her findings into the following summary of responses to the increasing needs. For more details on these programs and ideas, you can contact Dolores at 772-1918 or at dvail@mainecouncilofchurches.org
- Farmington Area Ecumenical Association: The Warming Center
Collaboration is the key to success! The Henderson Memorial Baptist Church was the leader in establishing the warming center, open two days a week – Tuesday and Thursday- from 10 -4 to any in the community who wanted to come, enjoy fellowship and a meal and keep warm. The Seniors Plus, the Area Agency on Aging provided meals for the group. The Baptist Church opened the center by hosting in January, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church hosted in February, And Old South Congregational Church hosted in March. It became an important opportunity for people to get out in winter, interact with others, get a meal, and stay warm. Other agencies came forth with games, puzzles, and materials for crafts. Volunteers stepped forth to help, join and get to know others in their community, and provide help with crafts. For more information contact Rev. Susan Crane at Henerson Memorial Baptist Church: 778-2163 or cranewolcott@myfairpoint.net.
For communities considering this model, a helpful document was compiled by the United Way of the Tri-Valley area: "So. . .You Might Want to Start a Warming Center in Your Community."
- Bath UCC: The Good Samaritan Mission Committee
The Good Samaritan Mission Committee took over the Pastors Discretionary Fund a few years ago. The Committee is organized into two person groups (3) who take turns taking calls that come into the church asking for help. They talk to the individual on the phone to find out what the need is and often direct them to other services such as the food pantry or clothes closet. In case more help is needed they meet with the person of persons to establish the need and to explore what is needed. They find that with two persons listening it works best because it gives two opinions. This has worked very well with a good success rate. They have found that donations are forthcoming when it looks like there is the need for more. In the years since the Committee was established the donations have gone from about $1200 to $1500 to $12 – $15,000. They need more volunteers to help reduce the work load of the three groups and are reaching out to the wider community to recruit possible volunteers.
Volunteers from the area churches were responsible for raising $50,000 for the fuel fund which is administered by the Belfast United Methodist Church. The volunteers figured out how much they would need based on the previous year’s request and a projection of greater need for the following year and came up with the figure of more than $40,000. Planning meetings started in April where they decided on a large community event held in Belfast. A special event including community, businesses, and church involvement raised $6000. Churches, groups, and individuals raised funds as well. Communities were also asked to contribute in proportion to the help they received. For more information on how they carried out their plans and activities contact Dolores Vail dvail@mainecouncilofchurches.org.
•· York Food Pantry/ Falmouth Food Pantry
As Falmouth was preparing for opening the first formal food pantry, they contacted the town who had just vacated the public service portion or town hall in favor of the new police station and new facilities for the Fire Department. Their request was to have a portion set aside for a new food pantry. The town agreed also offered to include the pantry on their insurance. Falmouth was up and running as boy scouts, girl scouts, the towns churches, Lions Club and many individuals volunteered to help out. The directors are very good at keeping the needs of the pantry before the community and the community responds very well. As they were preparing to take over the space, directors of the pantry met with people who have been running a pantry for quite a few years in York. York was generous in sharing their rules, regulations, and experience with Falmouth which gave them a big boost in setting up the new pantry in Falmouth.
- Saco/Biddeford Ministers Association: Breakfast Meetings Twice a Month, Biddeford Resource Group, Window Insulation
The area ministers meet the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month with no particular agenda but to keep in touch with one another and to share events at their churches. They meet at different restaurants in their communities at 7:30 a.m. One of the ministers contacts the group to send emailsinforming them where the group will be meeting.
The Biddeford Resource Group is made up of churches, those who provide services such as counseling, help for the elderly, Family assistance ,etc. It is a good way to meet and get to know the people involved and the services they provide and saves time for busy ministers.
Window insulation is a program promoted by the Unitarian Universalist Church in Saco. One person makes the framework and the rest is put together by volunteers. They need more who can do the frameworks in order to expand their project to more in the community. These pieces are made to fit inside window openings and help to keep the cold air out in the winter.
We can end homelessness for women in Maine now.
Preble Street has 3 new video public service announcements launching the Home for Good campaign, featuring Maine women -- including MCC Executive Director, Jill Job Saxby. Join us in spreading this message of hope for women. Share the link with others and learn more about ending homelessness in Maine at www.preblestreet.org.
General Assistance Resource Cards
Navigating the General Assistance Program in Maine can be a challenge for anyone. Pastors and congregations can help those in need by providing the clear information on these resource cards, and by serving as advocates to ensure applicants are treated fairly.
This PDF file of 3 cards per page is designed to allow churches to reproduce these double-sided cards to easily distribute this information to members of the community.