Impact
Founded in 1905, the Maine Seacoast Mission currently has 25 full-time and 90 part-time employees and benefits from the assistance of more than 500 volunteers. We have a $3.5 million annual budget, a $52 million endowment, and we raise $1.4 million annually for our programs.
Our island services programs strengthen communities on 10 unbridged islands east of Boothbay Harbor: Frenchboro, Swan’s Island, Isle au Haut, Great Cranberry, Islesford, Monhegan, Matinicus, Islesboro, Vinalhaven, and North Haven. Ninety percent of residents on those islands use the Mission’s services.
Based out of our 60-acre Downeast campus in Cherryfield, we operate a host of robust programs focused on education, food security, and direct support. In addition, our Christmas program gives gifts to children and adults on the mainland and islands, in homes, nursing facilities, and corrections facilities. For more than 700 students a year, we offer hope and opportunity through afterschool programs, leadership training, summer camps, family workshops, scholarships, and more.
To learn more, please view our 2023 impact statement. This document is available for download as well.
Adaptation During COVID
During the crisis of the recent pandemic, the Maine Seacoast Mission was able to meet the urgent needs in our communities. The Sunbeam crew provided vaccinations, essential health care and flu shot clinics; brought island residents together for online events; and stocked island food pantries by sea and by air. Our food stability programs provided curbside pick-ups and doorstep deliveries, serving an average of 600 people per month, almost double the number from 2019, and the number of free summer meals for students increased by 284%. We continued afterschool programs as much as safety allowed, and when afterschool programs weren’t possible, EdGE staff helped out during the school day.
We also worked hard to keep people connected. The Mission checked in by phone with 1,150 isolated families and individuals, arranging for help and resources as needed. Scholarship and college readiness programs worked remotely to keep students funded, connected, and supported. We moved activities online when necessary and provided in-home activity kits, and continued to mentor our scholarship students with emergency funds, outdoor home visits, and virtual meetings.
Read more about our Covid-19 response in our summer 2021 edition of The Bulletin.
Our work is your work, made possible by your generous gifts.
No matter how hard times get, the Mission will be there, helping sustain and strengthen families and communities. Please join us. Your donations bring warmth when it’s cold, shed light where it’s dark, and give strength when burdens grow heavy.
Contact us to donate, volunteer, or arrange for planned giving.
Directions and Parking Information
All guests are invited to park at Conners Emerson School on Eden Street in Bar Harbor. Oli’s Trolley will transport guests to and from the Gala. Metered parking is also available on West Street near Bar Harbor Club (at 111 West Street).
To the School from the west side of Mount Desert Island
- Turn onto ME-198 S/ME-3 W, 1.4 mile
- Turn left onto ME-233 E/Eagle Lake Rd, 5.8 mile
- Turn left, 0.1 mile
To the School from the head of Mount Desert Island
- Head southeast on ME-3, 10.0 mile
- Turn right onto Eagle Lake Rd, 187 feet
- Turn right, 0.1 mile
Trolleys will run 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., though we recommend you arrive early to enjoy the 5:00 p.m. cocktail hour. The program will start shortly after 6:00 p.m.
Following dinner and closing remarks, transportation will be available from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. to return guests to their vehicles.
