by maineseacoast | Jul 9, 2020 | Downeast Campus, Downeast Maine Tiny House Project, Housing Rehabilitation, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Thank You Thursday, Weald Bethel Community Center
CHERRYFIELD, ME — “Lee Watrous is our all star volunteer/contractor from Gales Ferry CT,” said Housing Rehabilitation Program Manager Scott Shaw in an email about the Downeast Maine Tiny House Project. “Lee has agreed to help us out with the project,” said Scott. Lee is now working on the tiny house at Assabet Valley Regional High School, finishing and preparing the house for transporting to Milbridge, ME. “Lee also offered to work on the home in Milbridge,” said Scott.
Mission fans may remember Lee Watrous and his volunteer work crew in 2018 when they finished the Final Phase of expanding and modernizing the Weald Bethel Community Center. The finished building included a commercial-grade community kitchen, additional dormitory space for Housing Rehabilitation Program volunteers, new EdGE classroom space, and space for weekly community functions.
And for Lee’s work on making Housing Rehab Program area homes safe and warm, one homeowner said, “Absolutely nothing will stop the progress of a job site when Lee Watrous and crew are volunteering with the Mission’s Housing Rehab Program.”
Downeast Campus Director of Service Programs Wendy Harrington called Lee Watrous, “Super Volunteer.”
This is what community looks like.
by maineseacoast | Jul 2, 2020 | Downeast Maine Tiny House Project, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Scott Shaw
Hanging sheetrock inside the Downeast Maine tiny house.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — The Downeast Maine Tiny House Project, after a several month hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions, is back on track.
The house, which will be owned by a disabled military Veteran, was in its first phase of construction at Assabet Valley Regional High School in Massachusetts. After students under the direction of Lead Teacher of House Carpentry Bill Italiano made the tiny house ready to travel, the next step was to drive the house to its lot in Milbridge, set the house on its foundation, and finish the home for occupancy.
Enter Covid-19. Assabet Valley Regional HS was closed, students were sent home, then the school year ended. Months passed. Finally, Bill Italiano was given permission to re-enter the school. Using his own vacation time, Bill started completing the work necessary for the tiny house to travel to Maine. He was later joined by former student James Watkins, and Bill’s friend, Jack O’Brien. Lee Watrous, a wonderful Housing Rehabilitation Program volunteer, is now also on site at the HS finishing up the interior sheet-rocking.
The goal is to have the home in Milbridge by late July. A million thanks to Bill Italiano, Lee Watrous, and all of the volunteers who put this very worthwhile project back on track. The Downeast Maine Tiny House Project is a joint effort by CF Adams Foundation, Maine Seacoast Mission, Downeast Community Partners, and volunteers. News updates to be added to the Downeast Maine Tiny House Project blog.
by maineseacoast | Mar 12, 2020 | Downeast Maine Tiny House Project, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Scott Shaw
CHERRYFIELD, ME — Winter in Maine changed the pace of the Downeast Maine Tiny House Project. While the pace slowed, it never stood still.
The Tiny House Project blog just posted an update with videos from the carpentry class at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School at work. In this video, Sophomore students are installing dry wall and final courses of roof shingles.
Full story.
by maineseacoast | Jan 30, 2020 | Downeast Maine Tiny House Project, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Scott Shaw
Downeast Maine Tiny House Project foundation.
Downeast Maine Tiny House Project Blog
January 29, 2020 – by Sue Unger
CHERRYFIELD, ME — We’re hard at work on our Downeast Maine Tiny House Project. Maine Seacoast Mission’s Scott Shaw is busy keeping the job-site clean and clear of snow. The veteran receiving this tiny house is also working hard to keep the site clear.
Assabet students are diligently working on the house in Massachusetts.
We are still looking for more sponsors. If you’re interested in teaming up with a great group of partners, please contact Scott Shaw or Bobbi Ann Harris. We welcome materials or funds. This house is possible thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our sponsors, and the donated time from many of our contractors.
Full story
by maineseacoast | Jan 2, 2020 | Downeast Campus, Downeast Maine Tiny House Project, EdGE, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Weald Bethel Community Center
A few of the many talented, creative, and hardworking volunteers with our Housing Rehabilitation Program.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — We asked Mission Director of Service Programs Wendy Harrington for her short list of 2019 highlights among the Downeast Campus programs and activities, as well as, what we can look for at the Downeast Campus in year 2020. A key 2019 accomplishment was the completion of the Downeast Campus Strategic Plan which you’ll be hearing more about in the coming months.
2019 Highlights
- Completed Downeast Campus Strategic Plan.
- Launched the Downeast Maine Tiny House Project.
- Launched the Good Neighbor Fund – a financial assistance program for EdGE Families – and began working with families to advance their goals.
- Continued to advance our programs combating childhood hunger through EdGE schools, Farm Share, weekend backpack program, and summer meals.
2020 Vision
- Continue Housing Rehabilitation and weatherization work with Downeast Community Partners and explore new opportunities with them to further address housing issues.
- Complete initial Downeast Maine Tiny House project within the first quarter of 2020.
- Build on the strengths of established programs to offer more integrated support for EdGE families and others, using a multi-generational approach and a Family Food Center model of coordinating resources to advance positive change.
- Convene Community Circles, advisory groups of community members and program participants, to help develop our family engagement programming and the Family Food Center model.
Stay up-to-date on our Downeast Community Campus work on the Mission blog and our social media pages.
by maineseacoast | Dec 2, 2019 | Downeast Maine Tiny House Project, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Scott Shaw
Downeast Maine Tiny House Project foundation.
CHERRYFIELD, ME — The Downeast Maine Tiny House Project foundation in Milbridge is complete. John Goodwin is amazing and has gone above and beyond for all of the site work and working with the other contractor timelines. Now, the foundation needs to be protected from the foul weather until the Tiny House home is delivered. A carpenter will arrive this weekend and enclose the exposed foundation. The future military veteran homeowner, Ryan, agreed to keep the foundation clear of snow shove.
I will keep the property plowed out and clear for when the crane and trailer arrive. This pilot project was way above our original scope. We have learned so much from the process. The next one will be a piece of cake!
Written by Mission Housing Rehabilitation Manager Scott Shaw
