Maine Academy of Modern Music and EdGE – Free Online Music Lessons
Nursing Home Residents Receive EdGE Christmas Cards
CHERRYFIELD, ME – Mission Family and Community Resource Coordinator Stephanie Moores thought the school children she works with through the Mission EdGE Program might enjoy making Christmas Cards for elderly neighbors living nearby in the Narraguagus Nursing Home. So, Stephanie invited the children, and their families, to make Christmas cards as December’s Family Engagement project.
The results? Stephanie said, “I delivered over 50 cards to the nursing home. Some made during EdGE school programs, and some by EdGE families.” In photo included here, said Stephanie, EdGE student, Alan, “is filling out his Christmas cards. He said he ‘enjoyed spending time with my family, thinking about good wishes for people.'”
Ornament Honoring Wendy Harrington
NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — Honoring someone is recognizing their value to the world and to us. This holiday season the Mission is offering supporters a heartfelt way to honor people in their lives.
From now until Christmas, for a small donation the names of people honored will be handwritten on Mission holiday ornaments, and displayed on the Colket Center Christmas tree in Northeast Harbor.
These photos show the Mission ornament honoring Director of Service Programs and Scholarship Coordinator Wendy Harrington.
Wendy joined the Mission in 2002. She and her husband, Charlie, helped create the EdGE Program. Wendy was also instrumental in the Mission food security programs, housing rehabilitation, and community events at the Mission Community Center.
In the Mission’s May 2021 eNewsletter, Wendy said, “My work was, and is, centered on families and community and the belief that children thrive when they have the support of the people around them.”
It is an honor to both know and work with Wendy Harrington.
Who in your life would you like to honor? Click here.
High Praise for EdGE Staff Members
CHERRYFIELD, ME – EdGE Director Isaac Marnik, and Downeast Director Mel Adams, had high praise this week for the several full-time EdGE staff members who shouldered the added work of running EdGE after-school programs. Without them, said Isaac, the after-school programs could not have stayed open.
“We are open at all seven school locations. We had 333 students attend at least one day of an EdGE after-school program,” said Isaac.
Mel Adams said the EdGE staff really leveraged all their mental, physical, emotional energy to ensure that EdGE continued on throughout this time period. “Thank you can never be enough,” he said.
Interested in engaging youth at our after-school program? Jobs are open for EdGE after-school staff in Machias and Harrington! Plus, the Mission offers a $100 sign-on bonus after 60 days. New staffers will lead activities, oversee groups of children, and work alongside EdGE site coordinators.
“We hope to have another good month of programming going forward,” said Isaac.
D.W. Merritt’s EdGE Student of the Month
ADDISON, ME — Mission Family and Community Resource Coordinator Stephanie Moores brings us intriguing news from D.W. Merritt Elementary in Addison, ME.
“We have started a student of the month award at the D.W. Merritt EdGE program. William Roberts, pictured here, is our October recipient. William is always the first to offer help to the staff and students. He is a wonderful role model for all,” said Stephanie.
Well done, William. And thank you, Stephanie. We look forward to hearing about future students of the month.
Mission Celebrates First-Generation College Students
NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — November 8th marks the annual National First-Generation College Celebration to honor students who will be the first members of their families to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. The day falls on the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. It is sponsored by two organizations: The Center for First Generation Student Success is a national research and advocacy organization. The Council for Opportunity in Education is a national advocacy organization that expands higher education opportunity for historically under-served students.
For decades, Maine Seacoast Mission has demonstrated support for students transitioning to and through college. Each year, we work with, learn from, and celebrate many Washington County and Eastern Hancock County first-gen students through our Mission Scholarship program and – beginning this year – our Davis Maine Scholarship program.
The Center for First Generation Student Success research on first-gen college students shows that nationally, in their first year of college, while 65 percent of first-gen students engage financial aid services, when it come to accessing other vital support services:
14% access health services
55% access academic advising
30% access additional academic support services such as tutoring
16% access career services
This data underscores the importance of the mentoring we provide, beginning early with EdGE, Journey, and island education initiatives, through college and career initiatives with our high school and college students. Helping students find their voices, advocate for themselves, and access opportunities and resources is vital for their college success and hopeful futures.
Congratulations, Mission first-gen students and families! We see you, believe in you, and are with you this day and all days!