by maineseacoast | Aug 18, 2020 | Downeast Maine Tiny House Project, Housing Rehabilitation, John Zavodny, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Scott Shaw
L-to-R: DCP Development Associate Megan R. Hayes, Bobbi Harris (DCP), Mission President John Zavodny, DCP Operations Manager Dale Basher, and Scott Shaw (Mission)
MILBRIDGE, ME — On a misty Monday morning, August 3, a tall yellow crane is suspending a new tiny house in mid-air while carpenters guide the building onto its cement foundation. Four years ago this tiny house was an idea sketched on a paper napkin. The idea grew, and attracted support from four partner organizations, several sponsors, and many volunteers.
Partner organizations Downeast Community Partners (DCP) and Maine Seacoast Mission were already working together — with volunteers — through the Mission’s Housing Rehabilitation Program to make homes in Downeast Maine safe and warm through home repairs and home insulating.
Neither DCP nor the Mission had ever tackled a tiny house. But perhaps tiny houses could serve as a new way to provide safe, warm housing to the elderly, low-income individuals and families, and military Veterans?
Word reached Mission Housing Rehab Program Manager Scott Shaw that a Washington County disabled military Veteran named Ryan needed a place to live. Ryan’s situation was a perfect reason to build a tiny house.
Full story, videos, and photos at Downeast Maine Tiny House Project’s Blog.
by maineseacoast | Aug 3, 2020 | Downeast Maine Tiny House Project, Housing Rehabilitation, John Zavodny, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Scott Shaw
MILBRIDGE, ME — August 3, 2020 was a banner day. The Downeast Tiny House was placed on its foundation. The work and love of many people paid off. Full story, photos, and video coming soon. https://www.downeastmainetinyhouseproject.com/ — in Milbridge, Maine.
by maineseacoast | Jul 21, 2020 | Downeast Maine Tiny House Project, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Scott Shaw
CHERRYFIELD, ME — Scott Shaw, Maine Seacoast Mission’s Housing Rehabilitation Manager, is a partner with the Downeast Maine Tiny House Project. Thank you, Scott, for this update and photo:
Check out the great post by Bob Washburn at Essex Bay Cabinetry, Georgetown, MA. He has been a volunteer with the Mission Housing Rehab Program for years. Bob has built and donated all of the kitchens in our past mobile home rehab projects.
When I asked if he and his business partner would be willing to build the kitchen for the Downeast Maine Tiny House, there was no hesitation. He just answered “Absolutely.”
Visit the Downeast Maine Tiny House Project Blog.
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 | Jun 11, 2020 | COVID-19 Updates, Downeast Campus, Food Pantry, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Scott Shaw
BAR HARBOR, ME — It’s Thank you Thursday and today’s shout out of Mission Love goes to Shaw’s and Walmart in the City of Ellsworth. Both stores continue increasing their donations of fresh, nutritious food to keep pace with the increase in demand at the Mission’s Food Pantry. Walmart and Shaw’s meats, dairy, and other foods are always appreciated at the Food Pantry.
“They have made a big impact on us,” said Mission Downeast Facilities Manager Scott Shaw. “We’ve seen a 100-percent increase in Food Pantry use. Walmart and Shaw’s significantly increased their donations after the coronavirus pandemic started.” So much so, said Scott, he’s had to use a bigger truck with more helpers loading boxes when picking up donations from the two Ellsworth stores.
Walmart’s Feeding America program, and Shaw’s Nourishing Neighbors program are helping many people, many families.
This is what community looks like.
by maineseacoast | Jun 5, 2020 | Downeast Campus, Food Pantry, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Scott Shaw
CHERRYFIELD, ME — Scott Shaw, Mission Downeast Campus Facilities Manager, earlier this week emailed a photo of a welcome sight in the back of a Mission delivery truck.
“Received big donations of meat, produce and bread this morning from Shaw’s and Walmart. Should be well stocked on everything for this coming week,” said Scott.
Learn more about the Mission Food Pantry.
