“Community First is part oath and part rallying cry. It is both Mission history and Mission plan. A prayer and a promise.” Mission President John Zavodny shares when explaining how the phrase Community First was a central tenant of the Mission’s 2023 planning and listening sessions. The phrase also became the theme of this Fall/Winter Bulletin which hit mailboxes mid-month.
As part of this “Community First” focus, the Bulletin shares more about our partners including one of our longest standing partnerships with Sigma Kappa Sorority. The story shares more about our 100 plus year partnership and how that has evolved and changed. Alongside this story is a profile of a young fisherman on Isle au Haut and an introduction to Ann Backus, Director of Outreach Program at the Harvard Chan Education and Research Center for Occupational Health and Safety, who is working with islanders and fisherman to learn more about the risks they face on the water.
The Bulletin underwent a redesign to better reflect the work the Mission is doing, with more dynamic colors and design, the new Bulletin features community and partner profiles alongside a longer feature story, introductions to Mission people and more stories about our programs. These profiles help give a face and story to the people who both help the Mission and receive Mission services.
Your gift to the Maine Seacoast Mission makes you part of all we do.
In this new Bulletin, the Mission also brings readers to the newly updated and renovated Downeast Campus in Cherryfield. The changes to the campus began as conversations with community members a handful of years ago, after hearing from these stakeholders, the Mission started planning. Construction began in earnest last winter stretching into the spring.
The Bulletin walks readers through the changes made on the campus from the new Downeast Engagement Center to the pole-based challenge course to the new cabins down by the Weald Bethel Community Center. Along the way, community members share what the improvements have meant to them.
To read the full issue of the Bulletin visit Our Publications page.