MAINE SEA COAST MISSIONARY SOCIETY
Bar Harbor, Maine
The Maine Sea Coast Mission was founded in 1905, by two brothers, who were ministers at the Congregational churches in Bar Harbor and Seal Harbor, Maine. It was created to serve a wide variety of needs of islands off the coast of Maine and in coastal communities in Downeast Maine. It has remained true to this mission for over 100 years.
Today, the Mission serves the islands and Downeast coastal communities through the following programs: Youth Development, including scholarships and the EDGE, an award winning in school, after school, and summer program in Downeast Maine; and Island Health Services providing access to high quality health care to islanders through a nurse on the Mission’s ship, the Sunbeam V and through the use of the latest telehealth technology where islanders can have access to medical specialists while on the Sunbeam V.
In addition, the Mission provides Direct services to people in need through food pantries on islands and Downeast Maine, a thrift shop, emergency financial assistance, housing repairs for low income families, and a senior companion program; and Ministry whereby a chaplain on the Sunbeam V provides spiritual support and church services for islanders on the more isolated island. Churches on four other islands receive substantial financial support from the Mission enabling them to remain open serving their island communities throughout the year. The Mission’s Christmas Program also provides about 15,000 presents to over 3,000 children, families and elderly each year.
The Mission is dependent upon the generous contributions of individuals and churches to fund its programs. These contributions are intended not only to respond to immediate needs, but also to provide long term solutions to poverty and the social ills that frequently accompany poverty. For example, youth development programs are intended to provide young people with aspirations and opportunities that will increase their likelihood for success and to be good citizens and leaders in their community.
Website: www.seacoastmission.org
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