Mission at the Eastward

A founding principle of Mission at the Eastward is social witness to the local community and beyond. From its earliest days, when the National Presbyterian Board of Sunday School Missions sent missioners to communities without churches to organize Vacation Bible Schools, Sunday Schools and school-based reading programs, MATE has had a strong social witness in their communities. Past ministries include Camp at the Eastward and a South Africa Partnership with churches in the Tyhume Valley in South Africa. Today MATE's primary focus is on housing insecurity in Franklin, Somerset and Androscoggin Counties.

Mission at the Eastward currently has two main outreach ministries.

MATE Housing Ministry (MHM) provides housing repairs for those in the community who would otherwise not be able to physically do so or financially be able to afford the repairs. Through the use of volunteers, we enable the elderly and persons with disabilities to stay in their homes, as well as safety and healthy living conditions for families of low income. 

McCleary House, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2022, will be a transitional housing residence for a family or individual who is homeless. MATE will operate McCleary House in cooperation with local social service agencies and community partners to help these folks move back to having permanent housing.