Winter 2022
Empowering New Mainers as they rebuild their lives
Season’s greeting from MidCoast New Mainers Group!
We had a busy fall, spending much of our time together working towards the completion of a new strategic plan. As a result of this process, we initiated two new scholarship programs to address critical needs in the community. We also welcomed two new board members and bid a fond farewell board members Cathey Cyrus and Kevin McMahon. We are so grateful for their contributions and look forward to this next chapter of MCNMG.
Please read on for additional news and updates.
As always, thank you for your ongoing support.
– MCNMG Board of Directors
As a result of our recently completed strategic planning process, we have launched an initiative to address a specific need in the immigrant community: the need to be legally licensed with a thorough understanding of the rules of the road. Driving is a big step toward independence and critical to being able to get to work and post-secondary educational programs.
To that end, we are offering to pay 80% of the cost of a drivers ed program for both teens and adults. These classes are in high demand and cost almost $600. Our scholarship brings the cost of a drivers ed course down to something that families can afford; their contribution is also an investment in and a commitment to the program.
We have had over twenty individuals apply for the scholarship. Due to the backlog of students at Roy’s and other programs, there has been a delay in getting people started but three people are now enrolled and starting their classes this month.
Sarah Namwira, age 23, is from the city of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has lived in Bath, Maine, with her family since 2018. She is currently studying nursing at the University of Maine at Augusta and pursues her professional interest in the medical field by working at Midcoast Senior Health Center in Brunswick. I recently had the opportunity to meet with Sarah for a Q & A.
What do you love about your life?
I love being me. I am perfect the way I am. I know nobody is perfect, but I like the way I am because I am a masterpiece created by God. I have a beautiful family that supports me. I enjoy every moment that God gives me. I love my life.
Why do you do what you do?
I love what I do. Since I was a little girl, I’ve hoped to become a doctor. I was thinking about becoming a pediatrician. Love is at the top of my workload. That helps me get through my day and do what I do.
What do you want to change?
If I was able to change something, I would change the way people look at each other. I would change the way people judge each other and presume to know about each other. Each person should follow the right path [for them], which is not always easy to find. Don’t presume that this person should be like me. Even as Christians, we all have a different mission to proclaim the word of God. That’s how we should look at each other.
What is the strongest connection in your life?
I feel most strongly connected when I am able to share with somebody the word of Christ. It’s not easy for me to find this connection among friends here. When I imagine how the leaves are falling right now, in my head, instead of just thinking about the scientific way, I think about how great God is by creating that. I’m an old soul.
Welcome, new board members!
The Midcoast New Members Group welcomed two new board members in September. Vanessa Mayer joined the board in 2022 and is a member of the finance committee. She is the business manager for Now You’re Cooking and has served on the development committee at Patten Free Library. Vanessa has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She lives in Bath with her husband, two children, and their golden retriever. Having grown up in Bath, Vanessa is thrilled to share her love of this great community with new Mainers and assist in making their transition easier.
Raised in Philadelphia by recent immigrants, Diana Krauss first came to Maine to attend Colby, but left the state for a graduate degree at BU and a career in theater in various backstage positions. After returning to Maine, she embarked on a 30 year second career as a high school English teacher. Now as the Adult Literacy Services Coordinator at Midcoast Literacy, and a new member of this Board, she is able to combine her experience growing up as the child of immigrants aclimating to a new culture
with her love of language and be of service to Maine’s immigrant community.
Thank you, summer scholarship donors!
Thanks to generous support from our donors, seven children received scholarships to attend camp and recreational programs; these included: the Bath YMCA Camp, Chewonki, Camp Bishopswood in Hope, Maine, and the Brunswick Parks and Recreation summer program.
Additionally, MCNMG assisted families in applying to camp programs run by the Cathance River Educational Alliance and the Maine Maritime Museum Camp. Both organizations awarded full scholarships to several young campers.
After two difficult years of interrupted socialization and recreation, we are proud to have played a part in giving kids summer memories, skills, and new friendships. With your help, we will be able continue this program into the future. To donate, please visit mcnmg.org. Thank you!
Other News
Community needs survey completed
Bowdoin College junior Paulina Morales completed a survey concerning the needs of the local immigrant community as part of an internship with the Town of Brunswick this summer. She worked with the Welcome Center to research and identify systemic issues that impact immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees by conducting two surveys, one for service providers and the other (in the form of interviews and focus groups) for the New Mainers.
Data collected will be used to identify methods to make the Welcome Center more accessible, and it will be especially crucial in learning about the community’s needs. Additionally, the data and information gathered will be used as evidence for the Sewall Foundation’s Rapid Response Fund.
For more information, please visit the Welcome Center Outreach Program & Grant Request webpage.
“Inch by Inch, Row by Row…”*
It was another successful season of gardening in Bath and Brunswick. Odette Zouri and Janice Wright had many wonderful conversations while preparing and planting a plot in the community garden in Bath.
“We both learned from each other as we shared our experiences in gardening and life,” said Janice. “We planted amaranth, okra, beans, sweet potatoes, corn, some peppers and herbs. Most of it was very successful!”
Other families gardened at the Brunswick Land Trust raised beds at the Landing in Brunswick.
*The Garden Song by Dave Mallett
Get Involved!
Would you like to become a mentor and join a small team who are working with one family as they settle into their new life and community?
Are you interested in joining our diverse, active board of directors? Or would you like to join a committee to further our vision of a vibrant multicultural community?
To learn more, please contact us at
midcoastnewmainersgroup@gmail.com
Thank you for your interest in the MidCoast New Mainers Group!
We are so grateful for your continued support of our work.
