Our History
MidCoast New Mainers Group mobilizes local support to welcome immigrant families and foster intercultural connection across southern Midcoast Maine.
Vision: a vibrant and diverse community that is safe and welcoming
MidCoast New Mainers Group (MCNMG) came together in 2017 as an interfaith collaborative with Brunswick Area Interfaith Council (BAIC) serving as its fiscal agent. From 2017-2019, MCNMG worked with representatives of local faith communities and other community members and organizations to welcome and support the integration of about seven asylum seeker families into the Bath, Brunswick and Topsham communities. That work included providing security deposits, material support and help with connecting to schools, healthcare and other community resources.
With the unanticipated arrival in summer 2019 of families urgently and temporarily housed in Portland Expo, MCNMG joined other community partners and immigrant organizations to help settle more than 25 families in housing in Bath and Brunswick. Since 2019 MCNMG, has worked with The Emergency Action Network (TEAN) of Brunswick, local faith communities, community partners and individuals to connect families with resources for housing, food, clothing, health care, language learning, education, enrichment, employment training, immigration status legal assistance and ongoing cultural orientation and interpretation.
As new Mainers strive to become valued and contributing members in Maine communities,
changing U.S. policies and legal requirements regarding work permits and asylum seeker status have contributed to confusion, delay and discouragement among asylum seekers and volunteers alike. The New Mainers in our community have shown tremendous resilience in the face of these challenges. MCNMG continues to collaborate with community partners and immigrant organizations in the planning and settling of more immigrants locally as housing and other services become more coordinated and available.
At the same time, we strive to build appreciation of the value New Mainers bring to our communities. We look for ways to celebrate this new diversity by working with other area organizations to educate and raise awareness, bridging cultures to build community.
MCNMG is an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff. We could not do the work we do without the generous participation of so many people in our communities who serve as friends and mentors, Family Team members, drivers, Board and committee members.
MCNMG filed for and received non-profit (501c3) status in 2020.
