Wreath Season in Downeast Maine

This fall and winter, the Mano en Manos Access to Essential Services team was busy welcoming wreath workers and their families to Downeast Maine.

Warm clothing and blankets set up to at a Welcome and Resource Fair

Every fall and winter, the population of Downeast Maine expands with the arrival of wreath workers and their families, who arrive to the area to harvest pine products and make wreaths that adorn homes across the country. Mano en Mano works to ensure that folks arriving in the area have the essential resources they need to stay safe and healthy.

In order to connect with workers, our team worked from September into December organizing mobile welcome and resource fairs. These fairs were designed to welcome folks to our community and connect them to resources and services they may need.

In total Mano organized 4 site based resource fairs and multiple mobile fairs at workers housing and sites of employment.  Thanks to community members, volunteers, and partner organizations our team was able to connect with more than 1,700 people at the fairs, and distributed about 79,600 pounds of culturally nourishing food including fresh produce, meat, and non-perishable items.

At the fairs, folks in attendance were given resource bags with information about local resources, contact info, and ‘Know your Rights Information’ in order to better self advocate. Our team supported workers applying for the Food and Farmworker Relief Fund, and connected folks to resources in the areas of education, health, legal, and other social supports.   We also distributed culturally relevant food, warm clothing, shoes and blankets to keep folks warm over the cold winter months.

This winter, our team saw an increase in the number of people arriving to the area in need of support. Access to Essential Services Director Laura Thomas says, 

“…Making sure our community stays warm this winter is a major focus of mine right now. We want workers and their families to know that Washington County and Maine values their presence and looks forward to their return every year.  Resources like warm clothing, food and transportation are essential to keeping folks healthy and safe.”

Welcome and Resource Centers are just the beginning. After the centers close, Mano en Mano staff follow up on all the individual needs requested (including support scheduling medical appointments, access to legal advice, etc.), and build relationships so that everyone has the support they need while in the area. Thanks to the connections we made at the centers, workers have felt comfortable reaching out for support in critical moments.  

Mano en Mano continues to operate as a drop-in resource center that folks can access year-round. By welcoming people into our community and making sure they have the resources they need, we work towards creating a more vibrant, stronger and healthier Maine.  

We want to extend a thank-you to our community, partner organizations and donors who made this work possible.  

If you would like to support wreath workers and their families this winter, please consider donating today.