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| Last updated on January 17, 2008 |
A faith-based outreach to children, youth and families.
We welcome children, teens and adults of all backgrounds and abilities and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, disability, or sexual orientation.
Our Mission statement: As a reflection of our love for Jesus Christ, Joyful Harvest offers a safe place where children and teens discover and share support, love, stability and hope.
Our goals include:
*To create a richer pool of experiences from which to live.
*To provide opportunity that encourages the building of self-esteem.
*To provide a safe place where friendships can be nurtured.
*To provide opportunity that will encourage better communication within families
*To advocate for the needs of families and children within the community.
*To encourage and equip children to achieve their academic potential.
*To recognize and develop the leadership potential of youth.
*To support and nurture parents to care for themselves and their children
Description:
The Joyful Harvest Neighborhood Center is a program that since 1999 has served the children and youth of the Bacon Street neighborhood in Biddeford. We have a free drop in program for all children and youth from kindergarten through high school. Many of the children and teens we serve are challenged by economic, personal, or difficult family circumstances. Some struggle with learning disabilities. Free drop in after school programs, tutoring, summer camps are just a few of the many ways that Joyful Harvest serves the children and youth of this community.
In supporting the best life possible for youth, we also support Parents. These programs are provided by local agencies that support parenting skills. We not only provide space for these programs, but will sometimes provide child care during group meetings and workshops as we have found this is an important need in providing parenting programs.
A clothes closet and library are available to those taking part in all programs. Both are geared toward children. The children are allowed to pick one item of clothing each time they visit and parents are allowed to take what ever their child needs. Books are taken on trust and asked to return when done with no time limit. There are also a number of books that are used by students to assist with homework assignments such as dictionaries, nature and history books.
We also provide space for agencies in Southern Maine who do not have a site in this community so that they may provide services.
History:
Joyful Harvest Neighborhood Center had its beginnings as a seed American Baptist Church planted in 1995. With Rev Laura Holt-Haslam as pastor the meetings were first held in homes, then latter on Bacon St, Biddeford, ME in 1997. As the congregation felt called to work with the poor and broken of the city, work began to reach out to the community. By the fall of 1999, it became apparent that both church and community outreach could not be financially supported. After much prayer we came to the conclusion that we would be more effective as a Christian neighborhood center than as a church.
In 2001 Joyful Harvest reincorporated as a Neighborhood Center and became a 501(c)3 organization. At that time we also took Store Soup, a local food pantry, under our wing. For the next two years we grew and provided many services to the community. The two strongest activities were the food pantry which was Stone Soup and activities for children after-school and in the summer.
In May of 2003, we felt God’s leading to refocus our ministry and become two agencies. Stone Soup food pantry stayed on Bacon St where they are still today. Joyful Harvest Neighborhood Center moved to Water St where we focused on children’s programs during the after-school hours. During the next 3 years we grew to become a major safe place for community children. Programs included activities that brought enrichment of art, culture, health, faith and academics.
Though the space was a good location with space that allowed for us to grow, there were several reasons we needed to move. In the summer of 2006, after a long search we felt lead to a space right down the road. The new space was better laid out and would allow for staff to more safely monitor children, adapt furniture to activities and gave us access to a larger park. The move to the new location gave us higher visibility in the community, leading other service programs to network with us in using our space and has resulted in strengthening our after-school and summer programs.
Contact people:
Office fax number: (207) 286-9105
Address:
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32 - 34 Water Street, PO Box 447
Biddeford, ME 04005
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.joyfulharvestcenter.org
Directions:
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Coming from Main St., Saco: as you cross Saco Island we are to the left, bear left and we are one of the first buildings on the right.
From intersection of Route 1 and 111,(five points): Turn on to West. . . (more)
Nearest Bus Stop: Water and Main Streets, 0 minute walk |
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