Adopt-A-Block catches on

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
NEIGHBORLY BLOCK — Erica McPherson with son Joseph Woodie and daughter Mallory Woodie says the Adopt-A-Block program has been a help to her as a single mother. Her block was adopted by Military St. Baptist Church one year ago.
After one year, concept expands
By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Pastor Randall Burns said he and members of the Military St. Baptist Church were asking God what they “could do more to get outside of the building and be the church in the community.” Well, God answered their questions and their prayers.
    Last week church members celebrated the one-year anniversary of their Adopt-A-Block program. Every third Saturday of the month, volunteers call on residents of the church’s adopted block to deliver any number of items from food and home baked goods to household supplies and toiletries.
    Now with street signs that say ‘This is an Adopt-A-Block Neighborhood,’ Burns explained it’s “a culmination of a year’s commitment. We have had a faithful troupe who have been coming into the neighborhood to say that we care.”
A dream and a prayer
    A little more than a year ago, his church’s mission group traveled to Los Angeles and was inspired by a visit to the Dream Center — a national organization with an outreach ministry to meet tangible and spiritual needs.
    Back in Houlton, Burns said the program tells residents that “We care about them and their life situation.”  “We have supplied basic goods to people who may not have enough,” said Burns who elaborated on what the program does. He described that residents received food, diapers, beds and even plumbing for a resident who did not have it for five years. “We helped to get a roof made for a house where it was leaking every time it rained or snowed. So we have had tangible, practical aspects of help for people.”
    Tammy Goetsch, the church’s executive administrative assistant, said celebrating a one-year anniversary made her want to cry. “We get so blessed going out and we have grown to love the people on the block. And, I think they would say the same about us. We see them around town. We help them with babysitting or whatever it is. And, it’s a validation that this is going to work.” She added that during the most recent Saturday visit, about half of the 30-35 volunteers were teenagers.
    Church member Nanette Mills is an active volunteer in the program who visits families with her daughters Haven Rhoda and Sierra Rhoda. “They love it. They love to help people and play with the children.” Her younger daughter Sierra said: “It means everything, really because we are helping.”
    Sierra is especially close to Erica McPherson’s two children Mallory Woodie and Joseph Woodie. McPherson said “as a single mom, it’s a big help.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY —  Military St. Baptist Church celebrated the first anniversary of its Adopt-A-Block program last week. Volunteers visit their adopted block to see how neighbors are doing and to deliver food or other items they might need to make life a little easier. From left are: Lt. Dan Pelletier, Robert Monfils, Rev. Randall Burns, Lori Hovey, Mallory Woodie and Sierra Rhoda in front of Nanette Mills, Jennifer Young, Tammy Goetsch, Lisa Surran, Erica McPherson and Joseph Woodie.
    Town Manager Doug Hazlett was on hand as signs were posted for the program. “A community that cares for one another and looks after one another is a very healthy community. The connection of residents to each other and watching out for each other is something government can’t do. People have to reach out to their neighbors. And, I really applaud the effort and the organization behind this,” he said.
    The new signs designate the areas between Military, Park, Kelleran, and School streets as the Adopt-A-Block neighborhood. Houlton Police Lt. Dan Pelletier also was there as the signs went up and said, “this kind of program means it is a safer block and it makes the job of the police that much easier.”  
    According to Burns, the idea is catching on. “The Wesleyan Church has just agreed to adopt their block. And, we are going to work in tandem with that. The Celebrate Recovery group has agreed they want to pick up Mechanic St. with us and another block down toward Main St. There is no reason every single block in Houlton can’t have itself adopted by caring individuals and caring churches loving our neighbors as ourselves. It’s the second command of God.”