Mosaic is CISV’s local community-based program. Mosaic can be anything from a one-off event to a year-long project. Mosaic projects are planned and delivered by our Chapter, using CISV’s educational approach. Each one responds to local needs and interests in a meaningful way. Most projects are designed and run in cooperation with partner organizations to further the benefit to the local community.
Being part of a Mosaic project is a real-life learning experience that will have a lasting impact. If you’re new to CISV, it’s a great way to get involved!
Harvest for the Homeless
This innovative CISV Maine Mosaic project was a year-round ‘plant to plate’ community service-learning program focused on two of CISV’s core educational principles: Human Rights and Sustainable Development. For almost 10 years, it benefited area homeless shelters with home-made garden meals throughout the coldest time of the year, when locally grown foods are in short supply. Project volunteers benefited in a great number of ways too, there was summer for learning and experiencing organic gardening, the fall for practicing food storage and preserving, and the interim months for getting together with friends and families to create healthy garden meals for those in need. Each year we provided more than 1,000 healthy meals for people experiencing food insecurity.
CISV members strive to strengthen chapter friendships while building bridges with the larger community. Over the life of this project, CISVers enjoyed working with UMaine Cooperative Extension and Master Gardeners, Orono Community Gardeners, Sustainable Agriculture students, UMaine first-year student volunteers, UMaine Upward Bound students, Orono Parks and Rec after-school students, Wassookeag Home School, Orono High Alternative Ed. CORE students, Orono High Honors Extension students, and AFS-YES exchange program students.
The program ended in 2019, Covid put a damper on things, but we are now are looking into other local programming opportunities. Suggestions for projects are always welcome!
Passport Camp
This Mosaic program traditionally has been a one week summer day camp run by our Maine Chapter. In 2020, we had to cancel due to Covid. In 2021, we held a virtual series of Passport camp programs. Passport camps serve children in the local area from 6-10 years of age and provide the participants a unique opportunity to experience other countries and cultures through guest speakers, food, music, games, etc. It is structured to provide a glimpse into the CISV Village program that starts at age 11 and see what a village experience is like. The participants learn the CISV games and philosophy while expanding their own horizons with exposure to other cultures. Passport Camp started in 2005 and has brought on many NGOs to participate and be involved with this early childhood experience with CISV. CISV Maine Junior Branch youth volunteer in the camp as counselors and we have UMaine international students involved, to share the culture of their countries!