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 Mosaic project is a year-round ‘plant to plate’ community service-learning program focused on two of CISV’s core educational principles: Human Rights and Sustainable Development. It benefits 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 benefit in a great number of ways too, there is 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 provide more than 1,000 healthy meals for people experiencing food insecurity.
The CISV Harvest Garden grows primarily root crops that work well in the soups, breads and desserts made October through May. Varieties are chosen according to their storage qualities and tolerance to cold weather. Low tunnels are used to protect many of the crops, extending the growing season well into late fall.
CISV members strive to strengthen chapter friendships while building bridges with the larger community. Over the life of our project, volunteers have 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.
We are completely dependent on community financial assistance and support and welcome volunteers of all ages to join us! Stop by the garden (next to Orono Senior Center and Orono Public Library) to see how lovely it is!
Passport to the World Camp
(Coming back in Summer 2019!)
This one week summer day camp is a Mosaic Project of the Maine Chapter. It serves children in the local area from 6-10 years of age and provides 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 to the World Camp started in 2005 and has brought on many NGOs to participate and be involved with this early childhood experience with CISV.