Headquartered in Milbridge, Maine, the mission of Mano en Mano (Hand in Hand) is to build “… a stronger and more inclusive Downeast Maine by working with diverse populations to provide affordable housing and educational opportunities, remove barriers to healthcare and other social services, and advocate for social justice.” Migrant workers make up a significant share of the target population for this community service organization.

Ian Yaffe, Mano en Mano’s executive director, reached out to Professors Betty Sasaki (who has an on-going professional relationship with the project) and Michael Donihue about the design and implementation of an economic impact study as part of a broader needs assessment focused on the contribution of migrant workers in Washington County as a way to help inform the resident population of the value of these workers to the area to help support the mission of Mano en Mano.

During January 2016 a comprehensive survey was developed, a team of survey workers was hired in February, and the survey was administered to 78 households between March and May 30, 2016. Mano en Mano’s needs assessment is now in the development stage and this survey data will play an important role in developing their future agenda.