In 1989, workcamp originated in a local NE church. 17 students and their adult sponsors headed out for a week-long mission trip to do home repairs for low-income families in Bolivar, TN. Noticing the fast-declining spiritual environment of the Northeast and realizing many families could be aided in NE, the church leadership and the youth minister decided to remain local. 1995 saw other churches nationwide being invited to join. A youth group from Illinois expressed interest in joining NE students. So began the birth of the NE ministry now known as workcampNE.

As the youth pastor relocated in 2003, Ken Therrien was asked to take over directing the ministry. Ken, his wife Marcia, with a team of 3 other couples, ran wcNE under the church where it grew from one to three weeks in 2006. Realizing the ministry was growing beyond what the church could support, in 2007 wcNE officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) federally recognized non-profit. The addition in 2010 of Marc and Jessica Therrien, returning from Illinois to become staff members, further strengthened and grew the ministry.

In 2023, Marc became the Executive Director of wcNE. Marc’s seniority surpasses all as he began his workcampNE career back in 1998 as a middle school student camper!

Marc hired Ray Allen of Illinois as wcNE’s Operations Manager in 2023. Ray and his wife, Alayna now reside in NH where Ray helps Marc in the daily running of the ministry. Marc oversees a volunteer staff of approximately 20 people who help run wcNE during the weeks leading up to and while on location at schools throughout the NE and Midwest.

The ministry now runs five week-long camps each year as well as any custom camps that are requested. Over 300 volunteers work on repairs to 40-50 homes. Testimonies from students, adults and our Residents abound. Impacting Lives for Christ is wcNE’s Vision Statement. The commitment of the ministry will never stray from that.

While history is important, wcNE prefers to look forward to more weeks of camp per summer, more residents helped, more students impacted for His name as they go out into the world to serve.