United Way Inc

IMPROVING LIVES BY FOCUSING ON THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF A STRONG COMMUNITY: EDUCATION, FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND HEALTH.

GOAL 1: GIVE KIDS A STRONG START. CHILDREN WILL LEAD OUR COMMUNITIES TOMORROW AND WE NEED THEM HEALTHY, EDUCATED, AND RESILIENT. IT TAKES ALL OF US WORKING TO ENSURE THAT EVEN THE YOUNGEST CHILDREN IN SOUTHERN MAINE HAVE A STRONG START SO THEY READ AT GRADE LEVEL IN THIRD GRADE. WE KNOW THAT UNTIL THIRD GRADE, CHILDREN ARE LEARNING TO READ. AFTER THIRD GRADE, THEY ARE READING TO LEARN. IT IS CRITICAL TO THEIR LIFELONG SUCCESS. SUCCESS MEASUREMENT: BY 2027, 70% OF CHILDREN READ PROFICIENTLY AT THE END OF THIRD GRADE. UWSM FUNDING THAT SUPPORTS GOAL 1 ENABLED, AMONG OTHER THINGS:1. 261 CHILDREN, BIRTH TO FIVE YEARS OLD, IN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS TO MEET THEIR DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES AND 77 CHILDREN TO BE BETTER PREPARED TO ENTER KINDERGARTEN. 2. 1,505 CHILDREN TO INCREASE THEIR LANGUAGE AND READING SKILLS. 3. 326 EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS TO RECEIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND COACHING AROUND SUPPORTING CHILDREN'S SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND MANAGING CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS.ADDITIONALLY, UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE INVESTS IN OR SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TOWARD THIS GOAL SUCH AS: BRICK & BEAM SOCIETY, A GIVING CIRCLE OF UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE, IS A COLLABORATION OF YOUNG ADULT PROFESSIONALS INVESTING THEIR TIME, SKILLS, AND FINANCES TO IMPACT THE THRIVE2027 GOAL AROUND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. THEY FOCUS THEIR FUNDING ON STEM AND LITERACY PROGRAMMING FOR UNDER-SERVED KIDS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY. FUNDING SUPPORTS AVESTA HOUSING'S WESTBROOK (FRENCHTOWN) PARTNERSHIP LEARNING INITIATIVE TO COLLABORATE WITH SCHOOLS AND OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PROVIDE LOW- TO MODERATE- INCOME CHILDREN SUPPORT MAKING SURE THEIR EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES AND PROGRESS IS NOT DERAILED BY THE PANDEMIC. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES 40 STUDENTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN A MENTORING/TUTORING PROGRAM WHICH MITIGATES DIFFICULTIES THAT THEIR FAMILIES FACE FROM REMOTE LEARNING. THEY ALSO FUND A COLLABORATION BETWEEN LEARNINGWORKS AND SIDE X SIDE TO REACH GIFTED, LOW-INCOME, MINORITY, AND/OR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER STUDENTS. THE PROGRAM REACHES 150 STUDENTS THROUGH AN ENGINEERING CURRICULUM IGNITING LITERACY, MATH, AND CREATIVITY SKILLS. COUNT ME IN IS AN INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP OF SCHOOLS, PARENTS, YOUTH, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO IMPROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. THEY WORK WITH 254 SCHOOL STAFF MEMBERS FROM 10 SCHOOLS TO INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN HIGH-FIDELITY IMPLEMENTATION, WHICH INCLUDES GENERATING ANNUAL ATTENDANCE DATA REPORTS TO INFORM THEIR EFFORTS. COORDINATING WITH LOCAL AND STATE AGENCIES, THEY IMPACT POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT REDUCE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM.THE CHILDREN'S INITIATIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE (ECEC) IS A TRAUMA-FOCUSED PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION PROGRAM OF MAINE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, WHICH IMPLEMENTS TARGETED PROGRAM TACTICS PROVEN TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS. ECEC PROVIDES TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO 157 TEACHERS ON ACES, INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT, TRAUMA-INFORMED PRINCIPLES AND STRATEGIES, FAMILY ENGAGEMENT, AND PROFESSIONAL RESILIENCE. THE OVERARCHING GOAL IS TO BOLSTER THE ABILITY OF COMMUNITY-BASED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO SERVE THE NEXT GENERATION.BIDDEFORD READY! (BR!) IS A COLLECTIVE IMPACT PROJECT DEVELOPED TO ADDRESS SCHOOL READINESS IN CHILDREN 0-5 IN BIDDEFORD. BR! HAS THREE AREAS OF FOCUS: 1) ACCESS TO QUALITY EARLY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, 2) INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOOL READINESS, AND 3) IDENTIFICATION AND MITIGATION OF THE IMPACTS OF ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES. UWSM SERVES AS THE BACKBONE OF THIS COLLECTIVE IMPACT PROJECT.

GOAL 2: EMPOWER NEIGHBORS TO THRIVE - NOT JUST SURVIVE. WHEN PEOPLE HAVE THE EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME FINANCIALLY STABLE, THEY CAN PAY THEIR RENT ON TIME AND PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE. THEY ARE ALSO BETTER ABLE TO SAVE FOR EMERGENCIES, BUY A HOUSE, PAY FOR COLLEGE, AND SAVE FOR RETIREMENT. THIS IS WHY WE WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE MORE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN SOUTHERN MAINE ARE MORE FINANCIALLY SECURE THROUGH IMPROVED EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. SUCCESS MEASUREMENT: BY 2027, 70% OF HOUSEHOLDS PAY LESS THAN 30% OF THEIR INCOME ON HOUSING. UWSM FUNDING THAT SUPPORTS GOAL 2 ENABLED, AMONG OTHER THINGS: 1. UWSM INVESTMENTS ENABLED MORE THAN 1,046 HOUSEHOLDS TO MOVE FROM "CRISIS" TO "STABILITY" ON A SELF-SUFFICIENCY INDEX. 2. 1,174 INDIVIDUALS INCREASED THEIR WAGES. 3. 394 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED FREE TAX PREPARATION THROUGH CA$H GREATER PORTLAND. THESE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES SAVED $75,900 IN INCOME TAX PREPARATION FEES AND RECEIVED $786,431 IN FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAX REFUNDS, INCLUDING $176,667 IN FEDERAL EARNED INCOME TAX CREDITS. ADDITIONALLY, UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE INVESTS IN OR SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TOWARD THIS GOAL SUCH AS: 1. FUNDED BY WOMEN UNITED, AN INDIVIDUAL GIVING GROUP OF UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE, THE OPPORTUNITY ALLIANCE'S PROJECT WIN (WOMEN IN NEIGHBORHOODS) IS A COLLABORATION THAT WORKS WITH A GROUP OF SINGLE MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN LIVING IN PORTLAND'S EAST BAYSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD. PROJECT WIN HELPS PARENTS PURSUE EMPLOYMENT SKILLS AND EDUCATION GOALS TO IMPROVE THEIR OWN ECONOMIC SECURITY AND STABILITY, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY ENSURING THEIR CHILDREN ARE ON A PATH AT AN EARLY AGE TO FOSTER A LOVE OF LEARNING. THE PROGRAM SERVED 16 SINGLE-MOTHERS AND 49 CHILDREN. BY FOCUSING JOINTLY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF BOTH MOTHER AND CHILD(REN), PROJECT WIN ENGAGES FAMILIES USING A TWO-GENERATION APPROACH. WOMEN UNITED SUPPORTS THIS INITIATIVE BECAUSE THEY KNOW CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DO BETTER WHEN THEY BOTH HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL, IN WORK, AND AS A FAMILY. 2. UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE SERVES AS THE BACKBONE FOR THE GREATER PORTLAND WORKFORCE INITIATIVE (GPWI). GPWI IS A COLLECTIVE IMPACT COLLABORATIVE THAT BUILDS ON THE EXISTING WORK AND EXPERIENCE OF 16 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND CONNECTS WITH THE PUBLIC WORKFORCE SYSTEM TO CREATE A DUAL-CUSTOMER PIPELINE ALIGNING WITH THE NEEDS OF JOBSEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS. TO ACHIEVE THIS, THE GPWI IDENTIFIES SECTOR-SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT, ENGAGES EMPLOYERS FOR INPUT INTO THE CORE AND OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS REQUIRED FOR INCREASED EMPLOYMENT OF JOBSEEKERS WITH BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS WITH BARRIERS THE SKILLS AND SUPPORTS NECESSARY TO ENTER INTO THE IDENTIFIED PATHWAYS, AND PROVIDES EMPLOYERS WITH ACCESS TO QUALIFIED JOBSEEKERS. AMONG THEIR VARIOUS PROJECTS, GPWI OFFERS A BRIDGE TO CHILDCARE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE PROGRAM AND PILOTED A CHILDCARE BUSINESS INCUBATOR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PORTLAND CONNECTED AND CEI, INC., IN GREATER PORTLAND. PARTICIPANTS EXPERIENCED DECREASED BARRIERS TO TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT, GAINED KNOWLEDGE OF CAREER PATHWAYS, EARNED RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS, INCREASED INCOME, AND GAINED ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND JOB RETENTION SUPPORTS. THE BRIDGE HAS SHOWN REMARKABLE SUCCESS, RECEIVED INCREDIBLE SUPPORT, AND IS RECOGNIZED AS A BEST PRACTICE. 3. UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE SERVES AS THE ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE LOCAL BOARDS OF THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER NATIONAL BOARD PROGRAM (EFSP) FOR CUMBERLAND AND YORK COUNTIES. THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP COMMUNITIES RESPOND TO LOCAL EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER NEEDS. EFSP FUNDS TO HELP LOCAL EXISTING PROGRAMS, SUCH AS FOOD PANTRIES AND SHELTERS, EXPAND THEIR CAPACITY TO SERVE THOSE IN NEED. LOCAL FUNDING DECISIONS ARE MADE BY THE LOCAL BOARD, WHICH SETS PRIORITIES, ADVERTISES THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, MAKES FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS, AND PROVIDES TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO RECIPIENT ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE GRANT PERIOD. IN FY 22, EFSP AWARDED $419,495 TO ORGANIZATIONS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY AND $327,369 IN YORK COUNTY THROUGH PHASES 39 & ARPA-R. IN FY 22, SPECIAL FUNDING REQUESTS IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY BROUGHT IN $2,806,941 TO SUPPORT SEVEN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING FRONTLINE SERVICES TO THE RECENT INFLUX OF NEW ARRIVALS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

GOAL 3: HELP US ALL LIVE LONGER, BETTER LIVES. TODAY, TOO MANY LIVES ARE CUT SHORT DUE TO BARRIERS TO HEALTH, SUCH AS UNTREATED MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. AND THAT IS WHY WE WORK TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE IN SOUTHERN MAINE HAS OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES TO REDUCE PREVENTABLE PREMATURE DEATH. SUCCESS MEASUREMENT: BY 2027, REDUCE PREVENTABLE PREMATURE DEATHS BY 10%. UWSM FUNDING THAT SUPPORTS GOAL 3 ENABLED, AMONG OTHER THINGS: 1. 1,041 INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES IMPROVED THEIR DAILY FUNCTIONING AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY.2. 9 FUNDED PARTNERS SERVING OVER 5,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN A TRAINING SERIES TO HELP THEM BETTER SUPPORT CLIENTS WHO EXPERIENCED TRAUMA. 3. 136 YOUTH IN YORK COUNTY STRENGTHENED THEIR RESILIENCY. COVID-19 HAS MADE LIFE DIFFICULT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AS THEY NAVIGATED THEIR DAILY LIVES AND ROUTINES AMONG THE VARIOUS CHALLENGES CREATED BY THE PANDEMIC. LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES REPORT THAT CLIENTS ARE PRESENTING AT THEIR OFFICES SICKER THAN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC. IN ADDITION TO FUNDING PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICE TO INDIVIDUALS IN NEED UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE HAS STEPPED UP TO TRAIN COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID. PARTICIPANTS LEARN HOW TO HELP PEOPLE WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM OR CRISIS. INDIVIDUALS LEARN RISK FACTORS AND WARNING SIGNS OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, INFORMATION ON DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, TRAUMA, PSYCHOSIS, AND ADDICTION DISORDERS, A 5-STEP ACTION PLAN TO HELP SOMEONE DEVELOPING A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM OR IN CRISIS AND WHERE TO TURN FOR HELP (PROFESSIONAL, PEER, AND / OR SELF-HELP RESOURCES). DURING FY22, 126 INDIVIDUALS WERE TRAINED AND CERTIFIED IN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE TRAINING, THE MAJORITY OF PARTICIPANTS REPORTED THE TRAINING INCREASED THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES. IN A THREE MONTH FOLLOW UP EVALUATION SURVEY THE MAJORITY OF RESPONDENTS REPORTING HAVING HAD A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE ABOUT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH, COMMUNICATED SELF-HELP APPROACHES, AND USED SELF-HELP APPROACHES THEMSELVES. 90% OF PARTICIPANTS SAID THEY WERE ABLE TO UTILIZE WHAT THEY LEARNED IN TRAINING TO PROVIDE REASSURANCE AND SUPPORT TO OTHERS AND 100% SAID THEY HAD BEEN ABLE TO UTILIZE SELF-HELP AND OTHER SUPPORT STRATEGIES FOR THEMSELVES. UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THIS IMPORTANT RESOURCE FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

1. 211 MAINE IS A FREE, CONFIDENTIAL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES INFORMATION AND REFERRALS TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES ACROSS MAINE TO LOCAL SERVICES. 211 MAINE IS BASED IN MAINE AND AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, BY PHONE, TEXT, AND ONLINE. 211 MAINE CONNECTS PEOPLE TO RESOURCES SUCH AS HEATING AND UTILITIES ASSISTANCE, ACCESS TO FOOD PANTRIES, HOUSING AND SHELTER, AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH A TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE NUMBER (211), A TEXT OPTION (898-211), AND A ROBUST ONLINE DIRECTORY AT WWW.211MAINE.ORG. 211 MAINE IS A PARTNERSHIP OF THE UNITED WAYS OF MAINE, THE STATE OF MAINE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND THE OPPORTUNITY ALLIANCE AS THE CONTACT CENTER PARTNER. LAST YEAR, 211 MAINE SPECIALISTS FIELDED APPROXIMATELY 80,395 CALLS, PROVIDING INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES, AS WELL AS OPERATING SPECIALIZED INITIATIVES LIKE THE OPIATE HELPLINE AND FIELDING GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT MAINE'S COVID-19 SITUATION.2. KEEP ME WARM IS A STATEWIDE PARTNERSHIP OF THE SEVEN UNITED WAYS IN MAINE AND THE TEN COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES (CAPS) TO RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPLEMENT FUEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN MAINE. KEEP ME WARM IS THE ONLY STATEWIDE FUEL ASSISTANCE FUNDRAISING EFFORT IN THE STATE. UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE IS THE CUSTODIAN OF THE KEEP ME WARM FUND AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COLLECTING, DISTRIBUTING, AND REPORTING. FUNDS CONTRIBUTED TO KEEP ME WARM FUND ARE DISTRIBUTED BASED ON A FORMULA DEVELOPED BY UNITED WAYS IN MAINE AND CAPS BASED ON FEDERAL LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) DISTRIBUTION PERCENTAGES AND POPULATION. CAPS RECEIVE 50% OF THE FUNDS, UNITED WAYS RECEIVE 25%, AND 211 MAINE RECEIVES 25% TO FUND EMERGENCY OVERNIGHT ASSISTANCE THROUGH 211 MAINE. DONATIONS TO KEEP ME WARM FUND PROVIDE EMERGENCY HEATING ASSISTANCE. CAPS USE THE FUNDS TO HELP HOUSEHOLDS THAT MIGHT NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR LIMITED FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL FUEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. UNITED WAY FUNDS SUPPORT ADDITIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES THAT CAN HELP THOSE IN NEED OF FUEL ASSISTANCE. 211 MAINE AIDS IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS FOR STATEWIDE OVERNIGHT EMERGENCY FUEL ASSISTANCE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO HEAT AND HAVE CHILDREN OR ELDERLY FAMILY MEMBERS IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD. MORE THAN $380,000 WAS RAISED FOR HEATING ASSISTANCE THROUGH KEEP ME WARM LAST YEAR. UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE ESTIMATES THAT MORE THAN 1,200 HOUSEHOLDS WERE HELPED LAST YEAR, DIRECTLY BENEFITING APPROXIMATELY MORE THAN 2,760 PEOPLE. 3. DESIGNATIONS ARE DONOR-DIRECTED CONTRIBUTIONS TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS. DONORS TO UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE'S CAMPAIGN MAY DIRECT ALL OR A PORTION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO SPECIFIC NONPROFIT AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. EACH AGENCY'S NONPROFIT 501(C)(3) STATUS AND COMPLIANCE WITH THE USA PATRIOT ACT IS VERIFIED BEFORE FUNDS ARE DISTRIBUTED.4. VOLUNTEERS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN IMPROVING PEOPLE'S LIVES AND IN HELPING UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE REACH OUR ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS. WE KNOW MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS REQUIRE MORE THAN JUST MONEY, PROGRAMS, OR POLICIES. THE KIND OF REAL AND LASTING CHANGE THAT BENEFITS EVERYONE IS ONLY POSSIBLE WHEN PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE WILLING TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES AND GO WHERE THEIR TIME AND TALENT IS MOST NEEDED. UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE IS HELPING TO SUPPORT THRIVE2027'S (OUR COMMUNITY'S COMMITMENT TO THREE 10-YEAR, COMMUNITY-WIDE GOALS, WWW.THRIVE2027.ORG) SUCCESS BY GUIDING ITS VISION AND STRATEGY, ALIGNING PARTNERS, AND SHARING BEST PRACTICES. UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE PUTS PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF TRANSFORMING THEIR COMMUNITIES BY CALLING ON THEM TO UTILIZE THEIR FULL RANGE OF ASSETS - TIME, TALENT, AND TREASURE. WE BELIEVE VOLUNTEER EFFORTS ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE COMMUNITY AND STRENGTHEN THE CONNECTIONS THAT CREATE POSITIVE CHANGES THAT BENEFIT EVERYONE. THEY HELP BUILD THE CAPACITY OF LOCAL NON-PROFIT AGENCIES BY ENHANCING AND EXPANDING THE AGENCY SERVICES TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS. UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE WORKS WITH OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS AND OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO IDENTIFY AND RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS TO FILL IDENTIFIED NEEDS IN OUR SCHOOLS AND LOCAL NONPROFITS. THESE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE READERS, TAX PREPARERS, SKILLS-BASED VOLUNTEERS, AND VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVALUATING AND DECISION-MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OUR COMMUNITY GRANTS/ INVESTMENTS. THROUGH A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT WITH THE UNITED WAYS IN MAINE, UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE OFFERS A STATEWIDE, SEARCHABLE LISTING OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT HTTPS://UWSME.GALAXYDIGITAL.COM/. THIS VALUABLE TOOL ALLOWS ORGANIZATIONS TO POST VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO PERFORM A CUSTOMIZED SEARCH. IN ADDITION TO HOSTING AN ADMINISTERING THE SITE, WE OFFER TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO VOLUNTEERS AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. UNITED WAY OF SOUTHERN MAINE ORGANIZES A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY EVENTS, INCLUDING AN ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE, FAMILY DAY OF ACTION, READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY, LITERACY KIT ASSEMBLY PROJECTS AND CUSTOM VOLUNTEER PROJECTS FOR CORPORATE PARTNERS. THIS YEAR WE HELD VIRTUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ARE HOPING TO BE BACK UP IN-PERSON WHEN WE ARE ABLE.