United Way invested $273,300 in 17 partner agencies to change lives for 5,116 local people.

Wendell's Story
"When I came out of the hospital, I was very distraught and through Oasis my whole life changed. I didn't realize the extent of my diabetes. I didn't realize the extent of my depression and anxiety and so forth, but through Oasis, all those needs have been addressed."

Clinic staff stress that the Oasis Health Center, a United Way partner agency, isn't just about having patients take a few pills. Rather, Oasis is about teaching people how to take control of their health. Wil says he's learned to do that and more.

"When I came out of the hospital, I was unemployed and had no focus in my own life in terms of what I wanted and where I wanted to go. So, when I got involved with Dr. McGuire and the staff at Oasis, they gave me a sense of value, knowing that somebody cares."

Now Wil's medical issues are being managed. He is employed working with children in the Autism spectrum of disorders and as a job coach with Independence Association. Wil also is an active volunteer at Mid Coast Hospital as a Hospice Chaplain and at the hospital's Addiction Resource Center.