United Way Looks At The BIG Picture
United Way brings people together to change the world around us and advance the common good. We all win when a child is ready for school, when a family is able to stay in their home after a sudden job loss or illness, and when our neighbors have food to eat and heat to keep them warm in the winter.
Join individuals and organizations throughout the Mid Coast to help make a difference in the lives of 20,000+ people. This support helps everyone – you, your family, friends, colleagues, employees, and neighbors.
Together, we can:
Your investment in 48 local community programs is the best way to make a difference in Brunswick, Harpswell, Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties.
Join individuals and organizations throughout the Mid Coast to help make a difference in the lives of 20,000+ people. This support helps everyone – you, your family, friends, colleagues, employees, and neighbors.
Together, we can:
- Provide the best start for children.
- Build financial stability.
- Help ALL of us live healthier, more connected, lives.
Your investment in 48 local community programs is the best way to make a difference in Brunswick, Harpswell, Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties.
People Served Last Year
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Last year, 48 local community programs and initiatives supported by United Way of Mid Coast Maine served more than 20,000 of our family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.
We are honored to share the following reports showing the number of individuals served in our local Mid Coast communities with the support of United Way of Mid Coast Maine. |
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2-1-1 Maine
One of United Way of Mid Coast Maine's most important ongoing initiatives is our work with United Ways throughout Maine to support 2-1-1 Maine, the free, confidential, 24-hour referral resource to help Maine people connect with information and services. 211 Maine is available 24/7/365. To get connected, Dial 211, text your zip code to 898-211, or visit 211maine.org. |
Best Start for Children
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Early Childhood is much more than a focus area - it's a large-scale strategy for improving lives across the Mid Coast with long-lasting impact on the whole community.
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Community Partners:
- Bath Area Family YMCA – The Enrichment Preschool Program
- Central Lincoln County YMCA – Child Care & After School Programs
- Coastal Kids Preschool – Inclusive Preschool & Afterschool Program
- Family Focus – Children's Services
- Healthy Kids – Child Abuse Prevention
- Home to Home – Supervised Visitation Program
- Midcoast Literacy – Family Literacy Services
- Midcoast Maine Community Action – Families CAN! & Whole Families
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Diaper Project
Helping keep babies clean, dry, and healthy. Diapers cost a family more than $1,000 per year. Lacking an adequate supply of diapers can cause undue stress on both baby and parent and can affect not only short-term health, but a child’s long-term health and development. We want to improve babies’ health and well-being by raising community awareness of the basic need for diapers and increasing the availability of diapers for Mid Coast families. Diapers and funds to purchase diapers have been collected through Diaper Drives held at businesses and organizations. Contributions from individuals and community groups have also gone a long way to support the program. Since August 2014, we have distributed over 62,000 diapers to programs, including food pantries, home visiting, and WIC. |
Build Financial Stability
Community Partners:
- American Red Cross of Central & Mid Coast Maine – Disaster Cycle Services
- Boothbay Region Community Resources Council – Community Navigator
- Habitat for Humanity – Weatherizing & Repair Program
- Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program – Food Pantry; Soup Kitchen; Food Bank
- People Plus – Volunteer Transportation Network
- Spectrum Generations – Meals on Wheels
- Tedford Housing; Adult and Family Emergency Housing Shelter and Services; Homelessness Prevention Services; Supported Housing Services
- Salvation Army of Bath Brunswick – Emergency Assistance
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Midcoast CA$H
Midcoast CA$H is a partnership of community non- and for-profit partners working together to help empower individuals and families to achieve long-term financial stability. Since 2004, we have offered free tax preparation to qualified filers during tax season and educated hard-working families and individuals about programs in the community that can increase their income, reduce debt, and build savings. CA$H is a year-round resource, providing outreach and education about ways you can make the most of your money. |
Success Example: Weatherization Project
Improving energy efficiency for a local homeowner with window strips
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“In January of 2009 I approached Habitat for Humanity about volunteering with them and they quickly referred to United Way’s Winter Preparedness Action Program.”
(Note: in that cold winter with climbing fuel prices, United Way brought the community together to help, and created a volunteer “Step One” weatherization program. After that first year, the two agencies agreed Habitat would run the program, and United Way would provide funding). “I have seen first-hand how effective the Habitat and United Way of Mid Coast Maine partnership has been, and I am proud to be involved with the Weatherization Project. Since 2009, Habitat has weatherized over 300 homes. On average, these improvements can save homeowners up to $400 annually on energy costs. In addition, Habitat for Humanity/7 Rivers has provided weatherizing training for other Habitat affiliates and interested organizations around the state.” - Steve Hatt, Habitat for Humanity Board Member William J. Dana & Associates, Builders, Energy Auditors & Weatherization Specialists |
Success Example: Food Security Coalition
Mary Turner of the Food Security Coalition with Bowdoinham Food Pantry volunteers and its Director, Kathy Tome
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"The Food Security Coalition exists because United Way listened to the community, and their continued funding allows me to support our local pantries. The food pantries and soup kitchens are run almost entirely by volunteers. I’m continually impressed with their willingness to do what it takes to serve our community."
- Mary Turner, Food Security Coalition, Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program "We wanted to keep our food pantry simple, but there are procedures and structures that need to be in place, and Mary guided us from the beginning. In addition to Mary, the Bowdoinham community has been very supportive - volunteers, farmers, donors, and local organizations have all helped us keep our shelves stocked and doors open for the dozens of families who rely on us. With Mary’s help, we do it well. She's always there for us." - Kathy Tome, Director of Bowdoinham Food Pantry |
Live Healthier, More Connected, Lives
Community Partners:
- Bath Area Family YMCA – Financial Aid
- Bath-Brunswick Respite Care – Adult Day Service
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bath/Brunswick – Community, School and Site-Based Mentoring
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine – Community and School-based Mentoring
- Boothbay Region District Nursing Association – Nursing Care & Outreach
- Boothbay Region Community Resources Council – Addiction Outreach Program
- Catholic Charities Maine – SEARCH – Greater Bath and Lincoln County
- Elmhurst, Inc. – Supported Living Program
- Girl Scouts of Maine – A Place for Girls
- Independence Association – Community Supports and Services
- Lincoln County Dental
- Maine Family Planning – Clinical Health Care Services in Lincoln County
- Midcoast Literacy – Adult Literacy Services
- Midcoast Youth Center – Merrymeeting Support Collaborative for Youth Experiencing Homelessness
- Mobius, Inc. – Community Supports
- MSAD 75 – School-Based Health Center
- New Hope Midcoast – Outreach in Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties
- Oasis Free Clinics – Medical, Dental and Prescription Assistance
- People Plus – Brunswick Area Teen Center & Community Outreach
- Pine Tree Legal Assistance – Victims Assistance Program
- Planned Parenthood of Northern New England – Brunswick/Topsham Charity Care
- Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine – Prevention Education Grades 6-8
- The Gathering Place – Drop-In Day Shelter
- Through These Doors – Advocacy & Outreach Services
Success Example: SEARCH Greater Bath
A match made by SEARCH Greater Bath
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“The Catholic Charities SEARCH Program of Greater Bath would not exist without United Way, which created a task force in 2004 to find ways to help aging seniors in the Mid Coast stay independent in their homes. Our United Way was ahead of the curve in terms of the “aging in place” initiatives now taking place around the state and the country.”
- Chris Szalay, Program Coordinator |
