UNITED WAY OF MID COAST MAINE
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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, when our neighbors have food to eat and heat to keep them warm in the winter. 

Focus areas

Education, Financial Stability/Basic Needs, and Health are the building blocks of a good quality of life for individuals, families, and the whole community. United Way donations provide immediate, practical help for Mid Coast residents through programs that help them improve their education, basic needs, and health. United Way's initiatives work to create long-lasting change in these areas.

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Our Early Childhood focus includes a wide range of support for babies, children, & families to prevent problems & encourage healthy futures.

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Best Start Initiative
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Providing parenting support through home visiting 
Diaper Project
Helping keep babies clean, dry, and healthy
Early Literacy
Early exposure to books and language is positively linked with school readiness and adult literacy
Born Learning
Babies and children are natural learners
VROOM
An app encouraging all parents and caregivers to be brain builders
Our Strategic Plan shows that 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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Councils

 
United Way has 4 councils of dedicated community volunteers who focus on the following impact areas:
  • Education: Success By 6
  • Education: Youth & Lifelong Learning
  • Financial Stability & Basic Needs
  • Safe & Healthy Community
These councils meet regularly to listen, learn, share, and develop ways to help our Mid Coast community thrive. Initiatives are responses to challenges identified by these volunteers and experts in our community. The Best Start Initiative started in a council meeting and led to the formation of an 18-person Best Start Initiative Team. With their commitment, time, and creativity, Best Start received funding and launched an innovative home visiting program with support for new parents. Read more about the Best Start Team's ongoing work. Find more examples of council successes below.

Success Example: Weatherization Project

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Improving energy efficiency for a local homeowner with window strips
​“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.”
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(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 firsthand 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.” 
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- Steve Hatt, Habitat for Humanity Board Member
William J. Dana & Associates, Builders, Energy Auditors & Weatherization Specialists


Success Example: SEARCH Greater Bath

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A match made by SEARCH Greater Bath
“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.”
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- Chris Szalay, Program Coordinator
 

Success Example: Food Security Coalition

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Mary Turner of the Food Security Coalition with Bowdoinham Food Pantry volunteers and its Director, Kathy Tome
​"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

Location
​​34 Wing Farm Parkway, #201
Bath, ME 04530

​United Way of Mid Coast Maine serves people in Sagadahoc and Lincoln Counties, Brunswick and Harpswell.
Contact Us
​​Tel: 207-443-9752
Fax: 207-443-9794
Email: info@uwmcm.org
Get Help
2-1-1 Maine is available 24/7/365
Free & Confidential Referral Service
Call 2-1-1
Email info@211maine.org
Text your zip code to 898-211
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​Copyright 2020 United Way of Mid Coast Maine
  • Home
  • Donate
    • RECOVERY FUND
  • Campaign
  • Get Involved
    • Advocate
    • Volunteer >
      • Current Volunteer Opportunities
  • Get Help
    • 211Maine
    • Midcoast CA$H
    • Resources
  • About Us
    • Our Work
    • Reports
    • Board of Directors
    • News & Events
    • FAQs
    • Accountability
    • Contact