United is the Way
United Way of Southern Maine
Mobilizing our community to action so all can thrive.
United Way of Southern Maine opened our doors in 1929. Since then, we have had different logos, names, and addresses, including a new logo unveiled in October. As our community has grown, its needs have changed, and so have our strategies for addressing those challenges.
Throughout these changes, our mission has remained the same: mobilizing our communities to action so all can thrive. We rally to meet people’s needs in hard times so they can rise back up and build a better future.
There are many ways to support your community through United Way of Southern Maine. You can volunteer, advocate for policies that help Mainers thrive, and support our work to advance healthy communities, youth opportunity, financial security, and community resiliency.
Women United Invests $259K in Single Mothers
Women United announced investments totaling $259,700 in local programs advancing single mothers and their families. 69% of single women with children in Southern Maine cannot afford their family’s basic needs. These investments will support programs that provide personal coaching, skill building, child care, financial education, and more to help move women and their families toward financial stability.
Investments:
Women United’s impact is made possible with support from the John T. Gorman Foundation , Hannaford Supermarkets , MEMIC , and WEX . The Women United Fall Gathering was sponsored by KeyBank .
ALICE and Homelessness on Maine Calling
How do we prevent Mainers from falling into homelessness? Nakesha Warren, homeless services hub coordinator for Cumberland County, was recently interviewed on Maine Calling (starting at 18:00). Nakesha uses United Way’s ALICE data as a powerful tool for identifying towns with high rates of financial hardship. She can then share information and strategies with those towns so they can prevent their citizens from getting to the point of eviction.
Announcing Southern Maine Workforce Initiative!
United Way’s Greater Portland Workforce Initiative is now Southern Maine Workforce Initiative , expanding its impact and geographic reach to eight towns in York County: Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Biddeford, Arundel, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Wells, and Sanford/Springvale.
Southern Maine Workforce Initiative will continue to ensure jobseekers are prepared for and connected to employment with strong career pathways and family-sustaining wages, while forging robust employer partnerships to help foster inclusive workplaces through job seeker advocacy, employer education and training.
Engage Maine’s Global Talent Forum
Engage Maine’s Global Talent Forum, hosted by Southern Maine Workforce Initiative, recently completed its third and final session. Thirty-three local employers and organizations from a range of industries participated and learned strategies, best practices, and innovative resources to support efforts in hiring, retaining, and promoting international talent. The goal of the forum was to support employers in their efforts to create more welcoming work environments with a specific aim at addressing skills underutilization of internationally trained jobseekers.?
Explore Southern Maine Workforce Initiative’s toolkits and resources for supporting international trained talent in the workplace.
The forum was made possible with support from Southern Maine Community College , WES Miriam Assefa Fund, Gorham Savings Bank , and MEMIC .??
Upcoming Events
Kegs & Issues: United is the Way! Conversation with Liz Cotter Schlax
Wednesday, November 20th ? 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM EST
AURA | 121 Center St | Portland, ME
PROPEL—In Focus: Emerging Leaders United
Save the Date: December 19
Allagash Brewing Company | 100 Industrial Way | Portland, ME