NEWSLETTER
September 2021

EVENTS | UPDATES | IMPACT
SAVE THE DATE
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Changing Children’s Lives: 
United Way Expands Hope Fund 
The Hope Fund was established in 2017 to provide direct assistance for unmet needs of children in Greater Franklin County. The emphasis of the fund is to remove barriers to enable low-income children to engage in a wide variety of enriching experiences in which they would not otherwise be able to participate.  
 
Since the Hope Fund was established, 374 youth under 18 have received funding for a total of just over $37,000. 
 
The Hope Fund has been accepting applications from caseworkers, schools/teachers/guidance counselors, etc. for awards for individuals - up to $200.00 per request. Now non-profits may apply for specific programs that benefit children 17 and under. The maximum award is $2,000.  
 
Congratulations to Sweat-Winter Child Care & Early Education Center, our first non-profit applicant. Sweat- Winter was awarded $1,700 to purchase a package from Kinderlabrobotics for the Sweatt-Winter School-Age Program. KIBO robots allow 4-7 year old's to create, design, decorate and bring their own robot to life.  
 
Youth like Cleo Casey (pictured here) can benefit from the Hope Fund.

The Hope Fund now accepts applications from non-profits who offer programs that benefit area youth.

Applications are available on our website

 
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 
Very Basics Fund Makes a BIG IMPACT 
Applications due October 31, 2021 

United Way had unprecedented requests for support due to the pandemic and distributed almost $110,000 through its Very Basics Fund which primarily funds food, fuel, shelter, and other basic needs. 44% of Very Basics Fund grants to date have supported programs that provide food or food distribution.

For a complete list of Very Basics Fund recipients CLICK HERE

Funds are distributed twice a year and a deadline is coming up at the end of October. If you are a non-profit please consider applying for up to $5,000. Very Basics Fund 

Carthage Food Bank volunteers were happy to receive toothbrushes and toothpaste to distribute.
UWTVA provided funds for the Partnership for Children's Oral Health to distribute supplies to schools, social service organizations and food pantries.

Rangeley Health and Wellness Partnership received support from UWTVA to help coordinate behavioral health services for seniors who are isolated and vulnerable, especially during the pandemic
THE PATH AHEAD
United Way of the Tri-Valley Area
Launches New Strategic Plan 
 
With limited resources and evolving community needs, it is important to establish a path to get to where you want to go – and to make the biggest impact in the process. United Way of the Tri-Valley Area (UWTVA) has charted its path with a new strategic plan. 

UWTVA’s Board of Directors spent a significant amount of time reviewing data and considering how it can most efficiently and effectively impact community needs. A full day facilitated retreat helped further define its goals and objectives which now include:
  • Increasing access to and awareness of technology.
  • Helping our community become more mobile with a focus on volunteer rides and car repair programs  
  • Improving financial stability and increasing independence with a focus on preparing teens and young adults to develop financial literacy skills and funding programs that raise youth aspirations 
  • Improving health with a focus on increasing access to and consumption of healthy food and mental health resources 
 
CLICK HERE for the full plan
DID YOU KNOW?
PACKS FOR PROGRESS UPDATE
We were very happy to fill over 500 backpack requests through our Packs for Progress initiative this year. As school starts up, children from Rangeley, to Eustis and right down through to Livermore will have the tools they need to start the year right. Packs for Progress was generously sponsored by The Dugout Bar & Grill, Franklin Savings Bank and Farmington Rotary. Many individuals brought in supplies and Franklin Community Health Network did a massive supply drive. 20+ Rotarians helped fill the bags and all this generosity allowed United Way to accommodate over 50 waitlisted families. Thank you to everyone who helped these kiddos this school year! 

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Welcome back Mary Lecours 

Mary Lecours learned so much in her first practicum with United Way, she returns this fall to further her education and help others. Mary is a pursuing her degree in Human Services at Central Maine Community College. Mary, from Strong, has experience working with individuals with disabilities as well as home care. She is passionate about giving back and ensuring people know about community resources that are available to help them. 

Mary will be coordinating a community conversation with town General Assistance officials, case managers, social workers, and others interested in learning more about rental assistance, heating assistance and much more. This will be a virtual meeting on October 6. All are welcome. 

Mary will also be coordinating a Caravan of Caring – Covid Style. This is a virtual opportunity to travel to various organizations via Zoom and learn more about how they impact the community. While we won’t have a seat on the bus for you as we have in years past when we have coordinated this great opportunity, we would be happy to send you a Zoom link! The event takes place on November 9 from 8 - 9:30 am. 
Corporate Champion Circle Members'
Employment Opportunities and Advancements

Hilltop Collision Center is hiring an automotive tech and tow driver. CLICK HERE to check out their FB page for the details

OTIS Federal Credit Union is looking for an IT/IS Specialist! Based in Jay, this Corporate Champion is another great place to work! For specifics on this job opportunity, visit www.otisfcu.coop/career/.  

Lots of advancement and opportunity at Bangor Savings Bank . Former United Way Board Dyan Macomber member accepts a VP position, and a new branch manager is hired! Check out the news HERE!

Congratulations to Dyan and welcome Danielle
Dyan Macomber
Vice President, Relationship Manager - Bangor Savings Bank
Danielle Middleton
New Branch Manager
Bangor Savings Bank
CROSS your WORDS the UNITED WAY
Click here to solve crossword puzzle
Check out our Facebook page for hints!
Answers: CLICK HERE
Hint for 5 across Comm----- Part----
COLOR ME UNITED 5K 2021
More than 300 runners and walkers had a blast participating in the fifth annual Color Me United 5k. Evan Wilcox and Destiny Clough were overall race winners. Visit uwtva.org for photos.

Winners by Age Group
Male 1-10 Ryland Dumont
Female 1-10 Keira Haynes
Male 11-19 JJ Greenlaw
Female 11-19 Haley Tschudy
Male 20-29 Colin Limberger
Female 20-29 Emily Cote
Male 30-39 Isaac Raymond
Female 30-39 Andrea Richards
Male 40-49 Peter Decarolis
Female 40-49 Erika Neal
Male 50-59 Kraige Schmitt
Female 50-59 Sarah Martin
Male 60+ Paul Mills
Female 60+ Marge Austin
CORPORATE CHAMPION CIRCLE MEMBERS
PLATINUM MEMBERS
GOLD MEMBERS
Horn & Company
SILVER MEMBERS
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It's never too late to
"Give a little, help a lot!"
Get Involved. Learn. 
Make a Difference. 
United Way of the Tri-Valley Area |
| info@uwtva.org | https://www.uwtva.org/