United Way Kennebec Valley Newsletter

UWKV is seeking dedicated volunteers to join the 2025–2027 Community Investment Process (CIP). As a volunteer, you will play a key role in deciding how donor dollars are allocated to programs that improve health, education and financial stability in our community.

This is your chance to make a tangible impact by helping ensure funds are directed where they are needed most. If you’re ready to get involved, contact Katelyn at KPushard@uwkv.org to be added to our volunteer interest list.

Join us in building a stronger, healthier Kennebec County!

AUGUSTA, ME — UWKV is bringing attention to critical community issues through its impactful 2024 “Unignorable” campaign. With two featured posters on education inequality and childhood hunger, UWKV emphasizes barriers that prevent children in Kennebec County from realizing their potential, affecting both their well-being and the community’s future. Conceptualized and illustrated by UWKV’s Director of Marketing Michelle Tibbetts, these visuals capture the urgency of tackling educational and nutritional disparities in a way that resonates with community members.

Education Inequality: A Barrier to Lifelong Success

One of the latest highlighted posters addresses the reality of education inequality, a challenge impacting many children in Kennebec County. While 82.6% of Maine’s third graders currently meet or exceed state expectations for reading, economically disadvantaged students face substantial obstacles, with only 76.6% reaching this benchmark. This disparity has lasting effects on health and economic stability, ultimately holding communities back from reaching their full potential.

“Education inequality feels like a door that’s always closed for some, while others walk right through,” explains Tibbetts, who developed the “Unignorable” visuals to encourage viewers to confront these often-hidden challenges. “These illustrations are designed to evoke empathy and create a deeper awareness of issues that don’t just affect individuals — they impact all of us.”

In 2025, UWKV will celebrate 70 years of building strong, healthy communities, giving all kids equal opportunities and improving financial stability for everyone. As we look ahead to this milestone year, we’re excited to share our 2025 sponsorship opportunities!

Your sponsorship helps offset operational costs, ensuring that more funds go directly to supporting the 58 local nonprofit and school-based organizations that make a difference every day.

We invite you to join us in making 2025 a year to remember. Explore the opportunities and help us create an Unignorable Impact in Kennebec County. Sponsorship commitments are requested by January 24, so benefits can begin in February.

UWKV is seeking a detail-oriented Administrative & Database Assistant to support our annual fundraising campaign and community investment initiatives. This role is essential to keeping our operations efficient and impactful, with a focus on managing donor data, supporting grants and assisting with vital administrative tasks.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain and ensure the accuracy of our donor management software.
• Support campaign events and donor engagement efforts.
• Assist with grant applications and volunteer review processes.
• Provide administrative support.

We’re looking for someone who is organized, tech-savvy and passionate about making a difference in our community. If you thrive on attention to detail and love contributing to meaningful work, this is your chance to be part of something bigger.

Central Maine CA$H is a partnership across Kennebec and Somerset counties dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve financial stability. During tax season, CA$H offers free tax preparation to qualified filers and connects hard-working households with resources to increase income, reduce debt and build savings.

CA$H is seeking volunteers to join its team this tax season! No experience? No problem — free training is provided. Roles include:

• Greeters: Welcome tax filers and support the intake process.
• Tax Preparers: File taxes in person or from home.
• Opportunity Guides: Share financial resources with tax filers.

Volunteering is a great way to enhance financial literacy, communication, and tax preparation skills while giving back to the community.

Interested? Visit cashmaine.org for more information or contact KVCAP at 207-859-1542 or wandas@kvcap.org.

The following is a success story from Bread of Life (BOL), a partner program of United Way. Your donations support this program and many others across the county.

Last April, on a rainy cold day, I (a BOL employee) overheard a gentleman come in and ask my receptionist for a dry pair of socks. Something that happens regularly. I overheard more of the interaction, and I could hear the panic and stress in this gentleman’s voice rise. As the receptionist gathered what he needed I offered him a cup of coffee and voiced my concern on how soaking wet he was.

As I handed him the cup of coffee, he started crying and explaining his current situation and why he was soaked. I tried to calm him and told him we could get him a dry shirt and jacket too. I refilled his coffee and also brought him a sandwich from the soup kitchen. He explained that this “wasn’t who he was” and “he was better than this.”

The gentleman, Shon, went on to explain that he got in a “tight spot” and had to couch surf. Then the landlord found out and he got kicked out – which is when he started to live in the woods.