In Kennebec County, Maine,
41 percent of households struggle
to make ends meet.

At United Way, we mobilize hundreds of business and nonprofit partners, as well as thousands of donors, volunteers and advocates, to advance an equitable Kennebec County where all households can thrive.

UNITED WAY OF KENNEBEC VALLEY

INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY

United Way of Kennebec Valley (UWKV) unites people and resources to improve lives in our community.

UWKV works to build strong, healthy communities; give all kids equal opportunities; and improve financial stability for everyone — creating a thriving Kennebec County for every person in our community. We invest in local health and human service programs whose missions align with our focus of improving prevention and wellness services, providing early educational opportunities, and promoting the training and resources needed to achieve economic well-being.

We are more than fundraisers. We advocate for systemic policy changes and promote diversity and inclusion practices that create a healthier, more equitable community. We are the hand raisers and the game changers.

| WHAT WE DO

AN UNIGNORABLE IMPACT

ALICE — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. More than 41% of Kennebec County households fall below what is known as the ALICE Threshold — not making enough to meet a basic cost of living.  ALICE households and households in poverty are forced to make tough choices, such as deciding between quality child care or paying rent — choices that have long-term consequences not only for their families, but for all. So often, ALICE is ignored. At UWKV, ALICE is our “why,” and we are working every day to lift ALICE up! 
Help us make ALICE UNIGNORABLE – igniting policy and livelihood changes so that all can thrive.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Building Strong,
Healthy Communities

Health affects individual experiences as well as families, communities and schools – impacting the economy in terms of financial and productivity costs.

Giving All Kids
Equal Opportunities

Our ability to support children in reaching their full potential academically impacts the well-being of the entire community. Education achievement correlates with health, income and long-term success.

Improving Financial
Stability for Everyone

Reducing poverty and increasing financial stability are sound social investments for Kennebec County – generating strong returns to society in the form of reduced expenditures on health care, decreased crime rates...

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Graphic illustration of domestic violence. A white silhouette of a women with a black tear with someone yelling at her in the negative space.

Building Strong,
Healthy Communities

Health impacts not only individual experiences but also families, schools, and communities, affecting the economy through financial and productivity costs. For our 2024 campaign, we have created five illustrations that depict social issues affecting health and wellness in our community. You can view them through the link below.

Giving All Kids
Equal Opportunities

Our ability to support children in reaching their full potential academically impacts the well-being of the entire community. Education achievement correlates with health, income and long-term success. For our 2024 campaign, we have created two illustrations that depict social issues affecting education in our community. You can view them through the link below.

Improving Financial
Stability for Everyone

Reducing poverty and increasing financial stability are sound social investments – generating strong returns to society in the form of reduced expenditures on health care, decreased crime rates and more. For our 2024 campaign, we have created three illustrations that depict social issues affecting financial stability in our community. You can view them through the link below.

We're making Alice unignorable

Play Video

View a full reading of each of the ALICE stories used in the campaign video below. 

Play Video

Dorianne's Story

Play Video

Laura's Story

Play Video

Kehli's Story

| BY THE NUMBERS

OUR IMPACT

Together, we are making a lasting impact on Kennebec County. Together, we can accomplish anything! These numbers reflect
our impact in 2023.

Invested into the community.
$ 0 M
Nonprofit & school-based
programs funded.
0
Businesses, schools, municipalities
and nonprofits partnering to make a difference.
0
Calls to 211 Maine, a free contact center linking Mainers to health and human services.
0
People helped — 30.1% of the population.
0
Local donors giving
back annually.
0 K
UWKV has evolved to improve tens of thousands of lives across Kennebec County, ME.
Since 0
Tax dollars returned through Central Maine CA$H Coalition.
$ 0

IMPACT STORIES

Your dollars change lives.

KBH Client Story

Kennebec Behavioral Health's (KBH’s) Outreach Program received a report of a man living in inhabitable conditions. When staff members went to find him, he was ...
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Ricky’s Story

Ricky (a pseudonym), who was an early participant in Snow Pond’s StoryCorps sessions at Waterville’s South End Teen Center (SETC), which began in June 2022. ...
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Sandra’s Story

Sandra (pseudonym) a woman in her early 50’s was newly released from Maine State Prison and living at the Bread of Life Shelter recalls feeling ...
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Jessi & Ryan’s Story

Jessi and Ryan’s eight-month-old daughter Beatrice is a student in the Chickadee’s classroom and their two-year-old son, Arlo, is a student in the Raven’s classroom ...
Read More →

Jule’s Story

Before the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) opened its doors in 2012, young victims would be subjected to multiple interviews with many different systems and investigating ...
Read More →

Albert’s Story

Albert received help from MaineGeneral’s Horizon Program with purchasing a rolling walker that allowed him to go the Fryeburg Fair for the first time in ...
Read More →

| MAKING A DIFFERENCE

HOW WE LIVE UNITED

Play Video

Embracing and Championing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
in Kennebec Valley: Our Commitment to a Better Future

EQUITY IS WHEN ALL ARE

.

Top Corporate Partners

Our business partners are essential to UWKV’s success in the community. The following businesses and their generous employees made up 58% of UWKV’s annual campaign last year. We are grateful to not only these 12 businesses, but all of our campaign partners for their ongoing support and partnership.

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