What We Do
Funded Partner Programs
United Way of Kennebec Valley (UWKV) supports 35 local nonprofit and school-based organizations by investing in 62 of their health and human service programs that address our community’s most critical issues.
5Through these partnerships, UWKV advances Impact2032’s 10-year visions for enhancing health, education, and financial stability in Kennebec County. Over the two-year current grant period (April 2025 to March 2027), we will invest over $2.1M from individuals and organizations to bolster community well-being. Community Investment Process (CIP) volunteers conduct a rigorous review of applicants, and UWKV’s Board of Directors ultimately votes to fund programs that align with Impact2032, measure progress, and contribute to shared community goals. Targeted outcomes guide funding decisions, demonstrating the tangible impact of investments in improving lives. Together with funded partner programs, investors and CIP volunteers, we strive to enhance early learning, financial security, and overall community health.
When you donate to United Way of Kennebec Valley, you can be confident that your dollars stay 100% local – supporting every person in every town across Kennebec County.
PARTNER PROGRAMS
HEALTHY COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Greenhouse to Your House
- First introduced in 2022, GHYH is an existing high-quality meal kit program designed collaboratively with community members and other stakeholders to combat food insecurity in the rural, low-income Greater Waterville area. There are no income restrictions to participate and GTYH is promoted as a fun, healthy family activity instead of a food assistance program, eliminating the sense of stigma in participating. The boxes contain pre-measured, nutritionally balanced ingredients, recipe cards, and enough food for at least six servings. We source the food from partnering grocery stores, the Central Maine Gleaning Group, and our on-site 42’ geodesic dome greenhouse.
- In 2025, the Greenhouse to Your House program was awarded $12,500 through the Community Investment Process.
AFB Marketplace
- Customers from Augusta & Manchester can visit once/month on Mon-Wed for a 100% self-selection, grocery-store like shopping experience. Monthly unique numbers have grown from 223 households, 512 individuals in 2021 to 338 households, 851 individuals in 2024.
- In 2025, the AFB Marketplace was awarded $14,500 through the Community Investment Process.
Foodshare
- Act as a hub by providing excess food products to smaller area food banks, low-income and senior apartments, group homes (alcohol/drug addiction), teen centers, and other organizations addressing food insecurity (Senior Spectrum, Bread of Life, Overnight Shelter, etc.)
- In 2025, the Foodshare program was awarded $15,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Free Food Thursday
- Customers from anywhere can visit weekly every Thursday for a 100% self-selection, grocery-store like shopping experience that provides surplus and excess items. 2004 statistics indicate that 96% of the customers utilizing this program reside in the Kennebec Valley. Our weekly unique numbers have risen sharply – from 52 households/174 individuals in 2021 to 81 households, 275 individuals in 2024.
- In 2025, Free Food Thursday was awarded $11,500 through the Community Investment Process
Soup Kitchen
- The Bread of Life Soup Kitchen has been a pillar in the Augusta Downtown community for 40 years. Each day this 30-seat soup kitchen feeds a breakfast, lunch and a to-go meal for more than 120 people in need. Our meals are served restaurant style to enhance the dignity of our guests. The food we provide is possible through generous donations and grants from the community. Bread of Life is a partner program of Good Shepherd Food Bank. The soup kitchen relies on the generous time of volunteers to prepare and serve this meal while also extending community to the unhoused and low-income that may otherwise not receive
- In 2025, the Soup Kitchen was awarded $35,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Seek Elderly Alone, Renew Courage & Hope (SEARCH)
- SEARCH provides free-to-access basic needs support to seniors ages 60+in Kennebec County and throughout ME. Our mission is to enable vulnerable seniors to remain independent and create a long-term support system to meet their needs. Most adults in our program live alone, are rural and low-income, and no longer drive, leading to social isolation. The majority are older women. We provide in-home volunteer support services: companionship, referrals and resources & food security assistance, transportation support for grocery shopping and getting to food pantries and medical appointments. At-risk seniors have (free of charge) volunteer–provided services they select to meet their social and wellness needs.
- In 2025, the SEARCH program was awarded $8,000 through a Basic Needs Grant.
Feeding the Hungry
- Because too many people in Kennebec County do not have the resources to eat healthy food, Faith Food Pantry exists to provide healthy food to those in need. We provide fresh produce, as well as canned, boxed, and frozen food to supplement this need. We provide these resources in an environment of choice so that people will have the food they want and will eat with less food waste. We also provide recipes so that people can use the produce & other food provided. We deliver food to about 10 families/week who are sick, disabled, homebound, or without transportation. Clients come to the Food Pantry to choose their food. Those whom we deliver food to also have choice in the food they receive. We call them beforehand to get their choices.
- In 2025, the Feeding the Hungry program was awarded $9,000 through a Basic Needs Grant.
Advocacy & Outreach Program
- Our Advocacy and Outreach program provides support for individuals impacted by domestic abuse in Kennebec County, offering advocacy, safety planning, and connection to critical resources. Advocates operate from outreach offices, working directly with survivors to navigate challenges and access community services. The program facilitates weekly support groups, fostering connection and resilience among participants, and provides emotional support and guidance during protection order hearings and other court proceedings. By collaborating with local service providers, law enforcement, and healthcare organizations, we strengthen a network of care that addresses the diverse needs of survivors, promoting safety, autonomy, and long-term well-being.
- In 2025, the Outreach program was awarded $35,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Community Coordinated Care Programs
- Recognizing that traditional office based dental services cannot fully meet the community’s needs, WCDC has developed Community Coordinated Care programs that share the common thread of using new models of care and the critical support of a Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC). These include 1. Partnership with a Pediatric Dentist who provides operating room based services for children whose age and/or developmental/behavioral challenges and severity of disease make in office care impossible. 2. Community based dental services, currently at Head Start programs that provide comprehensive dental services, providing a dental home for all participating children. 3. CDHC navigational services for management of complex care situations.
- In 2025, the Community Coordinated Care Programs were awarded $15,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Youth Programming & Membership Scholarships
- KVYMCA is dedicated to nurturing the potential of every youth and teen we serve through our youth programming and membership. As a longstanding community partner, we support the health and well-being of our community by offering enriching programs and educational opportunities. Our focus is on promoting Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. Through our Open Doors Scholarship program, we aim to create a welcoming environment for families in our community who need financial assistance to access Y programs and services. We provide supportive opportunities for youth, teens, and their families through recreational and structured activities.
- In 2025, the Youth Programming & Membership Scholarships program was awarded $22,500 through the Community Investment Process.
Alzheimer’s Care Center
- Our Alzheimer’s Care Center (ACC), located in Gardiner, Maine, opened our doors in 1988. Established as the first residential home in the U.S. designed exclusively for people in the early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease (and other dementias), the ACC provides full-time residential care, overnight respite care, monthly support groups, and Adult Day Services (ADS). Our Adult Day services allow people in the early stages of the disease to live at home for as long as possible, often delaying placement in long-term care facilities. The Center offers flexible hours that provides members with health services, personal care, socialization, and activities specific to their level of functionality. Our program emphasizes quality of life.
- In 2025, the Alzheimer’s Care Center was awarded $5,000 through a Basic Needs Grant.
Community Health Worker Program
- MaineGeneral’s Community Health Worker (CHW) program is designed to encourage healthy lifestyles through one-on-one support, skill building and resource navigation. Patients referred to the program participate in weekly meetings with a CHW, for up to six months, in a location of the patient’s choosing – their home, the grocery store, a local walking trail. During these meetings the CHW listens and learns about the patient, their life, the challenges they face, and their health goals. This profound understanding allows our CHWs to provide individualized support to the patient, such as: connecting them to resources; navigating health and social service systems; and working with them to achieve their self-determined health goals.
- In 2025, the Community Health Worker program was awarded $5,000 through a Basic Needs Grant.
Horizon Program
- MaineGeneral’s Horizon Program is located in Augusta, Maine, and serves people living with HIV/AIDs. The Program offers HIV care, primary care for those living with HIV, long- term case management, as well as dental and vision assistance, and emergency assistance for rent, mortgage, transportation, utilities and food. Through the Horizon Program, HIV-positive individuals receive quality, compassionate and comprehensive medical and social services. The program is supported by MaineGeneral, a Ryan White Part C grant and donations from individuals. In December 2024, MaineGeneral merged the HIV and Harm Reduction programs under one Director, Shane Gallagher, allowing us to better coordinate community education and mobile HIV testing services.
- In 2025, the Horizon program was awarded $5,000 through a Basic Needs Grant.
Hospice Support
- MaineGeneral Hospice brings comfort to patients and their families during end-of-life care. Hospice teams work with patients, their families and physician to understand and honor each patient’s wishes and offer companionship and support. The organization recruits and trains compassionate volunteers to provide practical and emotional support to patients and their families. Hospice also provides education and support groups for adults and children to help them manage loss and move forward in a healthy emotional state. These programs include Healing Hearts, Grief Support Groups and We Honor Veterans.
- In 2025, the Hospice program was awarded $10,000 through the Community Investment Process.
MaineGeneral Outpatient Counseling
- MaineGeneral Counseling offers assessment and treatment for substance use, mental health and co-occurring disorders to individuals, families and groups. Our counselors are licensed substance use disorder and mental health clinicians experienced in co-occurring and trauma-informed care. As part of MaineGeneral Health, our Counseling team works closely with medical and psychiatric providers to help clients deal with medical, mental health and substance use issues in an integrated way.
- In 2025, the Outpatient Counseling program was awarded $5,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Next Step Harm Reduction Program
- MaineGeneral’s Next Step Harm Reduction Program provides free and confidential education, HIV and Hepatitis C testing, condom dispensing, and syringe exchange in a safe, non-judgmental environment to individuals 18 years and over. Anyone can voluntarily access Harm Reduction services: no one is refused. The program has two syringe exchange locations, one in Augusta and one in Waterville. The exchanges are operated by two full-time and one part-time staff. The Program is primarily funded through grants and private donations.
- In 2025, the Next Step Harm Reduction program was awarded $14,000 through the Community Investment Process.
LINC Peer Support Center
- The LINC Center is a Peer-Run Recovery Center offering a safe, supportive space for individuals 18 and older seeking personal growth, recovery, and connection. Grounded in Intentional Peer Support, we foster mutual respect, empowerment, and resilience through peer-led programs addressing mental health, trauma, and substance use challenges. Participation is fully voluntary and requires no insurance or referrals, making LINC accessible to all. We provide diverse activities that promote wellness, community, and vocational growth, helping individuals overcome isolation and uncertainty and build a pathway to sustained wellness and self-determination.
- In 2025, the LINC Peer Support Center was awarded $24,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Children’s Advocacy Center
- The Children’s Advocacy Center is a child-friendly setting that offers safety, security and a wide range of victim services for children and families when there are disclosures or suspicions of sexual abuse. The CAC staff provide direct services to children and families in crisis. The CAC response works to reduce the impact of child sexual abuse by bringing together law enforcement, criminal justice, child protection, forensic interviewers, prosecution, mental health, medical and victim advocacy professionals in a child-friendly setting to investigate abuse, hold offenders accountable and most importantly help children heal from the trauma of sexual abuse and works to minimize the amount of times that children have to tell their story.
- In 2025, the Children’s Advocacy Center was awarded $45,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Meals on Wheels – Kennebec County
- Spectrum Generations’ mission is to promote and advance the well-being and independence of older and disabled adults, with the support of their care partners, to live in their community of choice. SG’s Meals on Wheels program provides delicious, nutritionally balanced meals for homebound individuals 60 years of age or older, and to persons with a disability who are unable to prepare a meal due to physical or mental limitations. Bringing these well-balanced meals and a safety check (conducted by SG’s dedicated volunteer drivers), directly to people’s homes improves food security and helps homebound residents of Kennebec County remain self-sufficient in their home, their neighborhood, and the community they choose to live in
- In 2025, the Meals on Wheels program was awarded $48,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Spurwink Responds: Expanding Access to Behavioral Health Care in Kennebec County
- Spurwink proposes to expand access to integrated behavioral health care in Kennebec County through two new initiatives: (1) adult Behavioral Health Home (A-BHH) care coordination to serve adults with serious mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorder; and (2) a new partnership with Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation (SKCDC) Head Start providing access to co-located Adult and Child Behavioral Health Homes (A-BHH and C-BHH) care coordination services for young children, parents/guardians, and their families. BHH is a team-based approach to case management that helps support people in navigating and strengthening access to behavioral and physical healthcare, making services easier to access for high-needs families.
- In 2025, Spudwink Responds was awarded $13,500 through an Innovation Grant.
Project 218 Camp Scholarships
- The YMCA Camp of Maine offers overnight camping experiences in one- and two- week sessions for youth ages 7 to 16. YCamp is a place where youth from all backgrounds become more familiar with each other and the outdoors. Camp provides a foundational camping experience where youth are able to experience leadership development and gain valuable skills in four program areas including waterfront, sports, outdoor life skills and creative arts. Our screen and phone-free environment fully immerses campers in nature and the outdoors. We believe in equitable access to the outdoors and camping, and recognize that many communities have been historically underrepresented in outdoor spaces and we are committed to changing that.
- In 2025, the Project 218 Scholarships program was awarded $5,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Winthrop Area YMCA Youth & Family Programs
- The Winthrop Area YMCA is driven by the core mission of the YMCA movement, which is to “put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.” This mission guides their programming choices and helps them ensure that everyone—regardless of age, background, or financial situation—has access to opportunities for personal growth, health, and community connection. Their focus on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility stems from a commitment to creating a positive, inclusive environment where all members can thrive. From playing a Youth Sport, to hosting the area Christmas Angels our YMCA continues to be able to find and meet the needs of our community.
- In 2025, the Winthrop Area YMCA Youth and Family programs were awarded $10,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Food, Connections, and Support Services
- The Waterville Area Soup Kitchen (WASK) will continue to provide nutritious breakfast and lunch meals on Monday through Friday each week to individuals and families in the Waterville area (Waterville, Winslow, Oakland, Sidney, Benton, and Fairfield) who are food insecure. By offering a venue where individuals feel comfortable and serving as a connector to social service providers, WASK provides a space for social service providers to deliver comprehensive support to those who come for a meal, including services supporting recovery, behavioral health, housing, and career development. From July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, 76 individuals (30% of those receiving food) sought additional assistance at the WASK from other service providers.
- In 2025, the Food, Connection, and Support Services program was awarded $8,000 through a Basic Needs Grant.
Food Pantry
- We are requesting funding to address rising food costs and ensure the continuation of our core mission: providing food to individuals and families in need in Winthrop and Wayne. Our program serves as a critical resource for those facing food insecurity in these communities.
- In 2025, the Food Pantry was awarded $19,000 through the Community Investment Process.
YOUTH OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS
KidsPaks
- Provide 6 meals and snacks weekly to students attending Augusta Schools, Maranacook Schools, Augusta Teen Center, Augusta Childcare, Lithgow Library, Augusta Children’s Center and to the Augusta Recreation Department during summer months when schools are closed, who distribute them at 6 area playgrounds every Friday.
- In 2025, the KidsPaks program was awarded $5,000 through a Basic Needs Grant.
Community-Based Mentoring in Kennebec County
- BBBS of Mid-Maine matches screened, trained adults one-to-one with children (ages 5 to 16) in Kennebec County communities, who are facing adversity, to provide friendships and positive role-modeling. Community matches build healthy, trusting relationships by meeting 1 to 6 hours, once a week, doing things they mutually enjoy, like playing sports, doing crafts, and exploring the Maine outdoors. Littles in our program consistently have higher aspirations, better relationships with families/peers, are less likely to try drugs/alcohol and other risky behaviors, and have greater educational success. BBBSMM mentoring helps clear the path for youth to reach their greatest possible potential.
- In 2025, the Community-Based Mentoring program was awarded $5,000 through the Community Investment Process.
School-Based Mentoring in Kennebec County
- We are requesting funding for our current RSU18 programs at the Atwood, Williams, and China Primary Schools. Those programs have increased their numbers significantly over the last 2 years and continue to grow. We currently have over 40 matches between these schools. Our primary area of growth in Kennebec County is in Augusta – we had a program at the Gilbert school historically, but we have pivoted to working with the Buker Center afterschool program (run through the city). This gives us a central location with a significant number of Littles that we can serve. Our primary sources of Bigs are Cony High School and participants of the Augusta Teen Center. Our goal is to have 10 matches there by the end of the academic year.
- In 2025, the Igniting Potential Through School-Based Mentoring program was awarded $13,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Family Mentor Teams
- Family Mentor Teams (FMTs) are the heart and soul of CANMP, our largest and longest-running program. A new immigrant family who arrives in the capital area may choose to work with an FMT. For each family, CANMP recruits and trains a team of 4-5 local volunteers, connects that team to the family, and offers ongoing volunteer support. Team members work together to provide logistical, social, and educational support to help their new neighbors adjust to life in central Maine — everything from tutoring and transportation to social integration and sharing celebrations and job. The FMTs not only help meet their family’s ongoing material and practical needs, they also help build long-lasting relationships between immigrants and long-time Mainers.
- In 2025, the Family Mentor Teams program was awarded $5,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Prevention Education Program
- The Prevention Education Program offers programs, training, and resource information to youth and community. The educators work within the local school systems, early childhood learning groups, and community organizations/businesses. The Prevention program strives to both raise awareness and improve the community response to victims of domestic abuse. Youth-based programming works to promote healthy relationships, provide opportunities to report child abuse, and inform youth of the availability of services for them and their family. Community-based programs work to build knowledge and best practices when working with folks who are impacted by domestic abuse. This can be policy review, training, and general support to staff.
- In 2025, the Prevention Education program was awarded $20,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Coalition Groups: Intergenerational mentorship for middle-grade girls and nonbinary youth
- Coalition Groups empower middle-grade girls and nonbinary youth in Kennebec County by fostering community, leadership, and resilience. Using a research-based curriculum, these 6-week sessions explore topics like media literacy, healthy relationships, and challenging gender stereotypes. Each group completes a social action project, amplifying youth voices, developing leadership skills and creating positive change within their school environment. Offered for free in public schools and community spaces, the program ensures accessibility for those facing transportation challenges. This year, we’re enhancing the program with an intergenerational mentorship model. College student Muses will co-facilitate weekly sessions with retirees, combining.
- In 2025, Hardy Girls was awarded $5,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Kennebec Family Enrichment Council
- In an effort to increase children’s access to high quality early learning experiences and reduce barriers to basic needs, the Kennebec Family Enrichment Council (FEC) facilitates parenting education and parenting support groups; distributes concrete supports like diapers and wipes, clothing, safety gates, and formula; and organizes family-friendly events to build community and enhance social connections. All programs are free and open to any resident of Kennebec County. All activities are planned using the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework to promote protective factors that reduce the impacts of risk factors or stressful events, while at the same time promoting healthy development and positive experiences.
- In 2025, the Kennebec Family Enrichment Council was awarded $5,000 through the Community Investment Process.
South End Teen Center
- The South End Teen Center (SETC) is located on the KVCAP campus in the heart of the South End Neighborhood of Waterville. It was created in 2002. The SETC serves youth in grades 6–12; the majority of members live in the South End, but over the years SETC has had youth attend from other neighborhoods as well as other nearby towns. The SETC provides tutoring, mentoring, and homework support; enrichment activities including cooking, gardening, art projects, music lessons, and field trips; and life skills programming such as soft skills for employment, stress management and conflict resolution.
- In 2025, the South End Teen Center was awarded $14,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Youth Peer Support
- Kennebec Behavioral Health (KBH) is seeking to employ a part-time Youth Peer Support Specialist to provide direct peer support services to youth and young adults, ages 14-26, who are residing in KBH’s Young Adult Psychiatric Residential Treatment (PNMI) program and its newly acquired crisis residential facilities. This position will enhance transitional supports, community integration, and self-determination by offering guidance from individuals with lived experience navigating behavioral health services and related life transitions.
- In 2025, the Youth Peer Support Program was awarded $20,000 through an Innovation Grant.
Kennebec County Dolly Parton Imagination Library (KC-DPIL)
- DLC aligns with LVK’s mission statement, to promote and advocate for literacy, and addresses advocacy and awareness for literacy from early to adult education. Addressing educational disparities through equitable learning services, meeting social and educational needs, all relevant in achieving improved outcomes of employability and self-sufficiency. An extremely significant focus is on digital access disparities that are addressed by the DCL Digital Access Project. This project provides tablets/laptops to tutors and learners so they can work collaboratively, communicate, complete learning tasks, and learners develop the capacity to utilize technology in real-world ways.
- In 2025, the KC-DPIL was awarded $7,800 through an Innovation Grant.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program
- MaineGeneral’s Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program offers healthy foods as well as nutrition education, breastfeeding/chestfeeding support, tips for staying healthy, recipes and referrals to other health care and community resources. WIC is open to anyone living in Maine, including migrants working in Maine. Applicants can be: women and birthing parents who are pregnant, breastfeeding, chestfeeding, or had a baby in the last six months; infants and children up to age five, including adopted and foster children; and non-birthing parents or guardians who apply for their children. Our main offices are located in Augusta, Waterville and Skowhegan. We also have outreach clinics in Winthrop, Gardiner, Madison and Pittsfield.
- In 2025, the WIC Supplemental Nutrition program was awarded $11,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Early Care & Education
- SKCDC is a Head Start/Early Head Start grantee. These early care and education programs provide high quality, comprehensive, multi-generational programming to low income, at-risk children in our community, including engaging and supporting families to ensure success beyond their Head Start years. A primary goal of our program is school readiness. Our comprehensive School Readiness Plan acknowledges the importance of close partnership with families to ensure the best possible child outcomes. The primary purpose of our United Way funding request is to support continuity of care in full day/full year programming. Funds will also be used to meet emergent needs of enrolled families in crisis.
- In 2025, the Early Care & Education program was awarded $31,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Winthrop Area YMCA Kids Club
- The Winthrop Area YMCA Kids Club Program is designed to provide a supportive and engaging environment for children, focusing on after-school care and enrichment activities. As part of the YMCA’s mission to promote youth development, the Kids Club often includes a variety of structured activities aimed at fostering physical, social, and emotional growth. Common features of the program may include: Supervised care for children after school hours, allowing parents to work or deal with other commitments. Participants receive homework help, tutoring, and enriching activities that promote learning and skill development in a fun setting.
- In 2025, the Kids Club program was awarded $5,000 through the Community Investment Process.
KidsPacks and Classroom Healthy Snacks
- We provide weekend KidsPacks to children throughout the year. Some are sent home through the schools, others are given to families with children when they come to the food pantry. During the school year we provide snacks to grade school classrooms in addition to the guidance counselors, social workers and school nurses at all three schools. The population of the Winthrop Public Schools is 840. 237 children are served through the grade school snack program, 34 students receive the weekend KidsPacks at school and 249 children receive weekend KidsPacks directly from the food pantry.
- In 2025, KidsPacks and Classroom Healthy Snacks was awarded $4,000 through a Basic Needs Grant.
FINANCIAL SECURITY PROGRAMS
- 211 is a free, confidential information and referral service that connects people of all ages across Maine to local services. 211 Maine is based in Maine and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- In 2025, 211 Maine 24/7 Services was awarded $41,578 through the Community Investment Process.
Supporting Family Futures
- Supporting Family Futures is a program that empowers Kennebec County parents to earn credentials and receive technical training as a means of increasing their employment prospects and achieving financial independence. By offering free childcare at our multiple Kennebec County sites to parents enrolled in degree and certificate programs, we will eliminate a major barrier preventing parents from receiving the education and training necessary to achieve financial security.
- In 2025, the Supporting Family Futures program was awarded $24,500 through the Community Investment Process.
Transportation Costs
- The Augusta Teen Center (ATC) uses a van to provide transportation assistance for low-income teens to travel from school to the ATC, to and from career opportunities, and to locations where the teens can engage in service to the community or other activities. In 2024, ATC provided access to rides for 116 teens, allowing them to engage in learning opportunities, career exploration, relationship building, and opportunities to connect with peers and the community. Due to transportation barriers, many of these youth would otherwise be unable to access the supportive programs and services at the ATC. Supporting access to these opportunities helps to advance equity with many of the underserved youth that the ATC serves.
- In 2025, Transportation Costs was awarded $5,000 through a Basic Needs Grant.
Alternatives To Suspension (A2S)
- The Alternatives to Suspension Program (A2S) offers at-risk middle and high school students a structured, supervised alternative to school suspension. When A2S is successful, students are guided to an early and coordinated re-entry into their routine academic programming and to a reduced likelihood of repeated suspensions. The A2S Program is designed to help teenagers learn from their mistakes, using their minor offenses as opportunities to teach better problem solving, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills development. Youth participate in community service, receive mentoring support, and acquire the skills needed to evolve into productive and responsible community members. In 2024, 200 teens participated in the program.
- In 2025, A2S was awarded $12,500 through the Community Investment Process
Scholarship Programming
- Program Scholarships provide access to a safe place, enriching activities, learning opportunities, homework help, and fun and caring adult professionals for all kids, regardless of their families’ ability to pay. The target population for the Child Care and Program Scholarships is children ages six weeks to grade 12 who are from families with low to moderate income or families dealing with short-term emergency situations (such as loss of one income or family illness). Child Care and Program Scholarships offer reduced rates for children who may not have the opportunity to participate in Club programs due to their families’ financial ability to pay associated program costs.
- In 2025, the Scholarship program was awarded $45,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Homeless Shelter
- The services that Bread of Life provides are part of a holistic package that begins with addressing food security, safe shelter, case management, and then transitioning into permanent housing. We have a high success rate with our programming and work closely with many local community diversion programs. In our family shelter, each family has their own private room, which is located on a separate floor from our single clients. Single clients have their own bed bunk and share a maximum of four people. Case management works directly with each client, to develop a plan of care providing the resources to become self-sustainable, develop a budget, set goals for developing a housing plan and address the barriers that lead them to homelessness.
- In 2025, the Homeless Shelter was awarded $25,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Better Housing Program
- CANMP’s Better Housing Program helps families find, finance, and furnish appropriate, affordable housing. We help families find appropriate housing by assisting them with filling out applications, taking them to view potential homes, and negotiating with landlords on their behalf. We offer micro-loans to help families pay for security deposits and first month’s rent. These loans are repaid with no interest, allowing the funds to be cycled through the community. We own 5 units and rent 4 additional units for which we co-sign leases, collect rent, and do basic property maintenance. We also offer homeowner education to help families understand how to maintain their homes.
- In 2025, the Better Housing program was awarded $7,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Language Program
- CANMP’s Language Learning program provides structured, in-person language instruction for immigrant students. Held twice a week at the Augusta Multicultural Center, the classes are taught by Nancy Kelly, a certified ELL teacher with four decades of teaching experience in Augusta schools, and assisted by CANMP’s bilingual our community coordinator, who serves as an interpreter in addition to role as a community coordinator. We offer Beginner and Intermediate level classes. With support from the United Way, we already added an entry-level New Arrival class for students who arrive with no English skills whatsoever. This is taught in six-week modules on an ongoing basis and will serve as a feeder class for the Beginner class.
- In 2025, the Language program was awarded $7,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Waterville Area Essentials Closet
- The Waterville Area Essentials Closet serves anyone who comes to us in need. We offer personal care and home care items. The following items are available 6 days a month: Toothbrush, toothpaste, razors, shave cream, bath soap, shampoo, deodorant, feminine hygiene items, adult undergarments, cleaning products, laundry detergent, dish detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissues, and baby diapers. Items are limited.
- In 2024, the Waterville Area Essentials Closet was awarded special one-year funding of $8,000 through a Basic Needs Grant.
Kennebec Community Investors
- The Poverty Action Coalition (PAC) is a group of individuals and organizations who work to address barriers to health and financial stability. The Kennebec Community Investors (KCI) and the PAC are both facilitated by KVCAP. The KCI initiative secures financial contributions from local donors to address specific challenges to an individual or family’s stability when no other resource exists. Common requests are for car repairs to maintain employment, beds for safe sleeping, and medical needs. Supporting activities include providing monthly laundromat credits and hygiene and cleaning supplies at the Waterville Area Soup Kitchen at the Lighthouse. These grassroots efforts are intended to reach our most vulnerable community members.
- In 2025, the Kennebec Community Investors program was awarded $3,000 through the a Basic Needs Grant.
KVCAP Whole Families
- KVCAP Child & Family Services embraces a multi-generational approach in its service delivery to best support families in their pathways towards stability and success. We refer specifically to Ascend at the Aspen Institute to consider our approaches and opportunities for strengthening services and collaborations. Staff work with families as experts and meaningfully engage parents of young children in designing policies and programs that affect them in order to develop holistic, integrated, and equity-focused solutions. This family-centered lens helps to immediately identify whole families’ needs and goals to inform integrations and alignments to programs that serve them, which maximizes long-term impact for at-risk families and communities
- In 2025, KVCAP Whole Families was awarded $7,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Mobility Management
- The Mobility Management program operates under a “one size does not fill all” philosophy that focuses on providing the residents of Kennebec County with a variety of travel options that allows them to participate fully in their communities. Services providing travel assistance include but may not be limited to: KV van door-to-door service on accessible vehicles, volunteer drivers’ mileage reimbursement, gas cards, taxi vouchers, Explorer public bus passes, travel training, and bicycles/adult tricycles.
- In 2025, the Mobility Management program was awarded $10,000 through the Community Investment Process.
VITA
- The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is an IRS designed initiative providing free tax preparation to low/moderate income tax filers, helping to ensure that under-served populations are able to file their taxes. KVCAP subcontracts with New Ventures Maine to coordinate the program on behalf of the Central Maine CA$H coalition. The initiative brings together volunteers and community organizations helping the program outreach to the community, implement the tax preparation services, and provide information, education and resources to tax filers. The program empowers community members to take control of their money and put it to work strategically and effectively to build a solid foundation to create a financially secure future
- In 2025, VITA was awarded $13,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Learning Center
- Our Learning Center is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and their families. We foster supportive relationships, create developmentally appropriate experiences and encourage the unique and diverse qualities of all children and their families. We can offer access to affordable, quality childcare to families in the Kennebec Valley area. We provide care for children ranging from 6 wks-5yrs of age from 7am to 5:30pm. The after-school program offers care from 3-5:30pm, for children ages 5-12 during school along with workshop days, vacation days, and snow days. Our unique facility, environment, and resources provide the Learning Center children participation in activities beyond the classroom such as swimming and gym activities.
- In 2025, the Learning Center was awarded $10,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Legal Assistance for Older Tenants
- This program will provide free legal representation to older tenants who are facing situations that are making them housing insecure and financially unstable. Attorneys will provide free legal help with a variety of housing problems including eviction, denials of rental assistance, denials of a reasonable accommodation requests, unsafe housing conditions, and denials or terminations of housing subsidies. Attorneys will also ensure older tenants are connected to other community resources that will improve their financial stability and housing security. Seamless initial access to services will be provided via LSE’s Helpline. Those without access to a phone will be offered other alternatives.
- In 2025, the Legal Assistance for Older Tenants program was awarded $15,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Digital and Community Literacy
- DLC aligns with LVK’s mission statement, to promote and advocate for literacy, and addresses advocacy and awareness for literacy from early to adult education. Addressing educational disparities through equitable learning services, meeting social and educational needs, all relevant in achieving improved outcomes of employability and self-sufficiency. An extremely significant focus is on digital access disparities that are addressed by the DCL Digital Access Project. This project provides tablets/laptops to tutors and learners so they can work collaboratively, communicate, complete learning tasks, and learners develop the capacity to utilize technology in real-world ways.
- In 2025, the Literacy Volunteers of Kennebec program was awarded $18,000 through the Community Investment process
Journey Program
- Journey Program provides young parents with the tools, skills, and resources they need to grow as individuals but also what is essential to create a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for their child or their children. The program provides an environment where participants are empowered by having not only the individualized support needed to build their own unique “tool box,” but having the ability to participate in peer group meetings to learn, share experiences and receive guided support. Participants are assisted in navigating the often murky waters of academics, parenting, giving birth, child care, employment, connection with needed resources for economic mobility, hopefully changing generational patterns and poverty.
- In 2025, the Journey program was awarded $13,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Emergency Shelter
- The Emergency Shelter at MMHSS supports our vulnerable community members experiencing homelessness. We work to make the experience of homelessness rare, brief, and non-reoccurring. Our 56-bed year-round emergency shelter is the only low-barrier shelter in central Maine and one of only 5 in the entire state. We welcome guests regardless of sobriety, mental illness, or history of incarceration. Over the last three years we have assessed and stabilized more people than any other privately operated shelter in Maine. This year we will expand our program by becoming the only shelter in the state to offer on-site recovery services. This radical innovation will connect housing and healthcare sectors by co-locating programs and services.
- In 2025, the Emergency Shelter was awarded $20,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Young Adults Empowerment Supports Program (YES)
- Youth Empowerment Supports (YES) operates an site-based Housing First program designed to support vulnerable young adults by providing secure, stable housing paired with essential life-skill development. This program includes one-bedroom apartments, efficiency units, and private rooms, creating a safe and supportive environment for young adults facing housing and co-occurring life challenges. Beyond housing, YES offers resources like career development, financial training, and a Young Adult Committee, which empowers residents to take an active role in community management. This approach fosters independence, personal growth, and the foundation needed for youth to thrive in their journeys toward self-sufficiency.
- In 2025, YES was awarded $5,000 through the Community Investment Process.
Bridge to Basics
- The “Bridge to Basics Program” supports New Mainer families who arrive with very little, having lost everything they once had. Struggling to stay afloat, these families often find it difficult to meet their basic needs, especially when regular state assistance falls short. The program will provide essential resources like food, housing assistance, transportation, and clothing, as well as temporary financial aid for utilities and healthcare. By addressing immediate needs, the program helps families stay above water, offering a lifeline when state support is insufficient, and enabling them to build a stable, self-sufficient future in their new community.
- In 2025, the Bridge to Basics was awarded $5,000 through a Basic Needs Grant.
Homeless/Hunger Prevention Services
- The Rural Homeless-Hunger Prevention (HHP) program is at the heart of Rural Community Action Ministry’s (RCAM’s) mission to reach out to vulnerable rural Maine residents to meet their basic needs. Each core program service addresses specific barriers facing the target population, focusing on increased financial independence. Low-income people in crisis become more financially stable as a result of program services and resources. The core principles of RCAM’s service delivery approach focus on family/individual self-empowerment and personal responsibility and accountability, recognizing that all people and families have strengths yet may need and deserve support. The kinds of support, how much support is needed, varies throughout life.
- In 2025, the Homeless/Hunger Prevention Services was awarded $23,500 through the Community Investment Process.
South Parish Congregational Church Augusta Emergency Overnight Warming Center
- The Augusta Emergency Overnight Warming Center is a low (no requirement for sobriety, no background checks), emergency overnight center that supports up to 50 unhoused community members each to night to provide a bed, warm, and safe place to sleep during the coldest months of the year. The center currently operates from November 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025 from 5:00 pm-7:00 am each evening. Through low-barrier access, many of the unhoused community are able to access life-saving resources through our center, when they would otherwise not meet the eligibility requirements for admittance to other area shelters. The center does not refuse support to anyone based on criminal background, substance use disorder, or mental health diagnosis.
- In 2025, South Parish Congregational Church Augusta Emergency Overnight Warming Center was awarded $10,000 through the Community Investment Process
UCLC Community Health Worker Program
- UCLC is a nonprofit org. created to provide resources and opportunities to those living in the crisis of poverty who may be unhoused or unstably housed, including ALICE households. UCLC works with people that require low barrier services; their acute medical, mental health, substance use, or criminal history make them ineligible for services from most agencies. Many unhoused people have lost trust in professions meant to serve them and are wary of developing relationships with professionals. The UCLC will prioritize serving unhoused people needing low barrier services with a high touch, person centered CHW model that begins with building relationships, establishing trust and rapport, and providing support, motivation, and accountability
- In 2025, the UCLC Community Health Worker Program was awarded $15,000 through an Innovation Grant.
