What would it look like if more people across Kennebec County had opportunities to feel seen, valued and needed—to know that they matter?
That question has become an important thread in the work of the Impact2032 Health Cabinet, particularly as members look for existing resources and community efforts that can help reduce isolation and strengthen connection.
One tangible example is Maine Youth Thriving’s Mattering Cabins—community spaces intended to encourage connection, conversation and belonging. After learning more about the initiative from Maine Youth Thriving, the Health Cabinet began exploring how its own network could help expand its reach throughout Kennebec County. The Cabinet is now taking a systematic approach, tracking communities and potential locations across the county and connecting interested organizations and municipalities with Maine Youth Thriving for support.
Picture credit: Maine Youth Thriving
There are already local examples to build from. Gardiner Area Thrives, Healthy Communities of the Capital Area’s (HCCA) Drug-Free Communities coalition, helped bring three Mattering Cabins to MSAD 11, with youth groups involved in taking ownership of some of the spaces. In Augusta, Augusta Kiwanis initiated the idea of bringing a Mattering Cabin to the Augusta School Department and reached out to HCCA to co-present the concept to the district. Augusta Kiwanis member Carrie Arsenault has also been a Gardiner Area Thrives coalition member for seven years. Another Health Cabinet connection has resulted in plans for a cabin at Buker Community Center in Augusta.
But the conversations sparked through the Cabinet have extended beyond the cabins themselves. HCCA has also been advancing work centered on mattering and belonging, including youth-led efforts and community initiatives designed to strengthen connection. Through conversations about that work, United Way has been able to help connect HCCA with others pursuing similar goals—including Maine Youth Thriving, the Cool Neighborhood Association in Waterville and the Maine Coalition for Social Connection—to explore where their efforts may complement one another.
Those connections reflect an important part of Impact2032: the work does not always begin with creating something new. Sometimes progress comes from identifying promising work already happening, bringing the right people together and helping ideas and resources travel farther.
As the Health Cabinet continues its work, members will keep looking for opportunities to connect communities with Mattering Cabins and other efforts that build connection, joy and belonging—helping more people across Kennebec County know that they matter.
Learn more about UWKV’s Impact2032 initiative here: Impact2032 – United Way of Kennebec Valley
