United Way of Greater Portland can connect you with one-time opportunities and events that help our community, tools for hosting a collection of needed items, as well as ongoing and regularly scheduled opportunities that support long-lasting change and Thrive2027 goals. You can choose what moves you!
Every month we share a Volunteer Engagement Newsletter with opportunities to engage throughout Greater Portland. Here are some of the highlights from February’s Volunteer Newsletter.
FEBRUARY IS 211 MONTH
This February we will celebrate 211 Maine, the free, confidential information and referral service that helps connects thousands of Mainers every month find needed services. Stay tuned for celebratory details throughout the month, and a special resolution proclamation on 2/11/20.
CONNECT PEOPLE TO FINANCIAL RESOURCES THIS TAX SEASON
CA$H Greater Portland (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) Opportunity Guides assist tax site clients with the intake process, discuss financial goals and challenges, and provide information about local programs and services to help increase their financial stability. Opportunity Guide volunteers receive orientation and training, as well as meals during shifts. Volunteers commit to serve for a minimum of four shifts during the tax season (late January – April). Shifts at our central site in Portland are from 5 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and 8:30 a.m. – 2 or 3 p.m. on Saturdays. To learn more about this opportunity to help people access valuable resources, please email Kerrie Keller, kkeller@unitedwaygp.org.
THRIVE2027 COMMUNITY EVENT
United Way of Greater Portland, serving as the backbone of Thrive2027, will host 5 public conversations throughout Cumberland County from January to April 2020. The purpose of the conversations is to follow-up with community members, reintroduce Thrive2027, hear concerns and public comment, and showcase work that has been done in the first 3 years of the Goal Strategies. Participants will also be presented with tangible opportunities for engagement.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
Date: February 25, 2020
Time: 5:30PM – 7:00PM
Location: Freeport Community Services, Bradley Room, 53 Depot St., Freeport 04032
RSVP: visit www.thrive2027.org/community-events or email advocacy@unitedwaygp.org.
Date: March TBD, 2020
Time: 5:00PM – 6:30PM
Location: Baxter Memorial Library Bradley Room, 71 South Street, Gorham 04038
RSVP: visit www.thrive2027.org/community-events or
RSVP: visit www.thrive2027.org/community-events or email advocacy@unitedwaygp.org.
VOLUNTEER READER SERIES
Our Volunteer Reader Series is an opportunity for engagement with children and supports Thrive2027’s efforts to ensure all kids are reading at grade level by 3rd grade. The opportunities below will take place in Westbrook Elementary Schools:
Read Across America
Saccarappa – Friday, February 28, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. – All Grades
Canal – Monday, March 2, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Congin – Monday, March 2, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Financial Literacy Month
Canal, Congin, and Saccarappa – Wednesday, April 15, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Volunteers will have kits with a book and lead an activity with students.
Day of Action
Thursday, May 21, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Training and reading in classrooms followed by a hands-on project.
June Read-Aloud
Saccarappa and Congin – Mid-June, date TBD, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Canal – Mid-June, date TBD, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
If you are interested in reading, but the scheduled dates above do not work for you, let us know. Schools are flexible, and we can try to work
something out that will fit your schedule. FMI and to register email volunteer@unitedwaygp.org.
MEDICARE COUNSELOR – ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING
Join an incredible volunteer team and participate in a national SHIP/SMP effort to educate and empower Medicare beneficiaries, their caregivers,
and the general public about healthcare, fraud, errors and abuse. Volunteers must successfully complete SHIP Online Certification Counselor
Exam and attend the three-day Basic Medicare Trainings on 4/29, 5/1, 5/6 from 9:00AM-2:30PM. FMI visit http://volunteer.unitedwaygp.org/need/detail/?need_id=492887.
TUTOR KIDS AT A PORTLAND HOUSING AUTHORITY STUDY CENTER
Portland Housing Authority’s Study Centers are afterschool programs that serve low-income students in Portland public housing communities. The Centers have evolved into community hubs for educational assistance, exploring post-secondary opportunities, youth leadership development, and community service. Volunteers will engage with students according to their needs – whether it is offering homework help, assisting in enrichment activities, or simply playing a game or lending an ear. Volunteers should be motivated and self-directed, with the ability to have fun while maintaining
boundaries. FMI visit http://volunteer.unitedwaygp.org/need/detail/?need_id=450101 or contact vista.youth@porthouse.org or 207-773-4753 x8012.
Check out our February Volunteer Newsletter. for more opportunities or search online at http://volunteer.unitedwaygp.org.
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