Dear Emerging Leaders,
We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and warm in the new year. While the start of 2026 has brought challenges for many in our community, we are grateful that your support of Emerging Leaders United (ELU) means local youth have access to safe spaces, food, mentorship, academic support, and more.
As we settle into the new year, we want to share the impact of your generous support, celebrate exciting milestones, and invite you to stay connected through upcoming opportunities.
Looking Back at Last Year’s Impact
This month, we reviewed the final reports from ELU’s previous year investments. Thanks to your support, hundreds of youth across Southern Maine received mentorship, academic support, and afterschool care, helping set them up for success in school and life.
Here are a few powerful examples of growth, leadership, and connection that our partners shared:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine provided afterschool programming to 70 children. Every child receives nutritious food, and many have increased their reading time.
- Our Place Portland highlighted the importance of stability and belonging, describing their afterschool program as “a safe, welcoming space where young people could build trust, develop relationships, and feel a sense of belonging.” Sixty-one children and teens participated this past year. Many teens who began attending the program as young children stepped into paid mentor roles, leading activities and serving as role models for younger children in their community, thanks in part to ELU funding.
- Portland Community Squash’s Rally Portland served 146 students, of whom 89 demonstrated measurable growth in social and emotional skills. Similar to Our Place, middle school students are stepping into leadership and acting as mentors for younger students.
Together, these stories reinforce how Emerging Leaders United investments strengthen youth development, build leadership skills, and support families across Southern Maine.
Celebrating our First Leadership Development Cohort
We are excited to celebrate a major milestone for Emerging Leaders United with the launch of our first Leadership Development Program cohort.
This year-long program is designed to support rising professionals through mentorship, networking, hands-on community engagement, and exposure to United Way’s work and partners across Southern Maine. Cohort members meet quarterly and engage with community leaders while exploring how to create meaningful, lasting impact through philanthropy, volunteerism, and advocacy.
We are proud to recognize BerryDunn as the inaugural partner of the ELU Leadership Development Program. Their commitment made it possible to launch this first cohort and invest in the growth of emerging leaders across our region. Please join me in welcoming Michael Mahar, Emily Morrill, and Katie O’Donnel to ELU through this program!
If you’d like to learn more about the Leadership Development Program and how you or your organization can get involved, please reach out to me at mstaropoli@uwsme.org.
Upcoming Events and Ways to Engage
Join Us: ALICE, Leadership, and Action: An Evening with ELU
February 18, 5:30-7:30 PM
Shipyard Brewing Company (27 Hancock Street, Portland)
Connect with fellow Emerging Leaders and pack food kits for the Locker Project at an upcoming event focused on leadership, learning, and hands-on impact. Chris Hynes, ELU member and United Way board member, will lead a conversation on ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained, Employed) and share meaningful actions we can take to help more families build financial security.
RSVP at uwsme.org/elushipyard or email Mackenzie at mstaropoli@uwsme.org.
Help Shape United Way’s Work in Southern Maine
Real change starts with listening. United Way of Southern Maine is hosting Community Conversations across Cumberland and York counties to hear directly from people who live, work, and provide services in Southern Maine, so we can better understand our region’s greatest challenges, strengths, and opportunities.
How You Can Help:
- Option 1 – Host a Community Conversation
Partner with United Way to co-facilitate a 60-minute discussion with staff, partners, and/or people your organization serves. Our facilitators will tailor the session and guiding questions to align with your organization. Conversations can be integrated into an existing meeting or held as a standalone session.
- Option 2 – Share the Community Survey
Share our brief community survey with your network. It takes approximately five minutes to complete and provides a space to share what is working well and where there may be opportunities for improvement.
Take the survey at https://uwsme.org/uwsmsurvey.
Thank you for being part of Emerging Leaders United. Your support helps strengthen Southern Maine today while empowering the leaders of tomorrow. We hope you will bring a friend to an upcoming event or share the impact you have helped make possible.
Warmly,
Mackenzie Staropoli, Director, Donor Engagement
Emerging Leaders United
United Way of Southern Maine