Southern Maine is a region defined by resilience, generosity, and strong community connections. Yet more than 3,100 residents who participated in United Way of Southern Maine’s Voice of the Community effort shared a common message about the reality of life today.
Loud and clear, Southern Mainers told us that stability feels increasingly out of reach for many, including people who never expected to find themselves in that position.
Between October 2025 and June 2026, we engaged Cumberland and York County residents through surveys, interviews, focus groups, community conversations, and nonprofit partner discussions. We intentionally sought perspectives from people whose experiences are often underrepresented in community decision-making, including ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households, older adults, immigrants, veterans, youth, people experiencing homelessness, and residents of rural communities.
By the Numbers:
3,159
people reached
134
organizations
157
zip codes
90
conversations
Across these conversations, participants described the growing challenge of achieving and maintaining stability. Rising housing costs, the high cost of everyday necessities, limited child care options, transportation barriers, and challenges accessing mental health services are creating pressures that extend well beyond households traditionally considered at risk.
Participants described struggling to stay afloat as they work to maintain housing, pay bills, access care, support their families, and plan for the future. Many shared that a single unexpected expense—a car repair, medical bill, or loss of work hours—can quickly become a crisis.
At the same time, participants described feeling stuck. They see traditional pathways to stability becoming harder to follow. Many talked about trying hard to move ahead while new challenges and unexpected expenses continued to get in the way. Even people who are working, pursuing education, and making careful financial decisions described feeling as though progress is becoming harder to achieve. Many ALICE households, in particular, reported feeling caught between earning too much to qualify for assistance and too little to comfortably meet basic needs.
“I’m a senior from Portland. Not destitute but trying to stay afloat. I had unexpected cardiac procedures, which are very expensive. I applied for financial forgiveness but am just over the income limit."
Yet this is not solely a story about struggle.
Participants consistently highlighted the strengths that make Southern Maine a place people want to call home: neighbors who help one another, strong nonprofit organizations, engaged employers, trusted schools, faith communities, and a shared commitment to community well-being. These assets give Southern Maine a strong foundation for action.
The findings also reveal an opportunity to deepen civic engagement. Many participants reported feeling that their voices are not fully heard in decisions affecting their communities. At the same time, they expressed a strong desire to contribute solutions and help shape the future of Southern Maine.
Taken together, these findings point to a central challenge for our region: strengthening stability for individuals and families while ensuring all residents have a meaningful role in shaping the communities in which they live.
The Voice of the Community report explores what participants shared in greater detail. It highlights the experiences, priorities, and aspirations of people across Southern Maine and provides important insight for community leaders, policymakers, nonprofits, employers, and community members working toward a future where everyone can thrive. Read the full report at uwsme.org/voice.
