You are invited to join United Way of Greater Portland and United Ways across Maine as we partner together while apart for the first statewide United Week of Action: 5 days with many ways to volunteer and give back.
United Week of Action is a tangible way that our community can mobilize to make a difference. Each day, United Ways across the state will offer a menu of different activities and trainings and align on a handful of signature engagement activities as a state. With virtual and socially distanced ways for individuals and groups to volunteer and give back in their local community, United Week of Action has something for everyone to engage, and make a difference!
Though this year will be less raking and more zooming, we hope to make measurable impact across the state reinforcing the importance of service and engagement. A statewide event calendar can be found at unitedwaysofmaine.org.
Week at a Glance
Below and to the right please find a calendar of local events happening in your area and find us online each morning for a virtual volunteer rally from across the state!
Monday, June 21
4PM to 5PM Job Support Webinar (Volunteer Opportunities Available) – Virtual
Few people enjoy job interviews, but they’re a key part of the job search process. Join our volunteers on Monday, June 21 from 4-5pm for a fun virtual session to practice interview skills in a safe space. Volunteers will meet with participants 1:1 to ask a series of common interview questions and provide helpful feedback, tips, and a bit of coaching to ease any nerves. Individual support from volunteers will help participants gain valuable experience and knowledge to more successfully navigate the hiring process toward future employment. FMI and to register, visit: https://unitedwaygp.galaxydigital.com/event/detail/?event_id=76122 or email kkeller@unitedwaygp.org by Wednesday, June 16 at 5pm.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – MOCK INTERVIEWERS: Volunteer to help job seekers gain comfort with interviewing. We’re seeking volunteers with Human Resource or hiring manager experience to meet with community members seeking to practice and receive feedback on interviewing skills (and possibly supporting materials like resumes and/or LinkedIn profiles). Volunteers are asked to provide supportive and constructive feedback to participants. Volunteers will commit to a 30-minute, virtual 1:1 session with a job seeker during a Zoom event on Monday, June 21 from 4-5pm. This volunteer opportunity helps to ensure that individuals have the supports needed to access the workforce, a strategy of Thrive2027’s Goal 2 – ensuring that individuals and families in Cumberland County have the education, employment opportunities, and resources to achieve financial stability. Volunteers will receive a general UWGP Volunteer Orientation, as well as training specific to the coaching sessions as appropriate.
Wednesday, June 23
10AM to 3PM Red Cross Blood Drive – Elks Lodge – Blood Donors and Volunteers Needed
On Wednesday, June 23, Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at the Portland Jetport from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. To schedule a time to donate: https://rcblood.org/34K0ZMC. FMI: volunteer@unitedwaygp.org.
10:30 AM to 4PM Mental Health First Aid Training – Virtual
In March, United Way of Greater Portland partnered with NAMI Maine to host a 6-hour, evidence-based Mental Health First Aid Training to support Thrive2027 efforts in Goal 3. Join us for our next training on Wednesday, June 23,10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Volunteers will learn about risk factors and warning signs, how to identify when a person may need individual support, steps to help someone in crisis, and available support options. FMI: mgamble@unitedwaygp.org.
Thursday, June 24
12 Noon to 6:30PM Books & Baseball – Children’s Book Drive- Hadlock Field with Portland Sea Dogs
On Thursday, June 24 hit a home run for neighbors in need! The nine United Ways in Maine will host food, book, diaper, and basic needs drives across the state in support of ongoing pandemic recovery and rebuilding efforts. In Greater Portland, United Way has partnered with Portland Sea Dogs to collect new and gently used children’s books. Drive up and drop off books outside Hadlock Field in Portland any time Noon – 6:30 p.m. Donors will receive a BOGO General Admission Ticket good for the 2021 season.
Friday, June 25
10AM to 11:30 AM United Way Workshop: The Art of Visual Storytelling in the Age of COVID-19 – brought to you by United Ways of Maine
Are you a United Way team member with an interest in telling stories through video? Are you a community member looking for a volunteer opportunity that is easy to do and impactful? Join Raffi DerSimonian of DerSimonian and Mary Knox Miller of the Nonprofit Video Lab for a fun and interactive workshop on the art of visual storytelling. Raffi and Mary will share useful tips and strategies to help you hit the ground running and tell stories of impact in support of your United Way and community with as little as your iPhone. Free to participate. Workshop brought to you by United Ways of Maine – United Week of Action. Register at https://bit.ly/3oULr1C.
Additional Virtual Volunteer Ideas: Warm Fuzzies
We’re inviting you to take part in one of the projects below by yourself, with your family, and/or virtually with your colleagues. When you do participate, please share your activity photos in our shared album: https://bit.ly/36epPEi.
Create a literacy kit, camp kit, or cleaning kit.
Gather children’s books, or purchase children’s books, to donate at UW’s Books & Baseball event, June 24.
Do a beach/ trail clean-up.
Make a toy or donate food/ blankets to an animal shelter. Check with the local shelter for current needs.
Pack a “meal” bag to donate (macaroni & cheese; spaghetti and sauce; rice and beans; taco meal; peanut butter and jelly). Contact your local food bank or pantry for details.
Bake cookies or brownies for your neighbor or a first responder.
Make kindness rocks and hide around your neighborhood. The Kindness Rock Project: VISIT THIS LINK. For ideas: VIST THIS LINK
Take a book, leave a book at a Little Free Library. For a map of Little Free Libraries in your neighborhood visit HERE.
Share Your Story
WEEK OF ACTION with United Ways of Maine and NEWSCENTER Maine
Week of Action
United Week of Action: June 21 – June 25
You are invited to join United Way of Greater Portland and United Ways across Maine as we partner together while apart for the first statewide United Week of Action: 5 days with many ways to volunteer and give back.
United Week of Action is a tangible way that our community can mobilize to make a difference. Each day, United Ways across the state will offer a menu of different activities and trainings and align on a handful of signature engagement activities as a state. With virtual and socially distanced ways for individuals and groups to volunteer and give back in their local community, United Week of Action has something for everyone to engage, and make a difference!
Though this year will be less raking and more zooming, we hope to make measurable impact across the state reinforcing the importance of service and engagement. A statewide event calendar can be found at unitedwaysofmaine.org.
Week at a Glance
Below and to the right please find a calendar of local events happening in your area and find us online each morning for a virtual volunteer rally from across the state!
Monday, June 21
Few people enjoy job interviews, but they’re a key part of the job search process. Join our volunteers on Monday, June 21 from 4-5pm for a fun virtual session to practice interview skills in a safe space. Volunteers will meet with participants 1:1 to ask a series of common interview questions and provide helpful feedback, tips, and a bit of coaching to ease any nerves. Individual support from volunteers will help participants gain valuable experience and knowledge to more successfully navigate the hiring process toward future employment. FMI and to register, visit: https://unitedwaygp.galaxydigital.com/event/detail/?event_id=76122 or email kkeller@unitedwaygp.org by Wednesday, June 16 at 5pm.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – MOCK INTERVIEWERS: Volunteer to help job seekers gain comfort with interviewing. We’re seeking volunteers with Human Resource or hiring manager experience to meet with community members seeking to practice and receive feedback on interviewing skills (and possibly supporting materials like resumes and/or LinkedIn profiles). Volunteers are asked to provide supportive and constructive feedback to participants. Volunteers will commit to a 30-minute, virtual 1:1 session with a job seeker during a Zoom event on Monday, June 21 from 4-5pm. This volunteer opportunity helps to ensure that individuals have the supports needed to access the workforce, a strategy of Thrive2027’s Goal 2 – ensuring that individuals and families in Cumberland County have the education, employment opportunities, and resources to achieve financial stability. Volunteers will receive a general UWGP Volunteer Orientation, as well as training specific to the coaching sessions as appropriate.
Wednesday, June 23
On Wednesday, June 23, Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at the Portland Jetport from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. To schedule a time to donate: https://rcblood.org/34K0ZMC. FMI: volunteer@unitedwaygp.org.
In March, United Way of Greater Portland partnered with NAMI Maine to host a 6-hour, evidence-based Mental Health First Aid Training to support Thrive2027 efforts in Goal 3. Join us for our next training on Wednesday, June 23,10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Volunteers will learn about risk factors and warning signs, how to identify when a person may need individual support, steps to help someone in crisis, and available support options. FMI: mgamble@unitedwaygp.org.
Thursday, June 24
On Thursday, June 24 hit a home run for neighbors in need! The nine United Ways in Maine will host food, book, diaper, and basic needs drives across the state in support of ongoing pandemic recovery and rebuilding efforts. In Greater Portland, United Way has partnered with Portland Sea Dogs to collect new and gently used children’s books. Drive up and drop off books outside Hadlock Field in Portland any time Noon – 6:30 p.m. Donors will receive a BOGO General Admission Ticket good for the 2021 season.
Friday, June 25
Are you a United Way team member with an interest in telling stories through video? Are you a community member looking for a volunteer opportunity that is easy to do and impactful? Join Raffi DerSimonian of DerSimonian and Mary Knox Miller of the Nonprofit Video Lab for a fun and interactive workshop on the art of visual storytelling. Raffi and Mary will share useful tips and strategies to help you hit the ground running and tell stories of impact in support of your United Way and community with as little as your iPhone. Free to participate. Workshop brought to you by United Ways of Maine – United Week of Action. Register at https://bit.ly/3oULr1C.
Additional Virtual Volunteer Ideas: Warm Fuzzies
We’re inviting you to take part in one of the projects below by yourself, with your family, and/or virtually with your colleagues. When you do participate, please share your activity photos in our shared album: https://bit.ly/36epPEi.
Share Your Story
WEEK OF ACTION with United Ways of Maine and NEWSCENTER Maine
There are no upcoming events to display at this time.