While we can never thank L.L.Bean’s Shawn Gorman enough for everything he did for us and Greater Portland as the 2011 UWGP Campaign Chair, we created and framed this summary of some of the things we’ll never forget.

Our annual meeting on October 18, 2011 featured Tony Cipollone, President and CEO of the John T. Gorman Foundation. He discussed his first few weeks in Maine and his vision for the Gorman Foundation.

Illustration by Jessica Esch.

Anne Roosevelt presided over her first Goodwill Industries of Northern New England annual meeting in October after being named CEO earlier in the year.

Many thanks to Judy Beedle for letting us use her photograph. See more of her work online at www.beedlephotos.com.

Illustration by Jessica Esch.

Levy Furere emigrated from Burundi with his mother the year before his junior year at Deering High School, but switched to the adult education system to complete his high school diploma because he was “aging out” of the school system. A full-time, seasonal employee at L.L.Bean, Levy completed coursework to receive his high school diploma in December 2011 as well as completed Maine’s Personal Support Specialist certification course. Levy plans to work in that field and attend college to study law or economics. Goodwill Industries of Northern New England honored Levy at their 2011 annual meeting and we were fortunate enough to hear him say these words.

Maine provides the lowest temporary cash assistance benefit in New England. A struggling family of three in New Hampshire receives $140 more a month than a family three in Maine.

This type of cash assistance is called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). It replaced the welfare programs known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) program and the Emergency Assistance (EA) program under the federal welfare reform legislation of 1996. For more information about TANF, click here.

Not from New England and want to see how your state stacks up? Click here.

Federal funding for Medicaid is done through a matching system. Every dollar Maine spends on eligible health care services draws down $2 from the federal government.

Maine’s Medicaid spending over the last five was relatively level until federal funding increased in 2009. This increase was mostly due to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the economic stimulus package enacted by the 111th United States Congress in February 2009.

While Medicaid spending increased due to stimulus funding, Maine’s contribution has decreased every year since 2007. In fact, Maine spent nearly $187 million less in 2010 than in 2007.

Click here to see the data.

Throughout Maine, many of our neighbors have been hit hard by challenging economic times. As winter closes in, we know that not everyone in Maine will be cozy and warm at home.

Keep ME Warm donations will provide emergency heating assistance. Contributions will be distributed to individual Community Action Agencies and United Ways through a formula based on federal LIHEAP distribution percentages and population. The funds will be used to assist individuals (Community Action) or designated to local organizations that provide direct support (United Way), including faith-based emergency fuel assistance programs and nonprofit agencies. Contributions can be designated to a local region.

Thank you for making a difference. Together we can help our friends and neighbors stay safe and warm in their homes this winter.

The Current Need in Maine

Maine is facing a perfect storm regarding home heating this year. Heating oil prices are 19% higher today than last year and applications for LIHEAP assistance are up 4% this year.

Meanwhile, federal funding for LIHEAP in Maine has dropped from $54 million last year to only $38.5 million this year. Changes in federal eligibility guidelines this year made over 4,000 families and seniors ineligible for LIHEAP. As a result, the denial rate has more than doubled to 18%.

For those receiving assistance, Maine State Housing estimates that the average heating benefit will fall from $802 last winter to only $483 this winter.

The result? We have more seniors and families struggling to pay for heating than last year and they will need help to survive the winter.

How to Contribute

Keep ME Warm has set a goal of helping 1,000 families with 100 gallons of fuel. Online contributions may be at www.keepmewarm.org or www.MaineCommunityAction.org. You can also find contribution links online at United Way and Community Action agency websites. Contributions can also be made by check and mailed to Keep ME Warm Fund C/O United Way of Greater Portland, P.O. Box 15200, Portland, Maine, 04112.

Contributions of any size are welcome and are tax-deductible. All donors will be acknowledged for their generosity. You can also make a donation in someone’s name.

Individuals, businesses and groups can make a significant difference. For example:

• $350 would provide a Maine family in need with an emergency fuel delivery of 100 gallons
• $175 would pay for 50 gallons
• $100 would pay for almost 30 gallons
• $35 would pay for 10 gallons

On January 30, President Suzanne McCormick reiterated UWGP’s concern for Governor LePage’s supplemental budget. These wide-ranging cuts threaten to increase homelessness dramatically and push more children and families into more desperate circumstances with no safety net at all. The cost of providing support will shift to local communities and nonprofit organizations, and our ability to respond is limited.

Portland Mayor Michael Brennan’s January 30th press conference

• Click here for talking points handed out at the press conference.
• Behind-the-scenes photos are available on our Facebook page.

In the News

• Portland Press Herald: Legislature should find alternative to DHHS cuts.
• Eileen Skinner, president and CEO of Mercy Hospital, voiced Mercy Hospital’s concern about the human and financial toll of the proposed MaineCare cuts in January 30′s Portland Press Herald.
• MPBN: Portland Officials Balk at Proposed MaineCare Cuts.
• WCHS 6: Portland joins those opposing proposed Medicaid cuts
• WMTW 8: Portland Mayor Speaks Out About Proposed DHHS Cuts
• WGME 13: Portland civic leaders oppose the governor’s plan to cut DHHS
  

Prior UWGP budget action

On December 14, UWGP President Suzanne McCormick was one of many expressing concern for proposed cuts in Governor LePage’s supplemental budget that seeks to close a projected $221 million hole in Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services.

“We are here today to share our concern about the magnitude of these cuts and the vulnerability of the people who rely on these services. As a partner with the state in funding prevention and primary services for children and families, elderly citizens and adults, we recognize the vital importance of the state’s role in funding essential programs and services. United Way funding can supplement but not supplant state funds.”

Click here to read Suzanne’s full testimony.

On Friday, December 16, Peter Lindsay from United Way of Mid Coast spoke on behalf of all 10 United Ways in Maine in opposition to the proposed cuts that affect Maine’s early care and education systems. Early childhood is a top priority for United Ways across the state because it focuses on prevention, reducing costs over the long term, and because research shows that investments in early childhood are important for a healthy economy and people’s long-term health. Click here to read Peter’s testimony.

For more information:

To get a sense of the impact the proposed budget might have, click here for a summary provided by Maine Equal Justice.

Click here to view the Supplemental Budget which makes changes to the current two-year budget. It tightens eligibility requirements, eliminates services and repeals coverage entirely for thousands of MaineCare recipients to bring Maine’s program closer to national averages.

Click here for more information about Medicaid eligibility.  Information about the poverty level was taken from  the 2011 Monthly Countable Income Eligibility Chart in Section 1.3 which you will need to scroll down to see.

United Way of Greater Portland is seeking applications for Senior Vice President of Operations. Under the general direction of our fearless leader Suzanne McCormick, this person will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and professional guidance as well as supporting the implementation of our strategic plan. If you are interested in overseeing and mentoring the areas of finance, technology, administration, human resources and operations, this could be a great fit.

> Read the full position description.

Interested? Please inquire to:

Jessica Feinstein
Senior Consultant
Pemberton Swift
jsf@pembertonswift.com
(P)  207-773-0330
(F)  207-775-1983

On November 19, families gathered at our office in Portland for a morning of fun and crafts. Volunteers made cards for local Meals on Wheels recipients as well as those attending this year’s Thanksgiving dinner at the Portland Club. Photos from the event are available on our Facebook page.

This event was part of Family Volunteer Day, a national effort that kicks off the holiday season of generosity and giving. This day of service, held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, is designed to encourage families to volunteer together to introduce children to volunteering and help support the communities in which they live. Volunteering as a family allows quality time for busy families, reinforces communication and connection and positively impacts neighborhoods and communities across the state. Volunteering as a family can also help inspire a lifelong dedication to volunteering.

Visit VolunteerMaine.org to find more volunteer opportunities near you.