Providing help and creating hope in Maine
Portland, Maine -- Catholic Charities Maine (CCM) is pleased to announce it has received a grant from United Way of Southern Maine (UWSM) to support three programs serving the area’s most vulnerable populations.
“We are very grateful for the support of the United Way of Southern Maine. These grants will help us continue to invest in meeting the needs of families and new Mainers in our community through top-notch programming,” remarked Stephen Letourneau, CEO.
The first grant of $20,000, supports the St. Elizabeth’s Child Development Center in Portland that provides quality day care services to children twelve months to five years old.
A second grant, also of $20,000, helps the St. Louis Child Development Center in Biddeford that provides those services as well to children six weeks to twelve years old throughout York County.
The Centers facilitate the development of foundational skills necessary for children to fully succeed in school and in life.
The third grant of $25,000 supports the Immigration Legal Services (ILS) program, through CCM’s Refugee & Immigration Services. They provide free or low-cost, culturally competent, trauma-informed representation for Maine’s immigrants.
ILS is one of two organizations in the Portland area recognized and accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice to practice immigration law before the Federal government with trained non-attorney staff and volunteers. ILS supports new Mainers in establishing roots, ensuring legal and financial stability, and improving well-being by helping navigate the complexities of immigration law, to secure lawful permanent residence, citizenship, work authorization, and reunite with family.
United Way investments are made possible by the generous support of many individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout Southern Maine. View UWSM's investment portfolio at www.uwsme.org/our-work/our-partners/ a full list of funded community partners.
About Catholic Charities Maine
CCM is one of the largest and most diverse human service agencies in the State. Since 1966, it has provided leadership programs and services to reduce poverty, support families, and advocate for justice in social structures. Empowering and strengthening individuals and families of all faiths, CCM serves more than 50,000 annually. Work includes providing behavioral and mental health services for adults and children, substance use disorder treatment and recovery, strengthening and growing services for Maine’s aging population, welcoming and supporting New Mainers in integrating into local communities, creating program models for emergency assistance services, and addressing hunger/food security issues, among other services. More information is available at www.ccmaine.org
About United Way of Southern Maine
United Way of Southern Maine (UWSM) works with the community to quickly respond to emerging needs and tackle persistent issues that hold people back from achieving financial stability and leading healthy lives. UWSM mobilizes the ideas, expertise, and resources of more than 300 businesses, foundations, government, and nonprofit partners and thousands of individuals to close gaps in early childhood development, create pathways to educational and employment opportunities, and increase access to mental health care and addiction prevention and intervention services. Learn more at www.uwsme.org
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