BANGOR – For 67 years, the United Way of Eastern Maine has successfully raised money to fund programs that help individuals and families throughout eastern Maine. Lives have been saved and changed because of that support, and that good work continues every day.

United Way of Eastern Maine is building on its success in funding deserving programs and now is delivering even greater impact by “surrounding issues.” In addition to providing funding, United Way is working to “surround” the community’s priority issues with multiple resources – including volunteer support, collaborative efforts, advocacy and more.

United Way’s recent community assessment identified widespread concerns about how some children spend the hours after school. These worries are supported by statistics showing that juvenile crime triples during the 3-8 p.m. time period.

To address this concern, United Way’s initial work to surround issues has focused on helping its partners expand after-school opportunities. In Bangor, the United Way advocated for a new after-school program that is being provided by a partnership of Bangor’s YMCA and YWCA. In Old Town, United Way worked with the River Coalition, the YMCA and other partners on a community assessment that laid the groundwork for an expanded after-school program and helped secure a $450,000 21st Century grant.

The United Way also is encouraging civic engagement among young people. Built into the Camp Bangor scholarship program is a community service requirement, and nearly 1,000 local children volunteered in the community last year. Nearly 2,000 more people, mostly schoolchildren, also have participated in United Way’s Acts Of Kindness campaign. Started as a way to honor those who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the effort continues to expand to more schools and classrooms as United Way promotes service learning and the development of meaningful roles in the community for young people.

As United Way has done for generations, dollars raised will help to feed the homeless, shelter the abused and counsel the ill and frail – but now those dollars do even more. Your gift to United Way of Eastern Maine’s Community Fund helps communities surround the issues of greatest importance to them. Your gift, and those of nearly 14,000 other donors, combine to deliver impact and create real and sustained change. To make a donation or to learn more, call 941-2800 or visit www.unitedwayem.org.

Jeff Wahlstrom is president of the United Way of Eastern Maine.