Can you guess what a Girl Scout, a homeless person and a senior who reads to children have in common? They are all participants in programs partially funded by United Way of Eastern Maine.

“For 68 years, we have been supporting agencies that are making big differences in peoples’ lives, and in some cases life-altering differences,” said Laura Hoovler, Community Impact associate.

United Way serves Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, Washington and Hancock counties and funds 70 programs in 42 different agencies. More than $2 million annually is distributed to nonprofit organizations, including Eastern Agency on Aging programs and Meals for Me.

But United Way wanted to do even more, so it polled hundreds of people across its five-county service area to determine the exact needs of the community. One area that stood out as a major concern among the population was the support of seniors. Consequently the Senior Impact Council was formed.

“It’s really not surprising that seniors ranked high,” said Roberta Downey, executive director of Eastern Agency on Aging and member of the council. “Here in Maine, we have one of the highest rates for seniors, per capita, ranking third in the nation.”

While United Way has always funded programs for seniors, the focus has intensified based on the community needs assessment. One issue that the council will explore is seniors staying in their own homes longer through access to home-based care such as meals, housekeeping, help with medications and caregiver support.

Another issue involves seniors living productive, active and healthful lifestyles by contributing to and benefiting from community resources. This may include volunteer or employment opportunities and recreational or social activities.

“Really, our goal with the Senior Impact Council is to make eastern Maine a great place for older adults, the kind of place where they have the resources they need to stay active and maintain their independence,” said Hoovler.

The council, comprising experts in the field of aging, meets monthly to identify positive things available for seniors as well as the problems seniors face when attempting to have their needs met.

“There is a broad spectrum of people represented on the council,” said Downey. “We have social service and health care professionals, educators and the community at large all coming together. It gives us a fresh and realistic perspective.

Aging is not an issue from which people can distance themselves, she said. While trying to make the world better for seniors, eventually that improvement will affect all of us.

“I feel hopeful for the future of the seniors in the area and through this council, I think we can make a positive difference,” said Downey.

“The council will look at what can be done beyond just funding programs,” said Hoovler. “For example, advocating in Augusta to change public policy. They’ll foster collaboration among providers to make things easier for older persons who need services. They will also investigate grant funding for specific projects, for example collaborating on transportation efforts. These extra funds would go beyond United Way donations, which would enable us to do even more for the older population.”

The United Way’s campaign, which runs through December, recently kicked off at Bass Park in Bangor. While the bulk of United Way’s fund raising is done through the workplace, anyone who is concerned for the community and would like to make a contribution may donate as an individual.

“The strength of the community really starts with the generosity of each person,” said Hoovler.

To make a donation to United Way, send a check made out to United Way of Eastern Maine and mail to UWEM, 24 Springer Drive, Suite 201, Bangor 04401.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information on EAA, call 941-2865, info@eaaa.org, or log on www.eaaa.org.