Supporting families and ensuring children are ready to succeed when they enter school, as well as beyond.
* 16% of children in Androscoggin County live in poverty.

A Dynamic Community:
Promoting, supporting, enhancing independence and self-sufficiency
* 49% of local residents cannot read higher than a sixth grade level.

Meeting Basic Needs:
Ensuring individuals and families have food, shelter, clothing and access to services that promote physical and mental well-being.
* 60 people in our community are homeless on any given night.

Life-Long Learning:
Promoting opportunities for job training, education, collaboration and volunteerism.
* In 2004, 200 high school students in our county dropped out of school.

Advocating that individuals and families are safe and protected at all times
* Over 3,000 crimes were committed in Androscoggin County last year.

United Way Supports Back to School Success

United Way of Androscoggin County, in partnership with L.L. Bean, Bates College, Lewiston Wal-Mart Distribution Center and the Auburn Wal-Mart store made back to school success a reality for local families in need.      

Over 600 backpacks were stuffed with books and school supplies and then distributed to children in grades 1-6 throughout Androscoggin County. On behalf of all the children and families who benefited from this project, United Way thanks Cathlin Foster and Ed O’Brien of Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Sarah Potter of Bates College, Cindy Tucci and Marlene Hensley of L.L.Bean, Dale Brann at Wal-Mart Auburn, and the volunteers who helped stuff the packs with supplies.

According to the Maine Kids Count 2007 data, nearly 45 percent of students in Androscoggin County qualify for the subsidized lunch program annually. To compound the issues of need, it can be tough on a child when they are the only one in class without glue sticks, pencils, crayons, backpacks and other items that children bring into the classroom.

To help teachers and students achieve literacy goals, the United Way backpacks includes reading for enjoyment books as well as supplies. Studies indicate that when children become good readers in the early grades, they are more likely to become better learners throughout their school years and beyond.

Ed O’Brien and Cathlin Foster of the Wal-Mart Distribution Center donated school supplies and a gift card to the United Way’s Jennifer Richard to assist with the back to school success initiative.