UNITED WAY’S BRICK & BEAM SOCIETY ANNOUNCES SUMMER PROGRAM INVESTMENTS BENEFITING BIPOC AND UNDERSERVED YOUTH
(Portland, ME) May 10, 2022 - United Way of Southern Maine’s (UWSM) Brick& Beam Society announced impact investments totaling $19,290 to support early childhood learning and or STEM/STEAM summer programs benefiting underserved populations from birth through grade 8 in Cumberland County. Programs were selected based on impact, sustainability, replication, and taking innovative, holistic, and collaborative approaches to learning.
The following investments align with the Brick & Beam investment objectives and Thrive2027 Goal 1: Giving Kids a Strong Start and Goal 2: Empower Neighbors To Thrive – Not Just Survive.
First-time recipient Project>Login’s Girls Who Code summer camp helps close the gender gap in technology by engaging middle school-aged students who identify as girls or non-binary.
“Brick & Beam Society’s investment is instrumental in our ability to offer our Girls Who Code summer camp for free to students and their families, eliminating barriers and creating pathways to technology futures for BIPOC and underrepresented students,” shared Project>Login’s Program Director Angela Oechsile. “Students learn and give back through hands-on real-world projects that utilize their new computer science skills and make an impact on what matters to them.”
Brick & Beam Society investments are funded through member donations and decided on by member volunteers. Investments align with Thrive2027 and support early childhood education with a specific interest in STEM programming for under-served kids in Southern Maine.
“As a committee member, I am always impressed with both the program applicants and the thoughtful process we undertake to evaluate and make recommendations for funding.” shared Abby Lang, Sr. Digital Transformation Specialist and Co-Chair Investment Committee. “We’re thrilled to support opportunities for kids from Bridgton and Greater Portland to develop language, math, and reading skills in a fun and creative environment and participate in Girls Who Code, an acclaimed national program and curriculum.”
To learn more about United Way of Southern Maine, Brick & Beam Society, and Thrive2027, our community’s three goals for a thriving future, visit uwsme.org.
About United Way of Southern Maine
United Way of Southern Maine (UWSM)’s mission is to improve people’s lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. UWSM unites individuals and organizations around our community’s shared vision to improve education, financial stability, and health for every person in Southern Maine. With community partners, UWSM builds on strategies that are known to achieve the best results, and rigorously evaluates progress toward those goals. UWSM actively seeks to engage donors, advocates, and volunteers to create measurable, long-lasting community change. Learn more at uwsme.org.
About Brick & Beam Society
Brick & Beam Society (B&B) is a giving circle of United Way of Southern Maine designed to cultivate the next generation of philanthropic leaders in Southern Maine. Members represent companies from various industries and with a current membership of 150 donors supporting this work. Since its launch in 2016, Brick & Beam Society has invested over $550,000 in early literacy and STEM/STEAM programs that are giving children the gift of a lifetime, and the power to create their own destiny. Learn more at brickandbeam.org.
