Dear Friends,
We often talk about New Ventures Maine programs supporting people as they turn challenges into opportunities. For over forty years, NVME has helped people across our state to make vital changes in their lives, for themselves and their families. In FY22, in large part thanks to investment from the Maine Legislature and Governor Mills and with support from the University of Maine System and the University of Maine at Augusta, of which we are a program, NVME was able to empower Maine people to access greater financial stability and wellbeing, despite their experience of significant challenges due to pandemic-related hardships. There continues to be urgency for help and we are learning from our participants what they need now in order to reach their career, self-employment, and financial goals. We are grateful for the partnerships and alliances that help make our work relevant, accessible, and impactful.
Highlights FY22 An executive leadership transition—the first for New Ventures Maine since its inception—was an historic and significant moment this year. As we continued to provide services for participants through the shifting circumstances of the pandemic, we renewed focus on NVME systems and staffing to make a bigger impact for underserved populations and those most affected by the pandemic. • Celebrated in December the retirement of Executive Director Gilda Nardone, who dedicated 43 years to growing New Ventures Maine, and welcomed Janet Smith, 20-year NVME employee as succeeding executive director • Adapted NVME’s 60-hour comprehensive busi- ness planning course, Venturing Forth, for online delivery and attracted entrepreneurs from across the state to complete their business plans • Co-facilitated, with Maine Equal Justice, a statewide coalition that coordinated enrollment, outreach, and advocacy for the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC); as a result of the outreach, tax returns with CTC filed in 2022 by CA$H Maine increased by 113% over those filed in 2021 • Implemented new courses focused on career opportunities for women, including Next Steps: Work & Life Beyond the Pandemic and Connecting Women to Construction Careers • Hosted 21 Totally Trades virtual career sessions for 925 students in grades 8-12 from over 40 schools as well as home-schooled students • CA$H Maine assisted thousands of Maine residents to file 2021 Maine tax returns for free in order to be eligible to receive Inflation Relief Checks of $850, included in the Maine State Legislature’s supplemental budget signed by Governor Mills on April 20, 2022
Thank you so much for your support,
Dannel Malloy, University of Maine System Chancellor Janet Smith, New Ventures Maine Executive Director
2022 Annual Report
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