A Comprehensive Approach that Makes a Difference In 1977, what is now known as Preble Street was established as an experiment by University of Southern Maine Professor, Joseph Kreisler, to offer social work students practical experience and help serve the homeless and low-income community. Over two million meals later, the pioneering activism and humanitarian spirit behind Joseph Kreisler´s vision continues turning lives around. Sometimes that means feeding a hungry mother and child. Sometimes it means finding shelter for a homeless teen or adult. Sometimes it means offering a place where a young person can take the first step toward resuming his or her education Sometimes it means providing job training for someone ready to work but unable to find employment. Always it means providing hope. Preble Street has distinguished itself for its comprehensive approach to helping our homeless and low-income community. While striving to meet immediate needs for food, clothing and day-shelter, Preble Street works just as hard at meeting long-term needs for permanent housing, literacy, job training, employment, mental health services, healthcare and substance abuse treatment. This comprehensive approach is what makes Preble Street unique. People who are homeless and or living in poverty come from every background. Some were born into poverty, drug addiction, or abuse. Others were born into a loving and stable family, but circumstances dictated a wildly unanticipated course. Some were introduced to abject poverty and homelessness at the age of fifty or sixty. Others were introduced to it an age eleven. Some have never seen life beyond Portland. Others come from far away. As varied as the homeless and low-income people of Portland are, so are their needs. And so too are the programs and services that Preble Street offers.