The mission of Preble Street is to provide accessible barrier-free services to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty, and to advocate for solutions to these problems.
OUR MISSION
The mission of Preble Street is to provide accessible barrier-free services to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty, and to advocate for solutions to these problems.
Our Programs
From a nutritious meal to crisis intervention, from clean clothes to healthcare, from showers to a permanent home, Preble Street programs not only meet urgent needs but also create solutions to homelessness and hunger.
Who We Serve
The people we meet come from every background. Some were born into abject poverty and abuse. Others were born into a loving and stable family, but life’s circumstances dictated a wildly unanticipated course.
OUR ANNUAL IMPACT
LATEST NEWS
Maine advocates urge Congress to increase SNAP benefits
Food insecurity is a growing national problem amid the pandemic. Pantries are stretched thin — and money is tight in many communities. Advocates from across the country are urging Congress to increase SNAP benefits. They all want the next pandemic relief bill to include a boost for the program – and they’re urging congress not
Blackbaud Data Security Incident
On July 16, 2020 Preble Street was notified that Blackbaud — a third party provider of a cloud-based platform used by Preble Street for fundraising and donor information management — experienced a global security incident that began in February 2020 and ended in May 2020, when Blackbaud discovered the incident. Through its investigation, Blackbaud discovered
Portland officials told social workers to stop publicly distributing food to those in need
Note: Preble Street continues to serve meals to those in need at several stops throughout Portland. Advocates for the homeless organized a protest on the decline of social services in Portland on Wednesday night, preparing to sleep into the night on the steps of City Hall. It comes after city officials told social workers here
FEATURED PREBLE STREET STORIES
Ryan’s Story
Over the summer, Teen Services staff and youth collaborated with Cultivating Community to plant and harvest a garden in the Teen Center courtyard. Tomatoes, strawberries, rhubarb, herbs, and an assortment of flowers all flourished, and much of the food was harvested and used by Preble Street Food Programs to prepare
Jojo’s Story
JoJo became a tenant of Florence House after living in both the emergency shelter and safe haven housing in the building. “You have a place to go, you have people to talk to, you have the support of the staff. It’s a lot safer than being out in the streets…
Matthew’s Story
The first time Matthew experienced homelessness was when he was 14. He was living in the woods of rural Maine in a tent by himself. Depression about his situation led to substance use, which led to more depression, and he went a decade without seeing or speaking with his family.
HOUSING SERVICES
Preble Street is committed to providing safe, affordable, permanent housing and support to chronically homeless men and women in Maine. Our services are based on approaches to homelessness and chronic mental illness that have emerged nationally as key strategies for ending homelessness combined with experience gained at the Preble Street Resource Center.
TEEN SERVICES
Preble Street Teen Services meets the urgent needs of homeless and runaway youth — providing warmth and safety, nutritious meals, clothing, crisis intervention, and overnight shelter.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Every week 350 community volunteers lend a hand at Preble Street and almost 100% of the food and clothing we distribute is donated. We welcome — we depend on — your time, financial support, or in-kind donations. We welcome — we depend on — your time, financial support, and in-kind donations. Volunteering at one meal a year, once in a while, or every week; donating work boots for someone trying to turn their life around, or organizing a fundraiser — every gift you give helps those most in need.
