“I think it says something when you provide a beautiful, calming, home-like space for youth who have experienced a lot of trauma. There’s something about building a beautiful new space, to serve all their needs, that says, ‘You deserve this, you are loved, you are worth fighting for.’” – Leah McDonald, Preble Street Senior Director of Social Work, in a recent Press Herald article
The Preble Street Teen Center and Overnight shelter will soon be under one roof! Construction on Joe’s Place has officially begun.
Named after Preble Street founder Joe Kreisler, Joe’s Place will offer a safe space for young people experiencing homelessness to receive support 24/7. Until now, the Teen Center and Teen Shelter have been across the street from each other, meaning youth have had to gather their backpack and other belongings twice a day to transfer back and forth. When Joe’s Place is complete next year, youth will have a stable place to rest, recover, and connect with the services they need to move into housing and a hopeful future.
Preble Street has been providing services to teens for nearly 30 years. Noting the high numbers of young people arriving at the old Resource Center, Preble Street began offering dedicated teen services in 1996. The Teen Center opened as a day space for youth-specific services including specialized health care, employment services, mental health and substance use counseling, and an education center.
Since then, Preble Street Teen Services has expanded to include the overnight Teen Shelter, Teen Housing, and Teen Outreach. These programs provide services for youth experiencing homelessness between the ages of 12-24 in Maine.
Joe’s Place has been a long-time hope of the agency, and we’re so thankful that we can make it a reality. Bringing all of Teen Services under one roof will mean even more stability, increased safety, and one less transition for homeless youth to navigate.
Anti-Trafficking Services at risk without federal funds
Pictured: Most of the Preble Street ATS team, in front of a portrait of dee Clarke, a trafficking survivor who became an inspirational advocate As of October 1, Preble Street Anti-Trafficking Services (ATS) and many other anti-trafficking program providers across the country will be left without a large part of their funding. Since launching in
#LetMEVote
Use our #LetMEVote social media toolkit to help educate your fellow Mainers about why they should Vote No on Question 1 in November! Access toolkit The results of Maine Referendum Question 1 will have a huge effect on voting rights in our state. On November’s ballot, there is a referendum question asking whether voters should be
An invaluable community connection
Preble Street’s work is never done in isolation. We are continuously making connections with other social service providers and nonprofits to better serve clients and the needs of the community. This month, we are highlighting a key partner of Preble Street Rapid Re-Housing Services and Veterans Housing Services, Trinity Jubilee Center. Serving over 5,000 people