This month we celebrated the 30th anniversary of Homeless Voices for Justice (HVJ)! Since 1995, HVJ has ensured that the voices of people with lived experience of homelessness are heard by people in power.
Preble Street Founder Joe Kreisler knew that true change can only occur when people who are experiencing a problem are part of the solution. HVJ Advocates all have lived experience of homelessness. They listen to people in shelters, on the street, on the bus, in housing programs, and they bring that knowledge and their own knowledge to people in power, whether that’s the City Council, the state legislature, or members of the U.S. Congress.
Over the years, their advocacy has resulted in legislation and policies improving shelters, expanding services to homeless youth, outlawing hate crimes against people experiencing homelessness, and more. Their annual vigils for the Longest Day and Longest Night of Homelessness, along with their You Don’t Need A Home to Vote Campaign, have empowered others with lived experience, while educating the public about the problems our unhoused neighbors face.
The 30th anniversary celebration honored current and past advocates, and the spirit of “Nothing About Us Without Us.” Cheryl Harkins, an advocate with HVJ for a little over 10 years, spoke.
“In the early 1990s, Portland experienced rising homelessness, a tightening housing market, and escalating tensions around shelter policies. Preble Street recognized that services alone could not correct systemic injustice. They helped start the Consumer Advocacy Project, HVJ’s original name. Its mission was to center voices of people with lived experience of homelessness or poverty to influence policy, civic participation, and social change. Individuals like dee Clark and Steve Huston provided a stable backbone to guide the other members… HVJ still maintains any policy decisions have to include voices of the people actually experiencing homelessness. It is our firm belief that housing and shelter is a human right, and that permanent, supportive housing is essential to end chronic homelessness.”
“It’s now the current group’s job to carry the torch. Jim Devine has been here with us the longest, over 25 years. Our other advocates are Benjamin Martineau, Eric Brewer, Michael Stockmeyer, Lisa Franklin and myself. We’re the advocates who will continue the work that needs to be done. We will never forget where we came from. Happy anniversary, and here’s to 30 more.”
TAKE ACTION to Protect Maine’s Public Schools, Hospitals, Daycares, and Libraries from ICE
Tell your Maine legislators to support LD 2106! Increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, as part of the dehumanizingly named ‘Operation Catch of the Day,’ is creating constant fear and anxiety for so many of our neighbors, leaving them scared to leave their homes, go to work, take their children to school, seek
Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention in Maine
Hailey Virusso, Director of Preble Street Anti-Trafficking Services, spoke with News Center Maine about human trafficking in our state. Watch here. ACTION ALERT: On Wednesday, February 4, Maine’s Health and Human Services Committee will hold a public hearing on LD 2136, An Act to Support Victims of Trafficking in Maine in Response to Federal Funding
“Anti-poverty work is trafficking prevention.” – an interview with Alicia Peters
Alicia Peters, Ph.D., is an associate professor of anthropology at the University of New England. Her most recent book, “Trafficking Trajectories: Vulnerability, Failed Systems, and the Case for Prevention” focuses on the experiences of trafficking survivors in Maine and New Hampshire. Prevention, survivors’ needs Since your focus most recently has been on Maine and New