NEWS & UPDATES
New Preble Street Board: Ready for the road ahead
Preble Street is excited to share its new elected officers for its Board of Directors for 2026-2028 (fiscal year beginning on July 1, not calendar year). The new officers are: Chip Leighton, President Yemaya St. Clair, Vice President Joann Bautista, Secretary Justin Rosner, Treasurer “Preble Street has really smart and committed people serving on our
Staff Highlight: Caitlin Tobin – “I learn so much from our clients”
Preble Street staff are #CompassionInAction, and we want you to get to know them! This month we’re introducing you to Caitlin Tobin, 1st Shift Case Manager at the Recuperative Care Program. Name, title, and program: Cait Tobin, Case Manager, Recuperative Care Program (RCP) How long have you worked at Preble Street? I’ve been here for
Funding cuts endanger unsheltered youth
Much like the Street Outreach Collaborative but with a focus on youth, Preble Street’s Teen Outreach Specialists provide resources and basic needs to young people living outside. Though Preble Street is exploring ways to continue this lifesaving program, it is likely coming to an end or will have its services dramatically cut. On July 9,
5 years of “social work without walls”
When someone is focused on day-to-day survival, there is little time to attend to long-term goals. Accessing the limited available resources requires sorting through a convoluted web of systems and can be impossible to navigate alone. Every day for the past 5 years, the small but mighty Street Outreach Collaborative (SOC) at Preble Street works
Statement on White House Executive Order on Homelessness
We are angry today. Angry and pissed off at this awful executive order from the White House that will criminalize homelessness and incentivize communities, states, and agencies to stop doing the things that we are doing and have already proven to work to end homelessness. Housing First with 24-hour supportive services works. Harm reduction approaches
Statement on elimination of funding for Youth Street Outreach
On Wednesday night, we received the awful news that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services decided to consolidate funding for street outreach to unsheltered youth into other awards, which we know effectively destroys this vital resource to prevent youth homelessness, abuse, and trafficking. Our youth Street Outreach Program (SOP) serves young people who
Maine’s 40 Emergency Shelter Providers are thankful for one-time funding to support shelter operations
Maine’s emergency shelter providers applaud the passage of LD 698, An Act to Sustain Emergency Homeless Shelters in Maine. Relying on a mix of private philanthropy and government funding, emergency shelters have faced rising costs, weathered the pandemic and inflation, and continued to meet the changing and complex needs of individuals and families who need
Do your job as a Mainer: Make sure families in our state have food and healthcare!
Someone you know — likely MANY people you know — are about to lose food assistance and healthcare. Food and healthcare are basic human rights that, for many Mainers, are only possible through SNAP and Medicaid. The massive proposed cuts to these vital programs will harm thousands of Maine caregivers, older adults, people with disabilities, Veterans, families,
Walking alongside survivors
Photo credit: Maine Morning Star 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 Anti-Trafficking Services, MECASA. The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault
The Longest Day of Homelessness
“Homelessness is hard work… Sometimes, the hardest thing for a person who is homeless to do, believe it or not, is just getting out of bed knowing that he’s going to repeat today what he’s been doing all week long.” Orlando (pictured above), Advocate; Person experiencing homelessness On Friday, June 20, while many of us
Board Profile – John Roberts
How did you first get involved with Preble Street? I had heard great things about Preble Street, the critical nature of the work, and admired the mission. My former boss Elaine Rosen was on the board, and I knew a few others and wanted to see if I could help out. In my first assignment,
Celebrating 15 Years of Florence House
Since April 2010, Florence House has been a solution to homelessness. Florence House combines emergency shelter and permanent housing with 24/7 social work support for chronically homeless women. In the past 15 years, nearly 2,500 women experiencing homelessness have found a safe bed and a warm meal in the low-barrier shelter. And nearly 70 women
