NEWS & UPDATES
Statement on recent murders of men of color
On April 19, Mario Gonzalez was killed by Alameda, CA police. On March 31, Anthony Alvarez was fatally shot by a Chicago, IL policeman just two days after a different Chicago Police Officer fatally shot and killed 13-year-old Adam Toledo. These killings of men and boys of color in our country reflect the fact that
Preble Street launches new Culturally Appropriate Meals intiative
In 2020 alone, Preble Street provided over one million meals, a reflection of the increasing needs in the community for food support and access to healthy meals. The food programs offer mobile food services and soup kitchens along with a food pantry for those experiencing food insecurity and housing instability or homelessness. In February 2021,
Support LD 1478: An Act to Decriminalize Homelessness
At Preble Street, we know that the solution to homelessness is housing, not handcuffs. That is why we support LD 1478: An Act to Decriminalize Homelessness. Join us in telling the Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety that they must pass this important legislation! Click here to send an email to the
Statement on Derek Chauvin Verdict and the Recent Murders of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Color
Preble Street is relieved that Derek Chauvin has been held accountable for the murder of George Floyd. However, this verdict does not bring justice to Black communities, nor does it solve the centuries-long tradition of racist state violence in America. Yesterday, Andrew Brown, Jr. was killed by a police officer. In the last few weeks,
Help pass LD 996! Dental care IS health care!
This Monday, April 26, at 1 pm there is a public hearing for LD 996: An Act to Improve Dental Access for Maine Children and Adults with Low Incomes. Currently, Mainers with low-income over the age of 21 do not have access to preventative, diagnostic, and restorative dental services. This leaves them in pain with abscesses, tooth decay,
Support LD 1034!
TOMORROW, April 14, at 10am there will be a hearing on LD 1034: An Act to Provide Funding to Support the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations. The Coalition on Racial Equity (CORE) stated that, “The Permanent Commission was formed in 2019 to examine racial disparities across all systems
Volunteer of the Month: Paul
Many volunteers at the Preble Street Central Kitchen bring something special to the table, and Volunteer of the Month, Paul, is no exception! He recently offered to prepare a special Sichuan Beef dish and even donated some ingredients. “It was a different experience making it for 500 people, but I’m going to go ahead and
LD 1238 would deny shelter access to transgender people
UPDATE MAY 3, 2021: The Judiciary Committee will be taking public testimony on this bill at a public hearing this Thursday, May 6 at 9am. We need you to contact the Judiciary Committee to express why this bill should not be passed. Please email the Committee members, submit written testimony, or testify live in opposition
Approximately 200 Preble Street clients received COVID-19 vaccinations last week
From Bangor Daily News: Health care and social service providers have teamed up to vaccinate “close to 200” clients against the virus. Many of them have experienced homelessness during the pandemic and weathered outbreaks within the city’s emergency shelter system. The ongoing vaccination effort has been led by Preble Street, Greater Portland Health and Homeless
Statement on racial violence against Asians and Asian Americans
At Preble Street, we are deeply saddened and appalled by the recent incomprehensible murders of Asian women in Atlanta and the local attack on an Asian family in Maine. As an agency committed to promoting social justice and dismantling structural inequality, we stand with Asian and Asian American communities. Every human being deserves love, compassion, dignity, and
Contact legislators and tell them to support LD 211!
TOMORROW, March 17, the Maine State Committee on Labor and Housing will vote whether to send LD 211: An Act to Support Emergency Shelter Access for Persons Experiencing Homelessness to the full legislature. This critical legislation would allocate $3 million in additional funding to homeless shelters in Maine, allowing them to provide life-saving services to
We must stop preventable overdose deaths
“More people died of an overdose in Maine in 2020 than of COVID-19. Although we don’t have a vaccine for Substance Use Disorder, we do have an antidote. It is the evidenced-based practices that are proven effective in treating it — access to treatment, harm reduction services, and mental health and peer support, and perhaps
