NEWS & UPDATES
In the debate about same-sex marriage, civil unions fall short
A lot has changed in the three years since I became the first governor in the country to sign legislation allowing same-sex couples to marry. One thing, however, is as true today as it was then: Civil unions and domestic partnerships are not the same as marriage. Opponents of allowing same-sex couples to marry say
Maine House candidates address concerns of homeless
PORTLAND – Affordable housing, emergency shelters, supported living and police profiling were among the issues tackled by six City Council candidates during a forum Thursday at the Preble Street social service agency. They weren’t abstract concepts to those who attended. All were homeless, had struggled with homelessness or worked in the shelter. The "You Don’t
Stand down helps many veterans stand up
TOGUS — A few years ago, Mark Seger was living what he describes as an upper-middle-class lifestyle. He had a family, a job and even a little money in the bank. That all changed in 2010, when Seger’s marriage ended in divorce, the company where he worked was sold and closed, and the trailer he
Baldacci to ladle up sauce again in support of same-sex marriage
Former Gov. John Baldacci will be ladling out the sauce again next week in Bangor and Portland at events sponsored by Catholics for Marriage Equality and the Religious Coalition Against Discrimination. The money raised at the events will be donated to organizations that support the homeless in Bangor and Portland rather than to Mainers United
Portland panel urges regional solution to homelessness
PORTLAND – The mayor and city manager must work with surrounding communities to solve the city’s homelessness problem, a leader of the city’s Task Force on Homelessness said Monday. The City Council received a brief presentation about the task force’s report during a workshop session Monday at City Hall. A public hearing and council action
Surviving sex trafficking as a child, finding a voice
As a girl and a survivor of sex trafficking, dee Clarke didn’t have the words to explain what had happened to her. All she knew was “prostitute.” But that wasn’t right. It was years before she said: kidnapped, raped, tortured, trafficked. Now 55 and living in Portland, she has found the language to explain the
Homeless advocate Steve Huston leaves legacy
PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — People who work with the homeless in the Greater Portland area are mourning a man they say fought tirelessly for people struggling with homelessness, poverty and addiction. 53-year old Steve Huston died unexpectedly at his home in Portland in last Thursday. Like many of the people he advocated for, Huston
King, Dill pledge support for homeless programs
PORTLAND – Independent Angus King and Democrat Cynthia Dill told members of Portland’s homeless community Thursday that they want to improve access to affordable housing and protect the social safety net. The event was sponsored by Homeless Voices for Justice and the Preble Street social services agency. King and Dill toured the agency’s facility downtown
Task force airs new strategy for helping Portland's homeless
PORTLAND – A task force has unveiled a sweeping plan for reducing homelessness in the city. The plan, still in its draft form, calls for creating a centralized process for assessing homeless people; building three, 35-unit housing facilities, and expanding case management services to better match the needs of clients. Nearly 100 people filled City
Steven Huston, 53, passionate advocate for Portland's homeless
PORTLAND – Steven Huston, a longtime advocate for Preble Street Homeless Voices for Justice, fought tirelessly for people struggling with homelessness, poverty and addiction. Huston, like those for whom he battled, struggled with alcoholism and chronic homelessness. He died unexpectedly Thursday in his recliner at his apartment on Wilmot Street in Portland. He was 53.
More girls from Maine and Portland being forced into $32 billion sex trade
PORTLAND, Maine – Young women and girls are being lured from their lives in Maine and disappearing into a dark world, where they are regularly beaten, raped and sold all over the country. According to service providers and law enforcement experts, the modern-day slave trade is not only alive in Maine, but relies on this
Homelessness task force addresses growing issue
PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) – More than 300 people will seek emergency shelter in Portland tonight. And those numbers are growing. A task force has spent the last year looking for ways to address the issue and Wednesday night they shared their findings with the public. The task force believes that its recommendations can save
