School increases breakfast participation rate 71%

NORWAY — Guy E. Rowe Elementary School was recently named a top-six finisher in the Full Plates Full Potential challenge. The school increased its breakfast participation rate by 71 percent, which is credited to the school’s recent switch to offering breakfast to all students in the classroom. The school served 708 additional breakfasts the week … Read more

Hunger crisis in Maine prompts national attention

WESTBROOK, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Many kids in Maine, off for the summer, can’t wait to get back to school. It’s because, for some, it’s the only place they’ll get a reliable meal. Many Maine adults also rely on a food assistance program called “SNAP,” which the state and Governor LePage are threatening to eliminate. … Read more

18-unit affordable housing complex opens in Portland

PORTLAND, Maine —A number of formerly homeless veterans now have a place to call home, thanks to a new property in Portland. Thomas Heights held its grand opening celebration Wednesday. The 18-unit affordable housing property is on Washington Avenue. The building was named for Thomas Ptacek, an advocate for homeless veterans. With a shortage in … Read more

Taking affordable housing to new "Heights"

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Formerly homeless veterans are getting a new lease on life thanks to an affordable housing project in Portland. “Thomas Heights” is an 18-unit efficiency apartment building, with five of those units housing previously homeless vets. Avesta Housing was able to complete the $3.6 million dollar project with help from city … Read more

New 18-unit building in Portland designed to house low-income veterans

Thomas Heights, an 18-unit building of efficiency apartments intended for low-income and homeless veterans, will have a grand opening Wednesday in Portland. The $3.6 million project at 134 Washington Ave. was led by the nonprofit Avesta Housing, the state’s largest developer of affordable housing. Thomas Heights is named after Thomas Ptacek, a local advocate for … Read more

9th Annual Homelessness Summer Solstice Vigil takes place on Tuesday

Every so often I receive press releases from various groups in my email inbox. I’m not always sure how or why I’m included in most of the email lists, and I almost always ignore them. However, this evening I received a release from a an advocacy group that’s near and dear to my heart, The … Read more

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Homeless advocates hold 'sit out' to raise awareness in Portland

PORTLAND (WGME) — Homeless advocates held a “sit out” to raise awareness in Portland. Many people supporting the effort at Tommy’s Park Tuesday morning are experiencing homelessness themselves. For the last nine years, advocates with the group Homeless Voices for Justice have come together around the longest day of the year to let people know … Read more