Adult Services PORTLAND, Maine – Next week, the city of Portland is expected to submit a formal response to a recent state audit that strongly criticized aspects of its General Assistance program. That response will include a more thorough screening process of homeless shelter residents’ financial assets. The city looks set to adopt a number of proposals … Read more
PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — A city committee will consider changes to Portland’s general assistance program after a state audit found violations. The state reimburses all cities and towns for a portion of general assistance spending. Portland includes the operating costs for its emergency shelter, but the state wants the city to bill based on … Read more
… Although a few dozen people came to council chambers to listen to the proceedings, only one person spoke during a public comment period. Mark Swann, executive director of the social services provider Preble Street, acknowledged the difficult position the city has been placed in, but urged the councilors to continue Portland’s commitment to serving … Read more
A lot of words have already been written in reaction to the "gotcha" revelation by Gov. LePage and Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew that some of the chronically homeless in Portland have sizable bank accounts, followed by the city’s attempt to inject reason into the discussion and, finally, the honest and poignant statement … Read more
The sound bite was meant to shock and outrage: People with money are staying at a Portland shelter for years at a time, the Department of Health and Human Services said, pointing an angry finger at Portland officials. Gov. Paul LePage has long been at odds with Portland over payments for social services. Now, he … Read more
PORTLAND, Maine – A recent audit of Portland’s homeless shelters has highlighted what some state officials say is mismanagement of General Assistance funds. At issue is a city policy that allows some long-term shelter residents with substantial savings in the bank to access services. Homeless advocates and city representatives say the state is oversimplifying a … Read more
Jennifer Richard Jacobson wears many hats. She’s a teacher, an educational consultant and a speaker. She’s also a writer and her latest book is called Paper Things. It deals with something that is hiding in plain sight – homelessness among children. She’s got a book signing coming up Thursday and proceeds from the event will … Read more
Multiple snowstorms forced a delay, but not a stop, to Holy Cross Catholic School’s collection of items for the Preble Street Shelter in Portland and the Animal Refuge League in Westbrook. Representatives from both organizations attended a prayer service Feb. 6 at Holy Cross Church in South Portland for a presentation by students who led … Read more
Diners visiting dozens of eateries for "Maine Restaurant Week" over the next two weeks may not realize the meal deals served up by Portland-local restaurants are taking initiative from of the nation’s hottest marketing trends – "cause marketing." Broadly defined, "cause marketing" refers to a cooperative effort between for-profit and non-profit organizations for mutual benefit. … Read more
No one chooses to be homeless. It’s a hard life, especially during a winter like this one. You wait in line for food, wait in line to use the bathroom, wait in line for a place to sleep. Homeless people get sick more often than the rest of the population, according to the U.S. Centers … Read more
We’re now live on Bluesky! Follow and like our page here.
The mission of Preble Street is to provide accessible barrier-free services to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty, and to advocate for solutions to these problems.
Copyright © 2020 • Preble Street • All Rights Reserved • View Privacy Policy