Housing Services Increased homelessness and its root causes are not unique to Portland. Despite what we hear about a strengthening economy, homelessness and hunger have exploded and many thousands of hungry, cold and ill Americans are living on streets in cities and towns across the country. And, across the country, municipalities and service providers struggle daily with … Read more
A group of veterans gathered outside of Congressman Bruce Poliquin’s office Wednesday morning urging him not to support the Farm Bill. They say this bill that includes legislation from the Congressman’s Food Stamp Integrity Act, proposes significant cuts and harsher time limits to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also called SNAP. See more…
Behind the struggles with drugs, crime and extreme poverty in Portland’s Bayside neighborhood – described in a lengthy article in the May 6 Maine Sunday Telegram – is a fundamentally broken mental health system and inadequate treatment for those suffering with substance use disorder. It’s really that simple. Read more…
Faith leaders gathered in Augusta on Wednesday to host a vigil for the hundreds of people in Maine lost last year to drug overdoses. They’re calling on lawmakers to fully fund a number of bills aimed at addressing the opioid crisis in the state. “418 people died last year from overdoses – that’s more than … Read more
With Maine listed as having the third-highest rate of food insecurity in the country, Maine Medical Center’s pediatrics unit is teaming up with the Preble Street Maine Hunger Initiative to help reduce that number. The Hunger Vital Sign program connects patients with food options that they may not have otherwise, the hospital said. “It’s really … Read more
It is happening here in Maine and many people are not aware of it. We are talking about human trafficking, and it comes in many forms. Fiona Mason and Donna Yellen from Preble Street’s Anti-trafficking Coalition join us to talk about this problem in our state. Feel free to ask questions and we will try … Read more
The Maine Homeless Veterans Action Committee delivered its annual update on the state of veteran homelessness Wednesday. An estimated 278 veterans became homeless last year in Maine. 192 of them were housed by local organizations. Data was collected from emergency shelters and community volunteers to create a better understanding of who the homeless are as … Read more
Whether a person is homeless as a result of a spiraling drug problem, or abusing drugs to cope with life on the street, homelessness and addiction are inexorably linked. Feeding off each other, and on what is perhaps the most vulnerable population, they cause a tremendous amount of suffering, and fuel a public health crisis … Read more
There’s a new initiative to fight Maine’s opioid crisis that focuses on tackling homelessness. See more…
Forty homeless people died in Greater Portland this year and Nancy McKeil has a solemn message for those fortunate enough to have a home and warm bed to sleep in this winter. “It should never happen,” said McKeil, who lives in Section 8 housing in Portland. “No one should ever have to be homeless.” McKeil … Read more
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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.
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