Summer solstice marked as the longest day of the year to be homeless

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Advocates for Maine’s homeless held a noontime rally in Portland to increase awareness and gain support. Members of Homeless Voices For Justice, many of whom have experienced homelessness first-hand, called on Mainers to work to provide more affordable housing and eliminate poverty. “Homelessness is alive and well in urban cities, rural … Read more

Dignitaries celebrate new home for women in Portland

PORTLAND – Hundreds of people gathered June 4 on Valley Street to celebrate the opening of Florence House, the city’s second "Housing First" project. Florence House is home to 25 formerly homeless women and provides a short-term place for up to 40 more women to transition into permanent housing or stay in an emergency shelter. … Read more

Housing for homeless women in Portland

Help is on the way for homeless women in Portland. Today marked the official grand opening of Florence House, a new facility for homeless women that is located in Portland’s West End neighborhood. The building has 25 apartment units as well as several emergency shelter beds. Florence House is named for Florence Young, a social worker … Read more

Officials celebrate opening of Florence House

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Dozens turned out for the grand opening celebration of long-awaited housing for homeless women in Portland. Florence House, named for a long time social worker at the Preble Street Resource Center, actually opened its doors in April. On Friday, people got a chance to tour the three story building, which … Read more

New Housing Project Aims to Open Doors for Portland's Homeless Women

National, state and local elected leaders gathered in Portland today to celebrate the opening of Florence House, a permanent housing facility for homeless women. Its construction was prompted by a sharp rise in homelessness in the city, and officials say it’s a more effective model than emergency overnight shelters. The women at Florence House range … Read more

Housing team to the rescue

PORTLAND – For eight months, Ivelisse Castro spent her nights on a cot in a shelter while she saved her paychecks and waited to qualify for rental assistance. Castro might have waited a lot longer without the help of an aggressive new team of caseworkers who are fighting homelessness in Maine’s largest city. "They’re great," … Read more

16 win awards for service to crime victims

PORTLAND – Sixteen individuals have been honored by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for outstanding service to crime victims. The annual awards were presented Friday in conjunction with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, according to a media release issued today by U.S. Attorney for Maine, Paula Silsby. The award recipients were: Sheriff Donna Dennison and Detective … Read more

Baldacci Hosts Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser For Homeless

AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. John Baldacci is hosting a spaghetti fundraiser in Portland on Wednesday night on behalf of an agency that helps the homeless in Maine’s largest city. Baldacci is holding the spaghetti dinner at the Italian Heritage Center to raise money for the Preble Street Resources Center, which provides hot meals and other … Read more

Spaghetti Supper For Needy

Hundreds stood in line for hours to eat spaghetti served by the Governor. The meal was a fundraiser for a non-profit organization that helps the poor and homeless. The Catholic Church just cut funding for the group saying it violated the rules a grant by associating with those that support same sex marriage. Governor Baldacci … Read more