Advocacy Programs

Take Action: Tell Maine to provide permanent funding for emergency shelters!

UPDATE MARCH 10, 2026: Please contact Maine’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs committee (AFA@legislature.maine.gov) today and tell them to permanently allocate $5 million/year to sustain Maine’s 1,200 emergency shelter beds! —  UPDATE FEBRUARY 24, 2026: Mainers experiencing homelessness need you to advocate for shelter funding now! After the public hearing and work session on the shelter funding bill … Read more

Preble Street testimony in support of permanent, sustainable funding for Maine emergency shelters

Maine needs and deserves safe, accessible, professionally run, and sustainable emergency shelters that can meet the needs of the growing number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our state. On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, shelter executive directors and staff from across the state went to Augusta to advocate for a sustainable funding source that … Read more

TAKE ACTION to Protect Maine’s Public Schools, Hospitals, Daycares, and Libraries from ICE

Tell your Maine legislators to support LD 2106!  Increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, as part of the dehumanizingly named ‘Operation Catch of the Day,’ is creating constant fear and anxiety for so many of our neighbors, leaving them scared to leave their homes, go to work, take their children to school, seek … Read more

Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention in Maine

Hailey Virusso, Director of Preble Street Anti-Trafficking Services, spoke with News Center Maine about human trafficking in our state. Watch here. UPDATE MARCH 10, 2026: Please contact Maine’s Appropriations and Public Affairs Committee and tell them to include $317,000 in one-time funding to support human trafficking survivors in Maine! — ACTION ALERT: On Wednesday, February … Read more

Preble Street statement on ICE actions

TAKE ACTION to Protect Maine’s Public Schools, Hospitals, Daycares, and Libraries from ICE Keeping vulnerable people safe is core to the Preble Street mission. And right now, many of our community members, rightfully so, do not feel safe. Increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, as part of the dehumanizingly named ‘Operation Catch of the Day,’ is creating constant fear and anxiety for so many of our neighbors.  Targeting … Read more

Doubling down on our mission in our 50th year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1j-w6NGTyc This short video reflects back on some of the impactful events of 2025 As I reflect on the 50th year of Preble Street, I’m struck by the contrasts. There was much cause for celebration — assuming operations of the Hope House low-barrier shelter in Bangor, the Grand Opening of the Food Security Hub, celebrating our … Read more

Annual Homeless Persons’s Memorial Vigil

VIGIL LOCATION CHANGE: Tonight’s Annual Homeless Persons’ Vigil has been moved to First Parish Portland Unitarian Universalist at 425 Congress Street, Portland. A candlelight procession will start at the MaineHealth-Preble Street Learning Collaborative, located at 20 Portland Street, at 4:30 pm and proceed to First Parish. Attendees are also welcome to gather inside First Parish beginning … Read more