Advocacy Programs

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Homelessness Advocates are using the extra hours of sunlight at this time of year to raise awareness in Portland. Friday marks the 8th annual Longest Day of Homelessness Summer Solstice and advocates and community members are holding the sit out at Post Office Park Many of the advocates have been … Read more

PORTLAND, Maine – Homeless advocates from around the state are today holding their annual “sit out” in downtown Portland. The event known as the “Longest Day Vigil” takes place from sunrise until sunset and is intended to draw attention to the realities of being homeless. Among those taking part is 22-year-old Tim Katruch, originally from … Read more

Last Tuesday, more than 200 people showed up in front of Portland City Hall to demonstrate their opposition to disturbing policy changes embedded in the draft municipal budget. These policy changes abandon the city of Portland’s 28-year commitment to provide emergency shelter for anyone who needs it. If this budget passes, there will be no … Read more

It’s not the city of Portland’s fault that more homeless people line up outside the Oxford Street Shelter than the building can hold. It’s not Portland’s fault that the family shelter also faces more demand than it can accommodate. It’s not Portland’s fault that the governor of Maine has decided to make the city the … Read more

Each day thousands of Maine children go to school hungry. In fact, Maine is first in New England for food insecurity among our school-aged children. The long-term consequences of food insecurity are devastating. Without enough food, children have trouble concentrating, they struggle to retain information they learn, and they are more likely to have disciplinary … Read more

AUGUSTA, Maine – Democratic lawmakers may be feeling some pressure to take a harder line against welfare fraud following an election cycle that saw Republicans advance in the House and Senate after campaigning on welfare reform. One Democratic leader has signed on to welfare reform bills, and Republicans have renewed efforts to make it easier … Read more

As an asylum seeker here in Maine, I am a believer in human rights for all people, and my efforts to work for human rights forced me to leave the only home I ever knew. I began to receive threats against my life when I was involved in the Global Youth Anticorruption Network as an … Read more

In 1994, civil war broke out in my homeland, Rwanda. Like many others, I was routinely tortured and feared for my safety and my life. My only option was to escape the political insecurity and ethnic conflict that consumed my home country. I came to Maine in 2007, with a bachelor’s degree and five years … Read more

AUGUSTA – Lawmakers on the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee listened to more than four hours of testimony Wednesday on a half dozen bills sponsored by state Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, aimed at making major changes to the state’s welfare and General Assistance programs. Among other things, Brakey’s bills would make those who have … Read more

… Antonie Bikamba, who fled political persecution and torture in his native Rwanda in 2007, said he relied on General Assistance for roughly a year until receiving a federal work permit. He ultimately went back to school, earned a master’s degree in conflict resolution and now works as a caseworker at Preble Street, a nonprofit … Read more