Advocacy Programs

PORTLAND, Maine-As the media compile their retrospectives of the notable events and people of 2014, homeless advocates in Portland and Lewiston are remembering those died. "It’s so sad to look at the list this year, and some of these people we’ve known for a long, long time." says Mark Swann, Executive Director of Preble Street … Read more

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) Vigils to raise awareness for the homeless in Maine are being held to honor more than 30 homeless people who have died this year. Portland’s annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Vigil takes place Monday evening. It ends in Monument Square with the lighting of candles to honor those who have died. Mark … Read more

PORTLAND (WGME) — The annual Homeless Person’s Memorial Vigil was held in Portland to honor more than 30 homeless people who died this year. Hundreds of people met at Preble Street and marched to Monument Square Monday night. Their names were read and a candle lit in their honor. Judy Newell shared her story of … Read more

AUGUSTA – More than 6,000 Maine residents will lose their food stamps benefits next month under newly enforced rules that require some recipients to have a job, Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew said. Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration began in October to enforce a three-month limit on benefits for childless adults … Read more

Advocates for the homeless in Portland, Maine, marched through the city today to plead for better access to public transportation. The annual event, organized by Homeless Voices for Justice, was created six years ago to highlight a particular challenge that impacts the city’s 3,000 homeless residents. Marching alongside a cutout of a cardboard bus, the … Read more

PORTLAND, Maine – Advocates for Maine’s poor and homeless say changes to MaineCare are leaving many clients without reliable transportation, and that the results can be catastrophic for some. Until a few months ago, Maine Care provided clients with regular appointments with unlimited monthly bus passes; but now, the state contracts transportation to several companies … Read more

Portland’s Homeless Persons Annual Memorial Vigil sponsored by Preble Street Resource Center, Mercy Hospital and the city of Portland will take place Christmas week. Monday, Dec. 22, is a time to remember the homeless who have died and to recommit to the task of ending homelessness, according to Preble Street. A candlelight procession will start … Read more

… Donna Yellen, chief program officer for Preble Street, said that since the federal government put the state on notice, there has been no evidence that the state has done anything to clarify its policy. "We are still hearing from people who are asking, ‘Do we have to have a photograph?’" Yellen said. "It’s still … Read more

PORTLAND – It took two votes, but city councilors on Monday approved a new Portland Public Library policy allowing security staff to give trespass orders to unruly patrons. The new policy adds three constable positions beginning Jan. 1, 2015, despite warnings from homeless advocates the policy will unfairly target some of the city’s most vulnerable … Read more