A follow up with the speaker from MECEP’s 5/4 Shepard Lee Lecture and one of the panelists who explored the challenges and opportunities of community organizing in the era of social media and shrinking urban hubs. Host: Christopher St. John, MECEP Executive Director Guest(s): Michael Gecan, Industrial Areas Foundation and Donna Yellen, Preble Street
AUGUSTA — It is coming down to that time of year when the legislature must make some hard choices in order to balance the budget. That’s why advocates for low income housing and the homeless took their message to the statehouse Tuesday. They held a rally to protest proposed cuts to the state’s “home fund.” … Read more
There are many myths and stereotypes about the "homeless". Myths and stereotypes come about due to misconceptions born of ignorance, overgeneralizations from a single experience, and poor access to the real facts. Since the homeless population is often called "the invisible population," it is understandable why these myths and stereotypes develop and why they persist. … Read more
MCC is delighted to honor Donna Yellen, Board Member and long time parishioner of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Portland. Donna is the Director of the Maine Hunger Initiative and Advocacy at Preble Street, a social service agency whose mission is to provide services to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger and poverty and … Read more
A group in Portland remembers the homeless who have passed away with a vigil on the longest night of the year.
PORTLAND – As people began to gather in the twilight in the courtyard outside the Preble Street Resource Center, Dee Clarke lit a candle in honor of homeless people who have died in Portland. “No one should have to die on the street,” said Clarke, who once was homeless and now is an advocate leader … Read more
Homeless Voices for Justice was devastated to read of yet another death in the homeless community. James Stewart’s death, reported Sept. 2, brings the count to eight this summer alone. Can you imagine if eight members of another community in Portland had passed in two months? What would the response be then? We are angered … Read more
PORTLAND – A group of gubernatorial candidates fielded questions on issues centering on homelessness Tuesday during a forum at the Preble Street social service agency. About 25 people, most of them homeless, attended the forum, which was sponsored by the Homeless Voices for Justice group. The candidates who attended were Democrat Libby Mitchell and independent … Read more
PORTLAND, Maine — A new donation has given a boost to the Preble Street Resource Center’s effort to make up for funding withdrawn by the Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development withdrew support from "The Preble Street Homeless Voices for Justice Program." The diocese said that … Read more
It’s a warm day in Portland’s Tommy Park, and homeless people pass through in no particular hurry. But advocates say in the summer, the homeless also fan out to less safe parts of town, exposing them to greater risk of attacks, which they say appear to be increasing this year. Dee Clark, who is formerly … Read more