New Portland teen shelter 'so much better'

PORTLAND – Crystal Swain immediately noticed the new mattresses at Preble Street Resource Center’s Joe Kreisler Teen Shelter. “These beds are so much better,” the 19-year-old exclaimed as she sat down for an interview Monday. The $3 million shelter at 38 Preble St. – with its 24 new beds – is set to open in … Read more

Homeless students getting younger

BRUNSWICK – The numbers of youth taking advantage of the Merrymeeting Project have remained stable over the past several years, but the age of homeless students taking advantage has dropped in recent years. “For my project, we serve school-age students, predominantly high school students that are couch surfing,” said Donna Verhoeven, director of the Merrymeeting … Read more

Roving team assisting Portland's young homeless

PORTLAND – In response to a surge in the number of young homeless people in the city, the Preble Street Resource Center has an outreach team roaming streets and parks, connecting homeless youths to social services. The four-member team visits popular hangouts, such as Tommy’s Park and the camp sites in the woods along West … Read more

Portland councilors weigh grant requests

PORTLAND – Facing more than $3 million in funding requests, the City Council will have to make difficult choices April 9. That’s when councilors will vote on City Manager Mark Rees’ proposal for distributing about $1.8 million in federal Community Development Block Grants. Rees is recommending that the money be spent on a variety of … Read more

Preble Street Teen Services earns national attention

PORTLAND, Maine — Teenagers arrive at Preble Street’s Teen Center or Lighthouse Shelter for a wide range of reasons. Abuse, sexual abuse, trouble with the law, family crises. But once they show up, none are turned away. “Anybody under 21 who walks through our doors can get their basic needs met,” said Chris Bicknell, director … Read more

Teen Services coordinator Chris Bicknell featured on Dr. Lisa Radio Show & Podcast

From an aching back to an aching life. How do we combat the ‘slings and arrows of outrageous fortune’ that bring discomfort to our bodies? Our guests include Dr. Mike Totta of the Spine Center at Orthopedic Associates Dr. Bob Lynch of Lynch Chiropractic Arts Center Chris Bicknell Coordinator of the Teen Center and Lighthouse … Read more

Shelter by next summer?

PORTLAND – It’s become a nearly daily ritual for the homeless youths in Maine’s largest city — a lottery to see who gets a bed and who doesn’t. "Four out of five nights, we’re turning young people away," said Mark Swann, executive director of Preble Street, a non-profit agency that runs the city’s only shelter … Read more

Preble Street seeks new home for Lighthouse teen shelter

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Preble Street is hoping to move its homeless shelter for teens. But first, it needs approval from Portland’s planning board. A workshop was held on the proposed move of the Lighthouse Shelter Tuesday afternoon. Preble Street says the current shelter is in a building with a crumbling foundation and it … Read more