How did you first get involved with Preble Street? My wife is from Maine, and we’d come up frequently to visit my in-laws before moving up here permanently. On one of these trips, I was lucky enough to meet Swannie through my father-in-law, John Roberts, and got a tour of the organization. It stuck with … Read more
“I had just one thing in mind, one goal in mind,” shares Cindy Neff, from the apartment building she has been living in for the past six months. “I wanted to get off the streets. I wanted to live again. I wanted a roof over my head. I wanted that safety net back for myself. … Read more
There is a lot to reflect on as we wind down Preble Street’s 50th anniversary year. A lot! In February, Preble Street began operating our first 24/7 program outside of Portland when we stepped in to prevent the closure of Bangor’s Hope House Emergency Shelter. In June, we celebrated our anniversary with more than 800 partners, friends, volunteers, current and former staff, and community members and combined our voices to call for Justice for … Read more
Please join us to honor and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Preble Street! GATHER with supporters, former and current staff, volunteers, partner organizations, and community members to CELEBRATE all that we have accomplished in the last 50 years to find solutions for homelessness and hunger in Maine. This event is free to attend. Advance registration is requested. EVERYONE … Read more
Maine’s 41 emergency shelters are at capacity almost every night and still struggling to meet the growing need with current state funding levels. According to a recent study by MaineHousing, it costs an average of $102 a night to operate a shelter bed in Maine (including administration, staff, and support services). Currently, emergency shelters only receive $7 … Read more
Chris Costa of News Center Maine joins us in conversation with our partners: Equality Community Center Greater Portland Health Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project Maine Needs Wednesday, April 9, 20255:00 – 7:30 pm Maine Studio Works, 170 Anderson Street, Portland, ME 04101 Get Directions! We look forward to seeing you tonight! We welcome walk-in registrations for … Read more
For 50 years, Preble Street has advocated for keeping people in Maine fed, sheltered, and housed. We are deeply committed to lifting up the voices of marginalized and underserved populations, bringing people together to focus on solutions, and ensuring that everyone in our state has food, clothing, and shelter. As a social work agency, we … Read more
Something will happen again, whether it be a natural disaster or global pandemic. When it does happen, Preble Street will be there to work with partners, support our community, and ensure people are getting fed. Mark Swann, Preble Street Executive Director During the pandemic, Preble Street, like many other organizations, had to suspend its soup … Read more
Since its start as a small social work agency in Portland, Maine, Preble Street has been guided by its commitment to mission and empowering vulnerable Mainers. Earlier this year, this commitment led Preble Street to assume operations of Hope House, a 56-bed emergency low-barrier shelter in Bangor, after Penobscot Community Health Care (PCHC) announced the shelter … Read more
No one should have to live outside. Everyone regardless of who they are or where they come from needs a safe place to call home. There are hundreds of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Maine this winter, living outside in the cold… in parks, under bridges, beneath overpasses, and in many other places not meant … Read more