NEWS & UPDATES
TAKE ACTION to Protect Maine’s Public Schools, Hospitals, Daycares, and Libraries from ICE
Tell your Maine legislators to support LD 2106! Increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, as part of the dehumanizingly named ‘Operation Catch of the Day,’ is creating constant fear and anxiety for so many of our neighbors, leaving them scared to leave their homes, go to work, take their children to school, seek
Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention in Maine
Hailey Virusso, Director of Preble Street Anti-Trafficking Services, spoke with News Center Maine about human trafficking in our state. Watch here. ACTION ALERT: On Wednesday, February 4, Maine’s Health and Human Services Committee will hold a public hearing on LD 2136, An Act to Support Victims of Trafficking in Maine in Response to Federal Funding
“Anti-poverty work is trafficking prevention.” – an interview with Alicia Peters
Alicia Peters, Ph.D., is an associate professor of anthropology at the University of New England. Her most recent book, “Trafficking Trajectories: Vulnerability, Failed Systems, and the Case for Prevention” focuses on the experiences of trafficking survivors in Maine and New Hampshire. Prevention, survivors’ needs Since your focus most recently has been on Maine and New
Impact of current ICE actions on Preble Street
TAKE ACTION to Protect Maine’s Public Schools, Hospitals, Daycares, and Libraries from ICE Leah McDonald, Vice President of Staff & Culture at Preble Street, shares how the recent surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in Maine is affecting staff and their work. How would you describe Preble Street staff and the work they
Preble Street statement on ICE actions
TAKE ACTION to Protect Maine’s Public Schools, Hospitals, Daycares, and Libraries from ICE Keeping vulnerable people safe is core to the Preble Street mission. And right now, many of our community members, rightfully so, do not feel safe. Increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, as part of the dehumanizingly named ‘Operation Catch of the Day,’ is creating constant fear and anxiety for so many of our neighbors. Targeting
5 top legislative priorities – Spring 2026
The second session of the 132nd Maine Legislature began on January 7 and will run until April 15. Maine’s Legislature works in two-year cycles that include a long and a short session. We are in the short session, which covers only two types of bills: carry-overs (bills filed last session that still need to be
Doubling down on our mission in our 50th year
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1j-w6NGTyc This short video reflects back on some of the impactful events of 2025 As I reflect on the 50th year of Preble Street, I’m struck by the contrasts. There was much cause for celebration — assuming operations of the Hope House low-barrier shelter in Bangor, the Grand Opening of the Food Security Hub, celebrating our
Staff highlight: Rich Tucker – Helping clients move forward
Preble Street staff are #CompassionInAction, and we want you to get to know them! This month we’re introducing you to Rich Tucker, Housing Support Worker, Teen Services How long have you worked at Preble Street? And in your current program? I’ve been at Preble Street since November 2005, and with Teen Services for almost 4 years. What do you
Board Profile – Lauren Gauthier
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
50 years of food security
At 6 am on a frosty morning in early November, the lights and ovens get turned on at the Preble Street Food Security Hub (FSH). By 7am, volunteers and staff begin to fill the kitchen, and by 8:30 am, everything is humming along. The smell of roast chicken fills the air while knives go thunk
Everyone deserves a safety net
“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.
Letter from Swannie: Winter/Spring 2026
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