Give Hope. Every Month. Every day, people in Maine face hunger, homelessness, and poverty. By joining the Friends of Joe monthly giving circle, you provide consistent, reliable support that ensures no neighbor is left out in the cold. Your monthly gift ensures a hot meal is waiting for someone who is hungry; a safe bed … Read more
50 years ago, Joe Kreisler founded Preble Street as a real-world training ground for his students at the University of Southern Maine and a place for Portland’s most vulnerable residents to receive basic services—meals, clothing, bathrooms, etc.—and to connect to resources for healthcare, mental health treatment, employment, and more. “I am a human being. Part … Read more
The work we do to empower people experiencing homelessness, hunger, and poverty is never done alone. We are continuously making connections with other social service providers and nonprofits to better serve clients and the needs of the community. From our decades-long collaboration with Avesta Housing for our housing programs to our new partnership with Maine … Read more
For 50 years, volunteers have been a key part of Preble Street, helping ensure that the agency is able to meet the basic human rights of Mainers. In fact, the agency was staffed solely by student interns and volunteers for its first 10 years! Today, over 1,500 volunteers contribute 20,000 hours of service each year. … Read more
During our 50 years in operation, Preble Street has had to adapt to changing needs and a shifting landscape many times. Never was this truer than in the days, months, and years that followed March 16, 2020. Five years ago this month, while the world was urged to stay home, a question loomed over staff … 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
Preble Street Hope House is one of only five privately operated adult low-barrier shelters in Maine and the only one north of Waterville. Hope House, located in Bangor, Maine, is the first 24/7, 365 day a year Preble Street program outside of Portland and joins Preble Street’s Veterans Housing and Anti-Trafficking Services in providing services … Read more
Hunger and homelessness have been on the rise in Maine post-pandemic, leaving thousands of fellow Mainers without enough food and without shelter or housing. Lack of available housing and shelter options leaves many experiencing homelessness with no choice other than to shelter outside. This leads to increased interactions with law enforcement and fewer connections to … Read more
“One of the biggest misconceptions, specifically here in Maine, is the mentality that it doesn’t happen here. It absolutely happens here, and that is why our program is in existence.” Hailey Virusso, Preble Street Director of Anti-Trafficking Services There’s no one face of human trafficking… a survivor can be someone who got pesticide poisoning, forced … Read more
“Preble Street is family to me. I don’t have family, and if I didn’t have them, where would I be?” – Teen Services Youth According to the latest data, over 30% of the people experiencing homelessness in Maine were under the age of 24. Young people in Maine experience homelessness for many different reasons… some are victims … Read more