STORIES

Matthew’s Story

The first time Matthew experienced homelessness was when he was 14. He was living in the woods of rural Maine in a tent by himself. Depression about his situation led to substance use, which led to more depression, and he went a decade without seeing or speaking with his family.

When he finally connected to the Preble Street Resource Center, staff helped him realize that a lot of his problems came from untreated health issues and referred Matthew to Preble Street Health Services, which works with our partners at Maine Medical Center to ensure vulnerable people have access to quality, barrier-free healthcare.

The life expectancy of people who endure chronic homelessness is 28 years shorter, on average, than that of people who are housed. And people struggling with homelessness and opioid use disorder are nine times more likely to die from an overdose than those who are stably housed.

“Staff at Preble Street would call me to make sure I was going to appointments, check up on me to make sure I went, and ask what happened there. I had trouble accepting that I needed that kind of help. But I did need it. It felt good to be cared about.”

Through Preble Street Health Services, Matthew had access to providers and transportation so he wouldn’t miss appointments. A psychiatrist got him on the right medication; our partners at Greater Portland Health gave him a voucher to fix his broken teeth; and Preble Street helped Matthew find housing.

Matthew now resides in a sober living community and has not used any substances for three years. He speaks with his mother every day and spent Christmas with her.

“This is all due to recovery, and Preble Street played a huge part in that,” says Matthew. “They provided me with little different stepping stones, which made me want to change.”

Back to all stories

Nick’s Story

Nickolas has an easy smile and an incredible self-awareness that seems uncommon among people in their mid to late twenties. Growing up, he lived with his siblings and his mother, who did her best to raise her children, but suffered from substance use disorder. After aging out of foster care at age 18, Nickolas experienced

Read More »

Dominick’s Story

Twenty-one-year-old Dominick is working day-by-day to build a better life for himself. A rap artist, he writes and performs songs about his experiences, hoping to ensure that Maine youth don’t feel as alone and unsupported as he did when he was younger.    “When I was fifteen, I was very angry and bitter. I was just

Read More »

George’s Story

For the two years that he experienced homelessness, 67-year-old George had to carry all his belongings on his back. A friend who had been connected to an apartment through the Preble Street Rapid Re-Housing program suggested George reach out. “I was feeling really discouraged, but after I got in touch with Rapid Re-Housing, they got

Read More »