Press Release

PORTLAND, ME (June 22, 2010) - Avesta Housing was presented with the Community Partner Award and Deb Keller, Development Director of Avesta Housing, was presented with the Joseph D. Kreisler Community Impact Award, by Preble Street at their annual meeting on June 21.

Keller was honored for her commitment to "human dignity and social justice"; and both she and Avesta Housing were recognized for partnering with Preble Street in our communities to respond to the needs of our homeless neighbors, for dedication to the idea that we can do better than shelter the homeless on cots, for moving permanent affordable housing from an idea to the buildings that house scores of real human beings

Other awards announced included the Volunteer of the Year Award presented to Pat Buckley of Portland, a longtime volunteer at the Preble Street Breakfast Soup Kitchen, who was thanked for "her tireless work and caring interaction with clients and other volunteers" that is the epitome of compassion; "for being a good steward and a wonderful human being."

In addition to the community service awards, Preble Street elected a new slate of officers. They include Maurice A. Selinger III, an attorney with Curtis Thaxter, president; Renee Schwalberg, Altarum Institute Practice Area Deputy for Policy, Planning, and Evaluation, vice-president; Ann Houser, Vice President Unum US Human Resources, secretary; and Charlie Roscoe, retired Managing Partner, Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker, Certified Public Accountants, treasurer. And two new board members were appointed to three year terms: Terry Sutton, Vice President of E-Commerce L.L. Bean and Michelle Goldman, Assistant Vice President Unum.

Elaine Rosen, was recognized as Board Member of the Year for her leadership and commitment to Preble Street's mission as she stepped down from a three-year tenure as board president; and The Honorable Peter Darvin and Susannah Swihart were both recognized as they retired from the board. Judge Darvin, the first board president of Preble Street, has served for 25 years and stepped down upon being appointed to the Maine District Court.