PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Homelessness Advocates are using the extra hours of sunlight at this time of year to raise awareness in Portland.

Friday marks the 8th annual Longest Day of Homelessness Summer Solstice and advocates and community members are holding the sit out at Post Office Park

Many of the advocates have been there out since sunrise which was just before 5 a.m. and they plan to stay out there until sunset.

Homeless Voices for Justice advocates and community members, have organized the sit out to show support for those who experience homelessness and to highlight the causes and circumstances of homelessness, and to discuss what needs to be done to end homelessness.

Homelessness increases during the summer, and is just as deadly in the warmer months as it is in the winter.

Following the national trend, Maine also sees an increase in violence against those who are homeless during the summer months.
Hunger and homelessness continue to increase, with soup kitchens and food pantries serving record numbers and shelters overflowing every night.

Anyone interested in participating in the sit-out is welcome to join for five minutes, an hour, or the whole day.