“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 of human trafficking or are running away from violent or abusive situations. There are a disproportionately high number of youth experiencing homelessness who identify as LGBTQ+. Some young people are coming to the U.S. due to war, political turmoil, or violence in their home countries. While each story and situation may look different, everyone deserves a safe place to sleep at night, regardless of their gender, race, sexuality, where they come from, or their family situation.
There is hope for progress on youth homelessness in Maine, but there are still several challenges. For several months, The Preble Street Joe Kreisler Teen Shelter has been full nearly every night. There are several reasons for this, including an increase in the number of referrals for minors, lack of accessible and affordable housing options, and an overall shortage of shelter beds for youth across the state.
The lack of affordable housing in Maine has been worsened by the ongoing freeze on housing vouchers that started this summer. Youth in shelter rely heavily on systems that provide rental assistance, primarily housing vouchers and general assistance. The lack of vouchers and the continued increase in rent is preventing youth from moving out of shelter, increasing the time youth remain in shelter, and ultimately preventing Preble Street from being able to accept new intakes. Shelter stays have increased from an average of 3-6 months to 6-9+ months.
The Teen Center celebrated 9 youth who graduated from high school and GED Programs this spring.
While many challenges still remain, Preble Street Teen Services is working to break the cycle of homelessness, supporting young people with services and programs to create stability, safety, and independence. Every year, Teen Services serves nearly 300 individual youth, providing low-barrier access to shelter, food, basic needs, casework, mental health supports, education, employment services, and a variety of housing options for youth experiencing homelessness. Services are statewide, outreaching and connecting with youth ages 12-24 in all Maine counties and providing transitional housing in both Cumberland and York counties.
One of the many services at the Preble Street’s Teen Center that helps youth work towards stability and independence is a weekly Community Conversation. Staff, youth, and service providers come together to educate youth about important community resources and services and to provide an opportunity for everyone to connect on important topics. These topics can range from announcements about community events to navigating cultural differences for New Mainer youth at the Teen Center.
These weekly conversations have helped to foster a sense of community and belonging at the Teen Center, creating a safe space where youth can connect with staff, each other, and community providers to discuss ongoing concerns and learn about useful and relevant resources in the larger community. Sam Sansom is a Supervisor at the Preble Street Teen Center. She says, “These conversations are a way to build relationships and trust. Even if something we’re talking about seems small, it’s a way to show youth we care.”
Some of the many service providers and community partners who’ve come to the Teen Center to connect with youth include Maine Boys to Men, Maine Association for New Americans (MANA), City of Portland Public Health, and MaineHealth. Preble Street Anti-Trafficking Services also recently hosted a session on labor trafficking.
How can I help?
- If you’re a youth service provider in the Portland area and would like to participate in a Community Conversation at the Teen Center, please reach out, using the following email or phone number: teenservices@preblestreet.org, (207) 874-1197.
- Calling all landlords! Landlords willing to work with Teen Housing Services and other Preble Street programs are a key part of the solution and can learn about the financial incentives of these partnerships by visiting LandlordsHelp.org or emailing LandlordsHelp@preblestreet.org.
Become a volunteer! Our dedicated volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization. Each day, they put on their aprons, smiles, and endless enthusiasm to serve nutritious meals at our Teen Shelter. All Teen Center volunteers must undergo a background check. The process is straightforward but takes approximately 6 weeks from the time of application to the first volunteer shift. Sign up to become a volunteer here!
Be a safe place for the young people in your life. Advocate for laws and policies that address the root causes of youth homelessness, such as generational poverty and a lack of support for youth aging out of foster care
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