How will you put Compassion in Action in 2025?
Many of us want to put compassion in action in our communities, but it’s hard to know what to do sometimes. We hope that you explore the resources on this page for ideas inspired by the April 9 event Compassion Starts Here: An Event to Inspire Action.
More than 250 people attended Compassion Starts Here; thank you to our amazing panelists Brooke Bolduc, Equality Community Center; Ann Tucker, Greater Portland Health; Lisa Parisio, ILAP; Angela Stone, Maine Needs; and Daniella Cameron and Donna Yellen, Preble Street. And a very special thank you to our emcee Chris Costa from News Center Maine!
Thanks for being a part of making Maine a more just place for everyone!
Commit to putting compassion into action in your community
Will you:
- Put compassion in action by giving to organizations to do this type of work with unrestricted, multi-year gifts? Visit the website for Preble Street, Equality Community Center, Greater Portland Heath, ILAP, and Maine Needs and many other non-profits to support them directly.
- Put compassion in action by volunteering your time with organizations like Preble Street, Maine Needs, ILAP, the Equality Community Center, or another organization in your community that is putting compassion in action?
- Put compassion in action by reducing barriers and practicing intentional inclusion of people experiencing poverty, homelessness, or other challenges in community spaces?
- Put compassion in action by donating in-kind food, clothing, hygiene supplies, or other needed items?
One easy idea to put compassion in action right now? Share this page with friends and family!
Advocate
Advocacy is a powerful way to protect our most vulnerable community members. Staffing reductions at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), ongoing threats to critical programs like SNAP and Medicaid, and attacks against the LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities will put people experiencing hunger, homelessness, and poverty at even more risk. Given these emerging threats, advocacy might be the most important tool right now in anti-poverty work.
What can you do?
Call or write to your elected officials – at the local, state, or federal level – and ask them to protect all Mainers! Find talking points below on SNAP, Immigration, Human Rights, Homelessness and Housing Resources, and Medicaid. To identify and contact your state representative and state senator use the Maine Voter lookup tool and select “Elected Officials” after entering your address.
Maine's Congressional Delegation
Senator Susan Collins
Direct number to DC office: (202) 224-2523
Senator Angus King
Direct number to DC office: (202) 224-5344
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
Direct number to DC office: (202) 225-6116
Congressman Jared Golden
Direct number to DC office: (202) 225-6306
“Organizations like Preble Street provide a lifeline to so many in the Maine community in need of support for housing and food – and they deserve certainty and support in their service to the 13 percent of Maine households who rely on them. The Trump Administration’s proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will have severe consequences for millions of American veterans, seniors, children, as well as the hard-working farmers who help put meals on the table. While I work at the federal level to push back against some of these incredibly harmful policies, we, as one big Maine community, must work together as we continue to push forward on future efforts.”
Senator Angus King on April 9, 2025
Watch & Learn
Hear directly from tenants at three Site-based Housing First programs in Maine how the program has changed their lives. Avesta Housing and Preble Street collaborated on the first three Site-based Housing First properties in the state of Maine — Logan Place, which opened in 2005; Florence House (2010); and Huston Commons (2017). Avesta owns and operates the properties, and Preble Street provides 24/7 onsite support services, harm reduction, and crisis intervention to maximize housing stability and prevent returns to homelessness. Portland Housing Authority issues project-based Section 8 vouchers that are attached to every unit.
Preble Street Teen Services - Outreach, shelter, and housing for homeless youth
In 2024, Preble Street Teen Services was thrilled to be the nonprofit beneficiary of the TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race. Nearly 30 years ago, Preble Street started the Teen Services program serving youth between the ages of 12 and 24 experiencing homelessness in Maine. Focused on outreach, shelter, and housing, Preble Street Teen Services helps youth find a different path forward for themselves. All young people in Maine need stability and a safe place to live. Thanks to you, Preble Street can continue to help youth find that stability and safety. Thank you to TD Bank for creating this video that highlights the work of Preble Street Teen Services and the amazing youth that we serve.
Preble STreet Food Security Hub
The Preble Street Food Security Hub is already increasing food security in Maine, creating strong and effective community partnerships, and bolstering local agriculture and environmental sustainability. But we are thinking big and have a vision to combat food insecurity through partnerships and collaboration throughout Maine — bringing more meals and grocery boxes to people in need.
Welcome to Elena's Way
Elena’s Way, opened in fall 2022, is a model for how to better operate a low-barrier shelter.
The power of connecting people to housing
Housing first doesn’t mean housing only. Most people who have experienced homelessness need additional support once in housing to keep them stably housed and safe.
LESSONS ON SNAP
In this video from 5 years ago, Thomas Ptacek, former advocate with Homeless Voices for Justice and former Preble Street staff member, shares lessons about SNAP limits.
