NEWS & UPDATES
Some Maine families at risk of losing food stamps
A rule change from the Trump administration could knock thousands of Maine families, seniors, and people with disabilities off food stamps. Meredith Cook of the Preble Street Maine Hunger Initiative says the proposed rule jeopardizes other federal benefits like free and reduced lunches. “Many families are directly certified into the school lunch program based on
Among those helping Maine’s new arrivals: Other immigrants
A pot of turkey and tomatoes, stewed with turmeric, needs stirring. The plantains are prepped, along with fish spiced with garlic and ginger. At Preble Street, a social service agency in Portland, Maine, fans meant to cool the kitchen’s heat amplify the aroma. On a recent afternoon, a handful of volunteers cooked 600 meals to
Preble Street Helps Identify Crime of Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is not a new crime, but it has recently prompted heightened attention and action among social services, legal services, law enforcement, and the general public. Human trafficking victims/survivors are forced or coerced — through sexual, physical, psychological violence, and/or torture — to perform a variety of labor including sex work, domestic services, childcare,
Maine Signs Historic Student Hunger Bill Into Law
More than 45,000 Maine students will get Breakfast After the Bell through a critically needed new law. Breakfast After the Bell allows schools across the state to provide the meals in the classroom before the school day begins, after first period, or through a “grab and go” option. One in five Maine children lives in a food
Amid the Darkness of a Border Crisis, There Is Light in the City of Portland, Maine
Since June 8th, nearly 300 asylum seekers — all families — have been bussed to Portland from Texas and New Mexico. Meanwhile, the local soup kitchen, Preble Street is providing nutritious African meals to the migrants — breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a far cry from what kids are being fed at the border (“oatmeal, a
Preble Street donates food to asylum seekers
Along with the need for shelter, asylum seekers also need food, as they are legally barred from working during the transition. Preble Street is stepping up to make sure asylum seekers don’t go hungry. Watch more…
Young and on their own in Maine
“Most youth who are accessing our services have fled their home because it felt unsafe in some way. That may have been extreme substance abuse in the home, it may have been some sort of physical, emotional or sexual violence,” said Leah McDonald, the Preble Street Teen Services Program Director. “They’ve gotten to a place
Housing As a Human Right
Freedom Network USA interviewed Senior Director of Teen and Anti-Trafficking Services Daniella Cameron about how housing programs – and survivor-first practices – give individuals the opportunity of choice after their trauma. Read more…
What is "housing first"?
…with housing first, people are given a safe, stable place to live and offered support, whether its for substance use disorder, mental illness, physical health or employment training. “We really feel housing is itself therapeutic,” said Hillary Colcord, the director of Huston Commons, a housing-first facility in Portland. Portland has three separate developments dedicated to
Youth Homelessness: How Do Young People Cope With Homelessness in Maine?
Homelessness among young people is on the rise in Maine. Daniella Cameron, Preble Street Senior Director of Teen Services & Anti-Trafficking Services joined Maine Calling to examine the issue of youth homelessness in Maine, how big of a problem it is, and what’s being done to address it. Listen now.
Opioid crisis response needs to help the most vulnerable
Dr. Ann Marie Lemire, medical director of the Cumberland County Jail, could have given lawmakers a raft of statistics. Instead, she told them a story. About five weeks ago, a man near the end of his sentence was desperately afraid of what his release would mean. He was homeless and was worried that once he was
City manager misrepresents plan for resource center’s future
Preble Street has a decades-long history of filling service gaps, meeting urgent needs and working in tandem with our partners to address problems and provide hope for our vulnerable neighbors. Today, we are a strong anti-poverty agency that has many doorways – more than a dozen programs throughout the state, including Anti-Trafficking Services; Veterans Housing