NEWS & UPDATES
Commentary: Maine needs new way to fund emergency homeless shelters
Every night, hundreds of our neighbors across Maine have no place to call their own. Sleeping in the woods, under bridges, or anywhere they can, these forgotten souls are engaged in a constant fight for survival. But their fight is our fight, because here in Maine we understand the importance of working together to improve
Portland's Homeless to Face Tougher Scrutiny as State Prepares to Tighten GA Requirements
PORTLAND, Maine – Next week, the city of Portland is expected to submit a formal response to a recent state audit that strongly criticized aspects of its General Assistance program. That response will include a more thorough screening process of homeless shelter residents’ financial assets. The city looks set to adopt a number of proposals
Portland considers changes to general assistance program, shelter consolidation
PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — A city committee will consider changes to Portland’s general assistance program after a state audit found violations. The state reimburses all cities and towns for a portion of general assistance spending. Portland includes the operating costs for its emergency shelter, but the state wants the city to bill based on
Portland officials set to toughen requirements for homeless shelter users
… Although a few dozen people came to council chambers to listen to the proceedings, only one person spoke during a public comment period. Mark Swann, executive director of the social services provider Preble Street, acknowledged the difficult position the city has been placed in, but urged the councilors to continue Portland’s commitment to serving
Maine Voices: Lost in debate over eligibility for aid is the simple humanity of Portland’s homeless
A lot of words have already been written in reaction to the "gotcha" revelation by Gov. LePage and Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew that some of the chronically homeless in Portland have sizable bank accounts, followed by the city’s attempt to inject reason into the discussion and, finally, the honest and poignant statement
We should be angry about homelessness, not who paid for shelter stays
The sound bite was meant to shock and outrage: People with money are staying at a Portland shelter for years at a time, the Department of Health and Human Services said, pointing an angry finger at Portland officials. Gov. Paul LePage has long been at odds with Portland over payments for social services. Now, he
Years in a Homeless Shelter, Despite Thousands in the Bank: One Man's Story
PORTLAND, Maine – A recent audit of Portland’s homeless shelters has highlighted what some state officials say is mismanagement of General Assistance funds. At issue is a city policy that allows some long-term shelter residents with substantial savings in the bank to access services. Homeless advocates and city representatives say the state is oversimplifying a
207: Jennifer Richard Jacobson's "Paper Things"
Jennifer Richard Jacobson wears many hats. She’s a teacher, an educational consultant and a speaker. She’s also a writer and her latest book is called Paper Things. It deals with something that is hiding in plain sight – homelessness among children. She’s got a book signing coming up Thursday and proceeds from the event will
Holy Cross students provide supplies
Multiple snowstorms forced a delay, but not a stop, to Holy Cross Catholic School’s collection of items for the Preble Street Shelter in Portland and the Animal Refuge League in Westbrook. Representatives from both organizations attended a prayer service Feb. 6 at Holy Cross Church in South Portland for a presentation by students who led
Dining cause: Maine Restaurant Week Leverages Non-Profit Causes with Private Money
Diners visiting dozens of eateries for "Maine Restaurant Week" over the next two weeks may not realize the meal deals served up by Portland-local restaurants are taking initiative from of the nation’s hottest marketing trends – "cause marketing." Broadly defined, "cause marketing" refers to a cooperative effort between for-profit and non-profit organizations for mutual benefit.
Homelessness in Maine has three root causes that must be addressed
No one chooses to be homeless. It’s a hard life, especially during a winter like this one. You wait in line for food, wait in line to use the bathroom, wait in line for a place to sleep. Homeless people get sick more often than the rest of the population, according to the U.S. Centers
Full Plates, Full Potential
"There are 87,000 children in Maine who may not know where their next meal is coming from," says John Woods. Woods, 49, is working to solve that problem-and he’s asking his friends to help. It is a rare person who leaves a conversation with Woods without an assigned task. This was the case when, on
