NEWS & UPDATES
Homeless, with Money in the Bank: Advocates Weigh in on Audit Fracas
PORTLAND, Maine – Homeless advocates and health professionals in Portland are accusing state officials of using mentally ill homeless people as political pawns. This follows an audit by the Department of Health and Human Services that heavily criticized the city after finding several residents of a homeless shelter had significant amounts of money in the
Students "Score"
While the Patriots racked up points on the way to their fourth Super Bowl victory, the youth ministry program at Good Shepherd Parish was busy scoring donations to benefit two local organizations. On Super Bowl Weekend, high school youth and other parishioners, wearing football jerseys to draw attention, stood at the entrances of parish churches
Preview: Maine Restaurant Week
(NEWS CENTER) — It’s been a long, tough winter for many restaurants across Maine. Next week, is “Maine Restaurant Week”, an annual effort to boost business and offer some great deals at some favorite dining spots throughout the state. Jim Britt sits down with Jackie for a preview of that and some special events happening
We should return the favor to our veterans, expand health coverage
While millions of Americans have health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act, Maine’s uninsured rate is increasing. Far too many still can’t afford coverage, go without needed medical care and face financial ruin if struck by unexpected illness. One large uninsured group is veterans. Brave men and women who defended our country and fought
For needy in Maine with dental concerns, reasons to smile
… Community Dental is also working with Portland Community Health Center and the Preble Street social services agency to provide dental cleanings and other services, with a long-term goal of expanding capacity at those locations as well. "We have a mission. We have a vision to provide all Maine people with access to good-quality dental
Arundel couple collects, donates winter socks to teen center
ARUNDEL – It was a raw, cold night when Kirstan and Charlie Watson went to the Preble Street Teen Center in Portland to drop off donated coats. On such a cold night, the Arundel couple was struck by the homeless youth at the center. "These are young people, children really, who are surviving living on
Paper Things Provides Middle-Grade Readers with an Intimate Account of Child Homelessness
Cumberland, ME – February 10, 2015 – With as much adventure and emotion as her award-winning novel Small as an Elephant, Jennifer Jacobson’s new novel, Paper Things, presents the story of 11-year-old Ari who when forced to choose between staying with her guardian and being with her big brother, choses her big brother. There’s just
Childhood Hunger Task Force to apply for $50 million in unused federal funding
The Task Force to End Student Hunger unveiled an ambitious five-year plan to end childhood hunger in Maine through activating public-private partnerships and capturing nearly $50 million in unused federal funding already earmarked for Maine nutrition programs. "We all are letting Maine’s children down. Today, in all sixteen counties, in every school district across our
“Souper Bowl of Caring” Raises Money for Preble Street
Teens in the youth ministry program at Good Shepherd Parish in Saco collected $2,024.95 during the "Souper Bowl of Caring" challenge last weekend. The money will be divided between Preble Street Teen Center in Portland and Catholic Charities Maine’s Child and Adult Food Care Program. Members of the youth ministry program at St. Maximilian Kolbe
Task Force to End Student Hunger in Maine Unveils Plans
AUGUSTA – Following months and months of research, the end student hunger task force revealed its report on how lawmakers and those in the community plan to tackle this growing issue in the state of Maine. The state of Maine ranks first in New England in terms of food insecurity and lawmakers want to make
Portland volunteers conduct homeless survey
PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Volunteers were out trudging knee-deep in snow, searching for Portland’s homeless Wednesday night. It’s for the annual Point In Time Survey for the U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development. The data helps HUD allocate funding and resources to communities across the country. Homeless staying at shelters are easy to
Perilous wind chills drive hundreds into Portland homeless shelters
Portland’s homeless shelters were filled to capacity Monday night as mounds of snow accumulated on streets and sidewalks and temperatures, combined with strong winds, produced what the National Weather Service described as "dangerously cold wind chills" – as low as minus 30 degrees – that were expected to last through early Tuesday. On Monday night,
