NEWS & UPDATES
Portland’s Oxford Street Shelter director departs for job in Boston
Josh O’Brien learned at an early age the importance of patience and compassion when trying to help people in desperate circumstances. And, as director of Portland’s largest homeless shelter for the past decade, he was known for his ability to see the humanity of the men who had nowhere else to go. Read more here.
Nutritious, fun lunches for children and teens
A red cooler sitting next to a new picnic table holds the lunches for anyone who drops by the old REAL School on High Street in Windham from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. This past Monday, six kids dropped in for a free, nutritious lunch and conversation about the neighborhood. Liza Dalfonso
Maine task force aims to feed hungry students
AUGUSTA – Maine lawmakers, officials and advocates began to wrestle Monday with how to provide more students with access to free or affordably-priced meals, which they say is vital to helping low-income children succeed in school. More than 83,000 Maine students qualify for free-or-reduced-price meals, but the federally-funded programs are underutilized by both schools and
Maine Voices: Homeless veterans have an ally
On any given night in America, more than 63,000 veterans have nowhere to call home and sleep in shelters, on the streets, in abandoned buildings or in the woods. One of them – a man discharged from the Army in the 1980s – spent much of his adult life homeless, sleeping in his truck, in
Officials clear cluster of cardboard shelters in South Portland
SOUTH PORTLAND – For the transient people who lived behind Mallside Plaza, the hidden encampment offered the necessities: access to food, modest shelter, a stream for water, and the company of like-minded people. For city officials and the property owner, the camp was unhealthy, unsafe and an environmental threat to the Long Creek watershed. Read
Federal funding for homeless shifts to housing programs
PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — More than one million dollars in federal money is coming to Maine to help the homeless, specifically to place more chronically homeless people in permanent housing. The money is going to several agencies around the state that support housing first and rapid re-housing programs, which provide permanent housing for the
Homelessness advocates sit in for summer solstice
PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — While many of us will be enjoying the extra hours of daylight on Saturday, thousands of homeless people around the state will be struggling just to get through the day. That’s the message members of Homeless Voices for Justice are sharing. They gathered in Tommy’s Park in Portland from sunrise
77 chronically homeless placed in permanent housing
PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Homelessness is an issue that continues to plague the streets of Portland, but a national campaign is helping put an end to it. In November, Portland joined 56 other communities from across the country, housing an average of 2.5% of the chronically homeless each month. But in Portland, just over
Clinic for homeless closes doors
PORTLAND, Maine —Portland’s Health Care for the Homeless had its last day for medical care on Thursday. The local clinic lost a federal grant that provided a third of its budget and will close before the end of the year. "It’s a somber event. The staff there have been dedicated and providing a high quality
Longest Day of Homelessness Summer Solstice Vigil announced
On Friday, June 20, from sunrise (4:59 a.m.) to sunset (8:26 p.m.), Preble Street Homeless Voices for Justice will sit out in Post Office Park to mark the seventh annual Longest Day of Homelessness Summer Solstice Vigil, the organization reported. Homeless Voices for Justice advocates will be joined by other organizations and community members, "sitting
Protesters plead with governor not to close down a DHHS facility
PORTLAND (WGME) — Protestors want to send a strong message to the governor. They’re fighting against a decision to close down a Portland DHHS facility and open a new one in South Portland. At least one democratic leader says the governor’s move is only adding to the quote: “war on the poor.” It’s a message
Girl Scout Troop 1714 lends hand to teen center
Members of Girl Scout Troop 1714 held a teen clothing drive to benefit the Preble Street Teen Center. Members delivered donations to the center staff earlier this month. The girls were completing their Bronze Award project.6-17-14-girl-scouts-free Elise Boysun, volunteer manager at the center, joined Kristin Doneski, teen center supervisor; Greg Perchik, teen services coordinator; and
