NEWS & UPDATES
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
Protests continue outside Portland DHHS over move
PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Advocates for the poor continue to protest the decision to move the state’s Department of Health and Human Services office out of downtown Portland. Senator Justin Alfond joined members of Homeless Voices For Justice outside of the DHHS offices in Portland Wednesday morning. The move would take the DHHS office
First Lady Issues Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness
First lady Michelle Obama announced a new commitment to end veteran homelessness. Part of the Joining Forces Initiative, the commitment includes 77 mayors, four governors, and four county officials to end veteran homelessness by 2015. The first lady was introduced by Chris Fuentes, a war veteran who lived in her car briefly after returning from Iraq. Housing
Grant loss threatens health care for homeless in Portland
The Portland health clinic that has served homeless people for 23 years is in danger of closing its doors unless Portland officials can make up for the loss of a long-held federal grant.
Grant award triggers heated debate in Portland about which clinic is best suited to treat homeless people
PORTLAND, Maine – The recent decision by a federal agency to move sought-after grant funding from one Portland clinic to another has touched off a dispute over which institution is better able to treat the city’s growing homeless population. After having received the annual allocation for more than two decades, the city-run Health Care for
Nutrition is focus of kids’ Summer Food Program
WESTBROOK – While the school year may be winding down, efforts to prepare for this year’s Summer Food Program are ramping up, as Westbrook officials and volunteers work to keep food, nutrition and physical activity on students’ plates. The program, which is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides free lunch for children
