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Portland council gives library staffers power to expel unruly patrons

… Homeless advocates, however, argued that homeless people and minorities would become the targets. Jim Devine, an advocate for Homeless Voices for Justice, said the library is part of the "safety triangle," which also includes the Preble Street Resource Center and the Oxford Street Shelter. "Even if this policy change is not intended to target

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Maine Calling: Maine Veteran Services

A look at some of the many services available to returning service men and women. Guests: Rob Liscord, Veteran Legal Services Outreach Coordinator, Paralegal, Pine Tree Legal Assistance John Ripley, Director, Military & Veterans Services, Easter Seals Maine Phil Allen, Preble Street Veterans Housing Services Coordinator Also, by phone, Peter Ogden with the Maine Bureau

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Security changes may be coming to the Portland Public Library

PORTLAND (WGME) — The director of the Portland Public Library wants the city council to grant its security guards the power to ban people. Executive director Steve Podgajny says with at least 400,000 people coming in and out of the doors each year, issues pop up. If an issue escalates to a point where more

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Portland council cool to idea of ‘constables’ at public library

… Amy Gallant, advocacy coordinator at the nonprofit Preble Street, which provides services to the city’s homeless, said the constable request was "worrisome." She said police officers are better trained to handle potential trespassing cases, and they have oversight from Portland Police Chief Michael Sauschuck, whom Gallant praised for his work with the homeless population.

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Shawn McLaughlin: Gratitude in Action

One of the requirements for staying at the Congress Street house was meaningful activity, including regular volunteer work. McLaughlin began helping out at Preble Street. Preble Street assists area residents who are experiencing homelessness, hunger, and poverty. After a month at Preble Street, kitchen manager Sue Ellen Sevigny suggested that McLaughlin work there full time.

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On the Radio: Mark Swann

Mark Swann is the Executive Director of Preble Street, a Portland Organization that finds solutions for those who are experiencing homelessness, hunger and poverty. A finalist for the Congressional Medal of Honor, 51-year-old Swann has been with Preble Street for 23 years.  You were one of our earliest guests when you first came on Love

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Cutler to appear at Preble Street forum on Oct. 23

A public forum featuring gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler has been postponed until Thursday, Oct. 23, at 9:30 a.m., organizers said. Cutler, who is among several candidates for public office scheduled to visit the Preble Street Resource Center this fall as part of the 20th annual "You Don’t Need a Home to Vote" Candidates’ Forum series,

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Hunger stories come out of hiding

CASCO – The person who worries about being hungry, who doesn’t always have enough food or enough money to pay for food during the entire month – that person could be your neighbor. It was a neighbor, a resident of Sweden, who stood before the microphone at a recent fundraiser for area food pantries and

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Letter to the editor: Public good must top Maine’s agenda

Last week, I sat in the Preble Street Resource Center dining room, where hundreds of residents eat meals each day, to attend a candidate forum with Democrat Mike Michaud, hosted by Homeless Voices for Justice. (Independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler is scheduled to attend a Homeless Voices for Justice forum Oct. 7; Gov. LePage has

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Congress needs to act so Maine’s LGBT homeless youth can get help

Not many issues are bipartisan these days, but thankfully, ending youth homelessness is one of them. In July, Sen. Susan Collins, along with Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, introduced critical legislation that reauthorizes the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, or RHYA, which provides critical support to organizations such as Preble Street that in turn help some

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