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Portland homeless shelters at full capacity

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — On an average night last September, 500 people were staying at Portland homeless shelter — a record-breaking month for the city. Portland shelters are at full capacity, looking for overflow spaces and housing solutions for the growing homeless population. At Preble Street, they’re seeing an increase in elderly clients, many

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Number of U.S. homeless students at record level: report

The country’s recent economic woes are still being felt in the classroom: The number of homeless American elementary and high school students has hit an all-time high, according to a new federal study released Thursday. According to the U.S. Department of Education, in the 2011-2012 school year some 1,168,354 children ranging from preschool to 12th

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Fashion in the ‘Forecast’

CAPE ELIZABETH – A group of Cape Elizabeth residents are presenting Fashion Forecast, a fashion show to benefit Florence House, a Preble Street program. Unlike designer shows, Fashion Forecast isn’t focusing so much on vanity and vanguard fashion, but on community and generosity to remember their friend Mary Staszko. Staszko, an active Cape Elizabeth community

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Portland Street Academy puts homeless youth on career path

Even though they are living on the streets, homeless students around town can still pursue their education goals through a remarkable program that gives them support, guidance and direction. The Portland Street Academy, part of Portland Adult Education, has been helping homeless kids graduate high school and look for jobs for 20 years. Joline Friedman

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New grant to help Maine victims of sex trafficking

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Portland’s Preble Street Resources Center is getting a $400,000 grant to help young women escape from sex trafficking. The social services agency will begin receiving the first $200,000 installment of the two-year grant from the Department of Justice this fall. Part of it will be used to develop a statewide network

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New grant helps fight sex trafficking in Maine

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) – Preble Street is putting together a major initiative to fight human trafficking in Southern Maine — thanks to a $400,000 grant from the federal government. The 2-year grant was announced at a news conference Monday morning. Preble Street reports its informal survey of clients at the Preble Street Teen Center

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Portland coalition takes aim at human trafficking

PORTLAND – A coalition led by social service agency Preble Street has received a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to provide services for victims of human trafficking in Cumberland and York counties. With the two-year grant, the Preble Street Anti-Trafficking Coalition will provide outreach, health and legal services, case management and other

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Portland agency gets grant to help human trafficking victims

An agency in Portland that assists the homeless and those with low incomes has received a $400,000 federal grant to support a coalition that will provide services to victims of human trafficking in southern Maine. Preble Street Executive Director Mark Swann says sex trafficking and exploitation, along with labor trafficking, are growing problems in York

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Preble Street receives grant to fight sex trafficking

Preble Street will use a $400,000 federal grant to establish services for prostitution victims in Maine. Daniella Cameron, supervisor of Preble Street Teen Services, said sex trafficking – usually involving homeless girls coerced by men into prostitution – isn’t something that the victims will talk about unless asked the right questions in the right way.

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Maine efforts to combat human trafficking get federal funding

Advocates for homeless teenagers and young people with disabilities in southern Maine say a $400,000 federal grant will help dedicate resources for young people who have been coerced into trading sex for money or a place to sleep. The two-year grant from the Department of Justice to Preble Street allocates funds directly to help victims

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Preble Street election forum draws four Portland City Council candidates

PORTLAND – You don’t need a home to vote. That was the message at a candidates forum held Oct. 11 by Homeless Voices for Justice, the advocacy campaign affiliated with Preble Street Resource Center. Four of the seven candidates for City Council participated to answer questions from about two dozen people, including individuals who described

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PowerPay Marks 10th Anniversary with “10 Days of Giving”

PORTLAND, MAINE – In recognition of its 10-year anniversary, local credit card processor PowerPay is launching "10 Days of Giving" (www.10daysofgiving.com)- a celebration that reflects the company’s corporate culture and commitment to giving, sustainability and community. During the first 10 days of October, PowerPay employees are volunteering time during their workdays and making donations of

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