NEWS & UPDATES
Is Portland ‘too attractive’ to homeless people?
PORTLAND, Maine – The homeless population in Portland is swelling, with nearly 25 percent more people seeking shelter this fall than even the historically high numbers seen a year ago. That increase and the expectation by Portland Department of Health and Human Services leaders that the numbers will continue to climb well into 2013 are
Homeless for the holidays
PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — With record numbers of people seeking assistance from the food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters in Maine, advocates for the homeless set out to dispel myths and misconceptions people have about homelessness. “One of the big ones, you know really is that people are choosing to be homeless,” explained Tom
Homeless advocates unveil giant Advent calendar of ‘truths’
PORTLAND, Maine – Members of a Portland homeless advocacy group turned to a familiar holiday prop Monday in an effort to dispel what they said are common misconceptions about people living in shelters or on the streets. Representatives of Homeless Voices for Justice unveiled an eight-foot-tall house-shaped Advent calendar, in which 10 doors and windows
MaineCare Cuts Once Again Called Into Question
Augusta – Recipients of MaineCare coverage for childless adults say Governor LePage’s proposal to eliminate the benefit would force many people with chronic medical conditions to go without treatment. Advocates for low-income Mainers and recipients of MaineCare coverage for childless adults held a news conference Monday in the State House to talk about the impacts
New teen shelter to bring more kids in from the cold
PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Young people in Portland with no place to stay have a new shelter to turn to. The Joe Kreisler Teen Shelter has twenty-four beds, eight more than the current Lighthouse Shelter. It was also designed to be a shelter, so the teens will have more personal space, with areas to
Portland to Open New Shelter for Homeless Teens
As a midcoast Maine homeless shelter closes, another one further south prepares to open its doors. Next month the Joe Kreisler Teen Shelter opens in Portland. The 24-bed shelter, run by the Preble Street Resource Center, is the culmination of a $4.5 million fundraising campaign. The Kreisler shelter replaces the existing Lighthouse Teen Shelter, which
Bowl season
Members of the alternative education class at Scarborough High School created bowls to raise funding for the Preble Street Resource Center in Portland. The class, front from left, includes Bryanna Hanscom, Megan McKenney, Celenia Benner, Jade Pawlowski, Janelle Marena and Sarah Kappelman. Back row: Jacob Young, Joey Sprague, Jon Prescott and Audrey Kyte. A lunch
What Does It Mean to be Poor?
We continue our "What Does It Mean" series with a look at What Does It Mean To Be Poor? Host Keith Shortall was joined by: Bill Burns, Adult Day Shelter Services Coordinator – Preble Street Dee Clarke, Advocate with Homeless Voices for Justice – Preble Street
New Portland teen shelter 'so much better'
PORTLAND – Crystal Swain immediately noticed the new mattresses at Preble Street Resource Center’s Joe Kreisler Teen Shelter. “These beds are so much better,” the 19-year-old exclaimed as she sat down for an interview Monday. The $3 million shelter at 38 Preble St. – with its 24 new beds – is set to open in
Portland teen shelter a testament to 'average' Joe
Some frigid night this winter, it will happen. One of the two dozen homeless kids at the Joe Kreisler Teen Shelter will look out at the ice, the snow, the anything-but-friendly darkness and ask, "Who was Joe Kreisler?" "He was just a guy, really," replied David Kreisler, Joe’s son, this week as workers put the
Dining and decorating at Preble Street
Holiday parties are all about food, music and gifts, and for many of us who are guilty of taking our good fortune for granted, not always in that order. They’re about getting together with like-minded people and celebrating in style. They’re about appreciating what we’ve been able to give, and about what’s being given to
Task force report on homelessness advances in Portland
PORTLAND – After advocates created a mock shelter in front of City Hall and a crowd packed the balcony of its chambers, the City Council voted unanimously Monday night to accept task force recommendations for reducing homelessness. For two hours, the council heard public testimony on the sweeping plan. More than 30 city residents, business
