NEWS & UPDATES
Officials: Panhandling in Portland on rise
PORTLAND, Maine – If it appears that you are seeing more panhandlers on Portland’s city streets these days, officials at the Preble Street Resource Center say you are. Working with police and the United Way, the center is about to launch a study to find out what has caused the sudden influx and what they
USM Wrestling Volunteers at Preble Street Soup Kitchen
Huskies’ senior captain Logan Russell talks about his team’s efforts at the Preble Street Resource Center and his quest for 100 wins (watch video).
Plan offers ways to aid Portland's homeless
PORTLAND – The city’s Health and Human Services Department is recommending that Portland establish housing where homeless people can stay sober, develop a team of specialists to help the homeless find housing and hire more workers to interview people who enter shelters. That action plan, to be presented Tuesday night to the City Council’s Public
Homelessness is not myth in York County, says social worker
YORK COUNTY – A new method to determine the number of homeless individuals and families in Maine has produced surprisingly good results, according to the local coordinator for the state’s annual point-in-time survey, held Jan. 30. Homeless individuals called in, according to Amy Marcotte, social worker at the Sanford Veterans Center in Springvale. "This is
Potent Synthetic Pot: Easy to Get in Maine, Hard to Kick
In the past few years, several new synthetic, “designer drugs” have emerged as the new thing. Bath salts are probably the most well-known. Another big one is Spice, or K2, a kind of synthetic marijuana. Spice is potent, and can have intense side effects, but efforts to ban it at both the federal and state
Gimme Shelter
A portrait of the Oxford Street Shelter by the Portland Press Herald & Kimball & Keyser (watch video)
Task force member supports city's homeless prevention plan
As a member of the Portland Homeless Prevention Task Force, I am in full support of the task force recommendations and work plan. The task force, comprised of members of the business community, social service agencies and neighborhood representatives, spent several months examining issues and causes of homelessness, as well as workable solutions that lead
Maine Voices: Efficient and effective, Preble Street respects humanity of those it serves
PORTLAND – Our roles as stewards of Preble Street’s mission, philosophy and approach compel us to respond to a recent Maine Voices column that questions the effectiveness of the work our organization does ("Poor oversight of homeless services erodes Bayside’s quality of life," Feb. 4). That column demands steps that were addressed and, in many
Eight ME charities top nonprofit list
An organization that evaluates the financial health of more than 5,000 charities nationwide has named eight Maine charities among its top-ranked operations. New Jersey-based Charity Navigator recently unveiled a more in-depth rating system that ranks charities based on ethical practices, accountability and transparency with donors, according to a press release. The Maine charities that received
Gov's Proposed Cap on General Assistance Funds Worries Maine Municipal Leaders
In an effort to close a $112 million Medicaid shortfall in the state budget, the LePage administration wants to cut back on the amount of money the state gives municipalities for general assistance programs. The governor is proposing to cap total state spending on general assistance through June 30th at $10.1 million, about $1.5 million
Searching Under Bridges, Behind Dumpsters for Maine's Homeless
Trained volunteers joined social workers, homeless shelter staff and military veterans in the annual one-night survey of the state’s homeless population last night. The nationwide census is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to address the needs of the homeless. It’s a need that’s growing statewide, and especially in Maine’s largest
Bitter cold creates busy homeless shelters
PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — A week of bitter cold has led to busy homeless shelters, as staff in shelters across Portland open overflow spaces and break records for occupancy and meals served. Staff at both Preble Street and the Oxford Street Shelter said they will not be turning anyone away, but they do need
