NEWS & UPDATES
Portland councilors weigh grant requests
PORTLAND – Facing more than $3 million in funding requests, the City Council will have to make difficult choices April 9. That’s when councilors will vote on City Manager Mark Rees’ proposal for distributing about $1.8 million in federal Community Development Block Grants. Rees is recommending that the money be spent on a variety of
Voices in Poverty – A VISTA Story of Service
Working at the Preble Street Resource Center, a day shelter, soup kitchen, and food pantry for homeless and low-income community members, my position as an AmeriCorps VISTA with the Anti-Hunger and Opportunity Corps has opened my eyes to the social isolation and invisibility that often accompanies poverty. "People go out of their way to walk
Letter to the Editor: Mark Swann, Preble Street making a real difference
No doubt, Mark Swann should receive recognition for his long-term efforts on behalf of the many homeless helped by Preble Street and its affiliates. If it were possible, those very people now and in the past would give him a medal. As it is, I am quite sure that they have a heartfelt gratitude that
Preble Street Teen Services earns national attention
PORTLAND, Maine — Teenagers arrive at Preble Street’s Teen Center or Lighthouse Shelter for a wide range of reasons. Abuse, sexual abuse, trouble with the law, family crises. But once they show up, none are turned away. “Anybody under 21 who walks through our doors can get their basic needs met,” said Chris Bicknell, director
Mark Swann ’84 Nominated for Congressional Honor
The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation has selected Mark Swann ’84 as one of 20 national finalists for an award honoring “those ordinary Americans who become extraordinary through their indomitable courage and selflessness.” Swann was selected from hundreds of nominations nationwide for the Citizen Service Before Self Honor for his decades of helping the homeless
Pingree taps Portland homeless advocate for national award
PORTLAND — Mark Swann will know by Monday, March 12, if he will be honored by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society for his work in 21 years at the helm of Preble Street. Nominated by U.S. representative Chellie Pingree for a prestigious national award called Citizen Service Before Self, Swann probably couldn’t have imagined
Give a medal and people a chance
Someone should give Mark Swann a medal. And later this month, someone just might. "The word I keep using to describe it is ‘overwhelming,’" said Swann, the longtime executive director of Preble Street, over a hot cup of coffee Thursday morning. "It’s been kind of a whirlwind couple of days." First the news: This week,
Preble Street executive director Mark Swann featured on Dr. Lisa Radio Show & Podcast
How do childhood events impact the health of an individual–or a community? How can we best “reap what we sow” when it comes to nutrition? All this and more on our autumn-themed “Harvest” show. This week’s guests included Julie Alfred Sullivan, Public Health Director for the City of Portland (Maine), Dr. Richard Maurer of Coastal
What inspires Mark Swann to keep going?
My talk with Preble Street Executive Director Mark Swann yesterday, after learning he was named a finalist for the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation’s Service Before Self Honors, was powerful as it always is with Mark. Preble Street Executive Director Mark Swann stands amid rennovation debris at his organization’s new teen homeless shelter in Portland
Teen Services coordinator Chris Bicknell featured on Dr. Lisa Radio Show & Podcast
From an aching back to an aching life. How do we combat the ‘slings and arrows of outrageous fortune’ that bring discomfort to our bodies? Our guests include Dr. Mike Totta of the Spine Center at Orthopedic Associates Dr. Bob Lynch of Lynch Chiropractic Arts Center Chris Bicknell Coordinator of the Teen Center and Lighthouse
Preble Street director finalist for national award
WASHINGTON — The executive director of Preble Street Resource Center is one of 20 national finalists for the Citizen Before Self Honors, chosen by recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Mark Swann of Portland is one of 10 finalists who are being recognized for "their willingness to sacrifice for others through a prolonged series
Preble Street executive director a finalist for Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation award
PORTLAND, Maine — When Mark Swann recalls his 20-plus years as executive director of Preble Street, he doesn’t mention accolades. “To be honest, it’s a bit overwhelming,” he told the Bangor Daily News on Tuesday. “I find myself thinking about all the people and conversations, and the memorial services and laughs. I’m almost flooded by
