Advocacy Programs

I can still remember my first night at the Oxford Street Shelter. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I would be spending the next 15 months homeless in Portland, sleeping at Oxford Street and Florence House, and camping out in the woods. There were times when so many people were staying at the … Read more

… Mark Swann, executive director of the Preble Street Resource Center in Portland, said he’s glad to see the bus routes improved but said the new location will still be a challenge for many and he’s "still disappointed (the move) happened in the first place." "Our whole philosophy is making things as accessible as possible," … Read more

The many people gathering here tonight are remembering more than 30 homeless people who died this year. That is the most that has ever been included in the ceremony that began 20 years ago. Hundreds of participants marched from Preble Street to Monument Square in honor of those who died. They are remembering 35 homers … Read more

It’s hard to be homeless. Imagine having to carry everything you owned everywhere you went. Imagine sleeping on a foam mat on a hard floor in a room full of strangers, or in a chair when the shelter is full, or in a tent when the wind is howling. Imagine going without checkups and examinations, … Read more

… Donna Yellen, a social worker and chief program officer at the Preble Street Resource Center, said the result has been frustration and demoralization for people who believed that a voucher was a path to a better life. Yellen said a few recent trends in the market have resulted in fewer available full-time rental units … Read more

About 200 people on Monday night marched along Preble Street to Monument Square, where they lit candles in memory of the 35 homeless persons who died this year in Portland. Donna Yellen, chief program officer at Preble Street, a Portland-based soup kitchen and resource center for homeless people, told the crowd that the number of … Read more

PORTLAND, Maine-As the media compile their retrospectives of the notable events and people of 2014, homeless advocates in Portland and Lewiston are remembering those died. "It’s so sad to look at the list this year, and some of these people we’ve known for a long, long time." says Mark Swann, Executive Director of Preble Street … Read more

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) Vigils to raise awareness for the homeless in Maine are being held to honor more than 30 homeless people who have died this year. Portland’s annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Vigil takes place Monday evening. It ends in Monument Square with the lighting of candles to honor those who have died. Mark … Read more

PORTLAND (WGME) — The annual Homeless Person’s Memorial Vigil was held in Portland to honor more than 30 homeless people who died this year. Hundreds of people met at Preble Street and marched to Monument Square Monday night. Their names were read and a candle lit in their honor. Judy Newell shared her story of … Read more

AUGUSTA – More than 6,000 Maine residents will lose their food stamps benefits next month under newly enforced rules that require some recipients to have a job, Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew said. Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration began in October to enforce a three-month limit on benefits for childless adults … Read more