Advocacy Programs

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — Advocates for the poor continue to protest the decision to move the state’s Department of Health and Human Services office out of downtown Portland. Senator Justin Alfond joined members of Homeless Voices For Justice outside of the DHHS offices in Portland Wednesday morning. The move would take the DHHS office … Read more

The governor’s recent report cards of Maine schools tell an important story, but not the one he is trying to tell. Rather than highlight what certain schools are doing well while offering constructive criticism to others, the grades show how closely educational outcomes are tied to economic circumstances. According to Maine Department of Education data, a staggeringly high … Read more

AUGUSTA, Maine – The federal government is asking Gov. Paul LePage’s administration to provide details on its efforts to pilot a new electronic benefits transfer card system that would include a recipient’s photo. The state uses EBT cards to dispense a variety of public assistance, including the largely federally funded food stamp or Supplemental Nutrition … Read more

PORTLAND — They call themselves “homeless voices for justice,” and they were out in force Wednesday in front of the DHHS offices in Portland. The group was protesting a plan to move the offices, and the services DHHS provides to South Portland. Homeless advocates say that will create a hardship for people already going through … Read more

Typically, a touring performance troupe comes to town, does a show and leaves for the next city. But the puppeteers and dancers who will bring "Who’s Hungry" to Space Gallery beginning Thursday hope their show will have a longer-term effect on the people of Portland. Their performance will explore hunger in Maine and offer audiences … Read more

Roughly six months ago, Luisa Deprez wrote about me in a BDN column and how the loss of MaineCare might affect me. As she mentioned, I had at one point been homeless and had spent the previous three years leading advocacy efforts with a group called Homeless Voices for Justice, which is supported by Preble … Read more

AUGUSTA, Maine – The Senate voted on Tuesday to override a veto by Gov. Paul LePage of a bill that would require schools in poor communities to operate a summer nutrition program for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. The Senate voted 25-10 to override the veto, which constitutes the required two-thirds majority … Read more

AUGUSTA – The House of Representatives on Thursday voted to override Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of a bill that would increase the number of Maine schoolchildren who can get food over the summer through a federal program The bill, L.D. 1353, requires schools that hold summer activities, and where more than half the students qualify … Read more

Maine is now one step closer to ending childhood hunger for 70,000 children. Preble Street Maine Hunger Initiative and Share Our Strength worked together this week to ensure passage of LD 1353, An Act to Further Reduce Student Hunger. This bill requires schools with over 50% participation in free and reduced lunch and who have … Read more

When it comes to hunger, Maine has the unfortunate distinction of leading almost every other state: third in the nation for food insecurity. And when it comes to kids, the picture is also stark: More than 84,000 Maine children qualify for free and reduced-price school meals. But nearly 70,000 of them do not have access … Read more