Letter from Swannie: Winter 2024/2025

Photo: Between 1981-1993, Preble Street operated a day shelter in this Chapel providing breakfast, phones, bathrooms, mail, and links to community services. As we approach this milestone anniversary of 50 years, I’ve been reflecting more and more on Preble Street’s history and its future. When I was hired in 1991, I was one of two employees at Preble Street, alongside Florence … Read more

A look back at 2024

2024 was a year full of many difficult challenges and lessons but also a year full of progress on important issues. After 50 years, Preble Street understands how important it is to recognize the positive while still holding space to learn from the obstacles we’ve faced.  As 2024 comes to a close, Preble Street looks … Read more

Social work is heart work

This year, the National Association of Social Workers’ Maine Chapter named Preble Street the 2024 Social Work Agency of the Year. Preble Street’s Vice President of Social Work, Andrew Bove, accepted the award on behalf of the agency. Below are the remarks he gave in his acceptance speech. My name is Andrew Bove, and I … Read more

27th Annual Muskie Access to Justice Award Winner: Mark Swann

The Hon. Edmund S. Muskie Access to Justice Award honors commitment to the public good, advanced through hard thinking, deep feeling, a voice of eloquent civility and a passion for justice. The award is presented each spring. In 2024, the Hon. Edmund S. Muskie Access-to-Justice Award was presented to Preble Street Executive Director Mark Swann … Read more

19 years of Site-based Housing First at Logan Place

“For me, eventually, is a key word. It’s my first apartment in 14 years,” shares Kabir. Kabir is the newest resident of Logan Place, Maine’s first Site-based Housing First building, which opened 19 years ago this month. Logan Place has 30 efficiency apartments, with 24-hour on-site support for adults who have experienced chronic homelessness. Kabir … Read more

Preble Street Welcomes Three New Members to Board of Directors

Preble Street, a social work agency empowering people experiencing homelessness, hunger, or poverty and advocating for solutions to these problems, has appointed three new members to its Board of Directors. Justin Rosner, Principal, Battery Ventures; Chris Ellingwood, Principal, BerryDunn’s Commercial Practice Group; and Joe Ingream, Senior Vice President and Head of Employee Benefits, OneAmerica Financial, … Read more

A look back at 2023

2023, like most years, was full of many challenges. But, after nearly 50 years of anti-poverty work, we know how important it is to focus on the many positive things that happened this year. Preble Street continued to produce and distribute thousands of daily meals at our Food Security Hub to meet increasing food needs, … Read more

Preble Street Board Profile – Chip Leighton: Curbside Winter 2023/24

How did you first get involved with Preble Street? About 15 years ago, I started volunteering at the (then) Soup Kitchen with a group from my church, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Cape Elizabeth. I spent the first five years or so on the cleanup crew before I finally graduated to kitchen duties! What do … Read more