“By being present here today, as well as by paying attention every day, by thoughtfully connecting the dots between the tragedy of homelessness and the racial inequities, social determinants of health, gentrification pressures, and widening economic inequities that cause homelessness, you are the group of people I am most optimistic about creating the change that we need to end homelessness. And I know that is why you are here too – to end homelessness.” – Mark Swann, Executive Director, Preble Street

To kick off Preble Street’s second Conference on Homelessness: Solutions Start with ME on October 17, 2024, Jeff Olivet, Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), told attendees, “We have a lot to learn from each other across the country.” This was the guiding principle behind day, with nearly 300 political, social services, business, and faith leaders from across the state and the U.S., all coming together to discuss innovative and practical solutions to homelessness in Maine. 

People with lived experience of homelessness helped to shape many of the Conference’s discussions, asking questions and adding their voices to ground conversations in what can work for real people. 

Preble Street awarded Greg Payne, Senior Advisor, Housing Policy, in the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF), with its Force for Good award. The award was presented by Michelle “Chelle” Ducas, a tenant of the Huston Commons Site-based Housing First program, and Mark Swann, Executive Director, Preble Street.

Read our recap or watch the morning’s speeches and panel. 

Watch a recording of the first half of the day here.

8:00 a.m. Arrival & Continental Breakfast,

9:00 a.m. Welcome – Mark Swann, Executive Director, Preble Street

9:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker

Jeff Olivet, Executive Director, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)

10:15-10:30 a.m. Break

10:30 a.m-11:45 a.m. Morning Plenary

Innovative Solutions & Effective Strategies from beyond Maine

Facilitated by Jeff Olivet, Executive Director of USICH, this session will highlight the various perspectives and challenges of communities outside of Maine as well as innovative solutions.

Panelists:

• Noah Fay, Senior Director of Housing Programs, DESC, Seattle, WA
• Joel Givens, Landlord Engagement Specialist, City of Rockford, Rockford, IL
• Kelly King Horne, Executive Director, Homeward, Richmond, VA
• Hannah Sims, Crisis System Manager, Housing Forward, Dallas, TX
• Grover Wehman-Brown, Narrative Specialist, Housing Narrative Lab, Washington, D.C.

11:45 a.m-12:00 p.m. Force for Good Award 

Presented by Michelle “Chelle” Ducas and Mark Swann

12-1:00 p.m. Lunch/Networking

1-2:30 p.m. Workshops 1 & 2 

Workshop 1: Funding Solutions to Homelessness with Maine’s Continuum of Care

As the Maine CoC looks to make changes with governance and structure, this timely workshop will provide highlights of the current changes and opportunities that are available to build a stronger CoC in Maine.

Facilitator: Erin Kelly, Senior Director of Social Work, Preble Street

Panelists:

• Dan Brennan, Director, MaineHousing
• Kelly King Horne, Executive Director, Homeward, Richmond, VA
• Dean Klein, Strategic Sustainability Project Manager, Preble Street

Workshop 2: How Maine Will Reach Its Housing First Goals & End Chronic Homelessness

This workshop will help to build on the newly passed Housing First legislation and inclusion in Governors Mills’ budget by focusing on the exciting opportunity to end chronic homelessness through the implementation of new and effective Site-based Housing First programs in Maine.

Facilitator: Dana Totman, Consultant & former CEO of Avesta Housing

Panelists:

• Michelle (“Chelle”) Ducas, Huston Commons Tenant, Person with lived experience of homelessness
• Noah Fay, Director of Housing Programs, DESC (Downtown Emergency Services Center), Seattle, WA
• Ali Lovejoy, Vice President of Mission Advancement, Preble Street
• Tessa Metcalfe, Senior Property Manager, Avesta Housing
• Senator Teresa Pierce, Chair, Joint Select Committee on Housing, Maine State Legislature

2:30-2:45 p.m. Break

2:45-4:15 Workshop Sessions 3 & 4

Workshop 3: Unsheltered Homelessness: How Other Communities are Solving It

This interactive workshop is an opportunity to hear from communities (Dallas, TX and Rockford, IL) leading on solutions to unsheltered homelessness and to apply those learnings towards strengthening approaches and programs in Maine.

Facilitator: Courtney Pladsen, MaineCare Medical Director, Maine Department of Health & Human Services 

 Speakers:

• Hannah Sims, Crisis Systems Manager, Housing Forward, Dallas, TX
• Angie Walker, Homelessness Program Coordinator, City of Rockford Health & Human Services, Rockford, IL

Facilitated Roundtable Discussion:

• Kerri Barton, Harm Reduction Services Program Coordinator, Portland Public Health Division
• Malia Haddock, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | CONNECT (Community Outreach Network Navigation Evidence-based Care and Treatment) MaineHealth
• Brian Hester, Veteran, Person with lived experience of homelessness
• Henry Myer, LCSW, Program Director, Street Outreach Collaborative & Elena’s Way Wellness Shelter, Preble Street
• Amy West, Associate Medical Director of Substance Use Disorder, Penobscot Community Healthcare

Workshop 4: Meeting the Need for Shelter Using Sustainable Business Models

Leaders in nonprofit and philanthropy as well as legislators will discuss the critical points needed for a sustainable funding model for homeless shelters experiencing increased strain on operating budgets and increasing demand.

Facilitator: Terence Miller, Advocacy Director, Preble Street

Panelists:

• Representative Drew Gattine, Member, Joint Select Committee on Housing, Maine State Legislature
• Megan Gean-Gendron, Executive Director, York County Shelter Programs
• Tracey Hair, Community Partner, Maine Community Foundation
• Andrew Lardie, Executive Director, Tedford Housing
• Mark Swann, Executive Director, Preble Street

4:15-4:30 p.m. Closing Remarks

Kerri Barton, M.P.H. (they/them), Harm Reduction Services Program Coordinator, Portland Public Health Division: Kerri works as the Program Coordinator for the Harm Reduction Program at Portland Public Health in Portland, Maine. They oversee the daily operations of the syringe service program, as well as naloxone training and distribution throughout southern Maine. Kerri holds a Master’s in Public Health from Boston University and is trained in HIV/HCV/syphilis counseling and testing, infectious disease prevention, and public health. They previously worked as a hepatitis C surveillance epidemiologist at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and as a Research Navigator for Rural Health and Community Engaged Research at Maine Medical Center. 

Daniel Brennan (he/him), Director, MaineHousing: Daniel Brennan became MaineHousing’s Director on April 9, 2018. Mr. Brennan has served in a number of senior staff positions since 1993, including as Senior Director of Programs, Director of Energy & Housing Services, Director of Development, Director of Asset Management, and Internal Auditor. Prior to joining MaineHousing, Mr. Brennan was employed as an internal auditor for Maine National Bank and RECOLL Management Corporation and shortly after joining MaineHousing, he earned the Certified Internal Auditor designation. Mr. Brennan received his B.A. from the University of Maine, Orono and his M.B.A. from Thomas College.

Michelle (“Chelle”) Ducas (she/her), Huston Commons Tenant, Person with lived experience of homelessness: Chelle is a tenant of Huston Commons. She moved in at the opening of this Housing First program seven years ago after spending five years experiencing homelessness. She has worked as a Professional Care Assistant and a cook. She is a proud mother of two sons.

Noah Fay (he/him), Senior Director of Housing Programs, DESC: Noah Fay (MPA) is the Senior Director of Housing Programs with Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) in Seattle, WA. DESC has long been a national leader in Housing First and Harm Reduction services for vulnerable people experiencing homelessness. Noah has worked in variety of roles and across programs at DESC, including as manager of the nationally renowned 1811 Eastlake project, as well as other key roles in the shelter, clinical and housing programs. Noah has also served as a trainer and consultant, both for DESC and the Corporation for Supportive Housing, emphasizing the effectiveness of permanent supportive housing.

Representative Drew Gattine (he/him), Member, Joint Select Committee on Housing, Maine State Legislature: Rep. Drew Gattine is serving his fifth non-consecutive term in the Maine House of Representatives. He is a health care consultant with over 30 years’ experience implementing and operating programs designed to deliver more fair, effective and efficient health care. He is a nationally known expert on the topic of health care fraud, waste and abuse and has presented at numerous national conventions and meetings on this topic. He is also a former state assistant attorney general. Rep. Gattine is passionate about helping people live better lives. His service has been recognized by organizations such as AARP, Disability Rights Maine, Maine Council on Aging, Maine People’s Alliance, Cancer Action Network Maine and The Maine Primary Care Association. Rep. Gattine served three terms as a Westbrook City Councilor, chairing the Council’s Finance Committee and Committee of the Whole. He also chaired the Westbrook’s City Charter Commission.

Megan Gean-Gendron (she/her), Executive Director, York County Shelter Programs: Megan Gean-Gendron has been the Executive Director of York County Shelter Programs since December of 2019. Prior to becoming the Executive Director, Megan worked at York County Shelter Programs throughout her career in a variety of capacities, beginning 25 years ago as a third shift residential technician in the adult and family emergency shelters. Throughout her career, Megan has worked in both social services as well as politics, working with a number of United States Senators on their campaigns while living in Washington, D.C. 

Joel Givens (he/him), Landlord Engagement Specialist, City of Rockford, IL Health & Human Services Department: Joel Givens worked for 22 years at the Rockford Police Department and retired as an Assistant Deputy Chief after rising through the ranks. Joel also served in the United States Air Force for 21 years earning (3) Air Force Commendation Medals, (4) Air Force Achievement Medals, and (1) Army Achievement Medal. Joel has a BA in Criminal Justice Management from Judson College and graduated from Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. In “retirement,” Joel has begun working with the Homeless Program, implementing a Landlord Engagement program to bridge the gaps between landlords and agencies. 

Tracey Hair (she/her), Community Partner, Maine Community Foundation: Tracey Hair is a Community Partner at the Maine Community Foundation and is the former Executive Director of H.O.M.E. Inc., which provides services to low-income and homeless families in Hancock County. Tracey serves on the Bucksport Town Council and is a board member for the Maine Health Access Foundation. Tracey has volunteered in partnership with H.O.M.E. Inc. at a homeless charity located in Harlem, NY, where she taught basic computer skills to low-income migrant families. Tracey recently served on the Statewide Homeless Council and is the former Co- Chair of the Region III Homeless Council.  

Malia Haddock (she/her), Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner | CONNECT (Community Outreach Network Navigation Evidence-based Care and Treatment) MaineHealth: Malia Haddock, MS, PMHNP-BC has over two decades of frontline experience caring for people in underserved communities – those experiencing homelessness, incarceration, substance use disorder, or who are excluded from healthcare due to psychiatric symptoms and social circumstance. In 2014, as Program Coordinator at what is now the MaineHealth-Preble Street Learning Collaborative (PSLC), she created and led Homeless HealthPartners, an outreach social work program designed to increase access to care among unhoused patients. After becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in 2020, she worked on the Consultation & Liaison Psychiatry and IMAT service at Maine Medical Center. She recently returned to the PSLC to launch CONNECT, Maine’s first mobile health and harm reduction clinic, providing treatment for psychiatric and substance use disorders to people experiencing and at risk of homelessness in Greater Portland. She is a faculty member of the Tufts University School of Medicine, where her clinical, teaching and research interests include harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and integrating medical and social systems to provide comprehensive and integrated low-barrier care. She holds a BA in Literature, Science and the Arts from the University of Michigan and an MS in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing from the University of Southern Maine.

Brian Hester (he/him), Veteran, Person with lived experience of homelessness: Brian Hester is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and lives in Westbrook. He experienced multiple episodes and many years of homelessness before working with Preble Street’s Veterans Housing Services and securing his current apartment. He is currently enrolled in Southern Maine Community College and is working toward his degree in Social Work, with an emphasis on Drug and Alcohol Counseling.

Erin Kelly (she/her), Senior Director of Social Work, Preble Street: Erin currently serves as one of the Senior Directors of Social Work at Preble Street. She has worked at Preble Street since 2013, when she first came to the agency as a Jesuit Volunteer. She has served as one of the tri-chairs of the Maine CoC Coordinated Entry Committee beginning in 2019 and was elected as a Maine CoC Tri-Chair in 2023. She received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern Maine in 2020. 

Kelly King Horne (she/her), Executive Director, Homeward: As the Executive Director of Homeward, Kelly King Horne supports the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care in Virginia. She has worked with community partners in various roles at Homeward and United Way, as a program manager for Habitat for Humanity’s regional office for Europe and Central Asia, and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Republic of Moldova. She currently serves on the National Alliance to End Homelessness Leadership Council and the Virginia Housing Commission’s Affordability Workgroup. She attended Stanford University (M.A. Religious Studies), Columbia Business School (Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership), and American University (B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies.) 

Dean Klein (he/him), Strategic Sustainability Project Manager, Preble Street & Incoming Executive Director of the Maine CoC: Dean is a catalyst for programs, initiatives and organizations that have a profound impact on homelessness and is guided by a strong conviction that homelessness can be eradicated. Dean has provided leadership in the nonprofit sector, corporate philanthropy, and local government. He currently works at Preble Street where he serves as the Strategic Sustainability Manager and is the Project Manager for the 2024 Preble Street Conference on Homelessness. Dean will be starting a new position as the Executive Director of the Maine CoC October 2024. Prior to relocating to Maine, Dean spent over 30 years leading various homeless organizations, initiatives, and systems in the Washington DC. area. He launched the Fairfax/Falls Church Partnership to Prevent and End Homelessness, including serving as the Director of the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness in Fairfax, VA, overseeing the community’s 10 Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. Dean was responsible for oversight of the Continuum of Care and its Governing Board. Dean received the A. Heath Onthank Award, the highest honor bestowed on Fairfax County employees. Dean graduated with his B.A. from Ohio State University and his MSW from Howard University in Washington, DC.

Andrew Lardie (he/him), Executive Director, Tedford Housing: A Brunswick resident since 2012, Andrew has been Tedford’s Executive Director since 2023. He previously served as President of Tedford’s Board of Directors and chaired its Program Committee. He has been Associate Director at Bowdoin College’s McKeen Center for the Common Good, and Community Outreach & ELO Coordinator for Brunswick School Department. In these roles he built educational community partnerships, mentored emergent leaders, and convened coalitions to prepare youth for active citizenship. Andrew is thrilled to lead Tedford through an era of transformation and renewed ambition to combat homelessness in the southern Midcoast. 

Ali Lovejoy (she/her), Vice President of Mission Advancement, Preble Street: Ali Lovejoy joined Preble Street as a caseworker at the Resource Center in 2008 and worked in direct service programs there for 13 years, including as a supervisor at Florence House women’s shelter and as the Senior Director of Residential Services overseeing the agency’s three Site-based Housing First programs, until shifting into her current role in 2021. Ali holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Northwestern University and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling form the University of Southern Maine and was a founding board member of MaineTransNet.

Terence Miller (he/him), Advocacy Director, Preble Street: Terence Miller, J.D., is the Advocacy Director at Preble Street. He leads Preble Street’s local, state, and federal advocacy initiatives. Miller was a public defender in Brooklyn, N.Y., and a human rights attorney during the Pinochet regime in Chile. He directed an international public policy office in Washington, D.C., focusing on Africa and the Middle East. He was a senior international officer at three higher education institutions, overseeing education abroad, international student enrollment, and strategic partnerships. He received his Juris Doctorate from St. John’s University in Queens, New York. He is married to Joan Kelly, and they have five children. 

Tessa Metcalfe (she/her), Senior Property Manager, Avesta Housing: Tess Metcalfe joined Avesta Housing in 2015 as a Resident Service Coordinator before being promoted to Property Manager, then Senior Property Manager. Since 2017, Tess has overseen the Avesta’s Housing First properties, which serve the most vulnerable of the chronically homeless population in Portland. She works closely with Preble Street to meet the needs of residents and support their success. Prior to her work with Avesta Housing, Tess provided in home care for individuals in a group home setting as a DSP and later supported young adults on the Autism spectrum transitioning from family to independent living as an MHRT/1. Tess is a Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS), Tax Credit Specialist (TCS) and an Accredited Residential Manager (ARM). 

Henry Myer (he/him), Program Director, Street Outreach Collaborative, Elena’s Way Wellness Shelter, Preble Street: Henry Myer is the Director of Elena’s Way Wellness Shelter and the Street Outreach Collaborative at Preble Street. He started at Preble Street as a Case Manager for Veterans Housing Services in 2015 and has been a homeless service provider since then. He received his Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern Maine in 2019, and has been developing and managing shelters for Preble Street since early 2020.

Jeff Olivet (he/him), Executive Director, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness: Jeff Olivet is the Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). He has worked to prevent and end homelessness for more than 25 years as a street outreach worker, case manager, coalition builder, researcher, and trainer. He is the founder of jo consulting, co-founder of Racial Equity Partners, and from 2010 to 2018, he served as CEO of C4 Innovations. He has worked extensively in the areas of homelessness and housing, health and behavioral health, HIV, education, and organizational development. Jeff has been principal investigator on multiple research studies funded by private foundations and the National Institutes of Health. Jeff is deeply committed to social justice, racial equity, gender equality, and inclusion for all. He has a bachelor’s from the University of Alabama and a master’s from Boston College. 

Senator Teresa Pierce (she/her), Chair, Joint Select Committee on Housing, Maine State Legislature: Sen. Pierce serves in the Maine Senate, representing Falmouth, Cumberland, Yarmouth (majority), North Yarmouth, Gray, and Long Island. She served for six years as Falmouth Town Councilor and in the Maine House of Representatives, as chair of the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs as well as a member of the Government Oversight Committee, the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, and the Committee on Leaves of Absence and was House chair of the Joint Select Committee on Marijuana Legalization Implementation during the 128th Legislature. Outside of her work as an elected official, Sen. Pierce has worked in the development field at the University of New England and other non-profit organizations for the past 20 years.

Courtney Pladsen (she/her), Mainecare Medical Director, Maine Department of Health & Human Services: Dr. Courtney Pladsen DNP, FNP-C has worked in the health care safety net for over 15 years. She is a Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner with a clinical focus on primary care, substance use treatment, and harm reduction for people experiencing homelessness. She received her undergraduate degree from Boston College and her Masters and Doctoral degrees from Georgetown University. Courtney was a fellow with the RWJF Culture of Health Leader program from 2018-2022, the Clinical Director at the National Health Care for the Homeless Council from 2020-2023, and is currently the MaineCare Medical Director. While she continues to practice one day a week at Greater Portland Health’s Health Care for the Homeless Clinic, Courtney is passionate about improving systems to address health related social needs and to provide equitable health care for the most marginalized individuals in Maine. 

Hannah Sims, L.M.S.W. (she/her), Crisis System Manager, Housing Forward: Hannah has over six years of experience addressing homelessness. She began her career as an outreach case manager before working as an administrator for a permanent supportive housing program. Her expertise extends to development and communications, where she raised awareness and funds for critical initiatives. Hannah is currently the Crisis System Manager at Housing Forward, where she oversees the community’s response to unsheltered homelessness through coordinated outreach and encampment resolution efforts. As the lead agency, Housing Forward leads in the development and implementation of an effective homeless response system to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring in Dallas and Collin Counties. 

Mark Swann (he/him), Executive Director, Preble Street: Mark Swann has been the Executive Director of Preble Street since 1991. In that time, he has overseen significant growth and expansion of the agency and its mission: from a small soup kitchen with two employees in the basement of an old church to a multi-site, comprehensive social service agency, serving vulnerable people in Maine. Prior to Maine, Mark was the Director of Social Services at the International Institute of Boston, a refugee resettlement agency. Mark has a BA from Bowdoin College (1984) and a Master of Science degree in Public Affairs from UMASS Boston (1989). He has been named a Congressional Medal of Honor finalist, was chosen for the Citizen Service Before Self Honors, recognizing “sacrifice for others through a prolonged series of selfless acts,” in 2012, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service Degree by Saint Joseph’s College in 2018, and this spring received The Hon. Edmund S. Muskie Access to Justice Award. 

Angie Walker (she/her), Homelessness Program Coordinator, City of Rockford, IL Health & Human Services Department: Angie Walker has been with the City of Rockford for 15 years working in several different areas. She is currently the Homeless Program Manager with the City’s Health & Human Services Department overseeing several different grant programs. She has helped lead Rockford’s efforts to reach Functional Zero for Veterans and Chronically homeless. They now have a goal of ending all homelessness in Rockford, IL. Angie leads several committees and is on the board of the Northern Illinois Homeless Coalition. Angie still takes part in street outreach, at least two shifts a month, to stay in connection with the homeless population. 

Grover Wehman-Brown (they/she), Narrative Specialist, Housing Narrative Lab: Dr. Grover Wehman-Brown is the Narrative Specialist at the Housing Narrative Lab. For thirteen years, their work has focused on researching and executing narrative and communication strategies to build the cultural and political will to end homelessness in the United States. Before joining the Lab, Grover served as Communications Manager for East Bay Housing Organizations in Oakland, California and as Deputy Director of Communications at Showing Up for Racial Justice. Grover holds a PhD in Communications from the University of North Carolina, earned after exiting homelessness. 

Amy West (she/her), Associate Medical Director of Substance Use Disorder, Penobscot Community Health Care (PCHC): Amy West is a Family Nurse Practitioner who currently practices in addiction medicine as the Associate Medical Director of Substance Use Disorder Services at Penobscot Community Health Care – mostly serving an unhoused population. She completed her Bachelors of Nursing in 2009 and Masters of Nursing in 2014, both at Northeastern University. Prior to working for PCHC, she worked for Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program both as an RN and FNP for 9 years. While working in Boston, she developed a passion for helping patients navigate barriers to quality healthcare. She has been able to continue this passion with PCHC and their community partners. 

This year’s conference is possible thanks to the support of our Advisory Board:

• Lauren Bustard, Senior Director of Programs, MaineHousing
• Ryan Fecteau, Senior Officer of Policy and Planning, Avesta Housing
• Debbie Laurie, City Manager, City of Bangor, Maine
• Claudette Ndayininahaze, Executive Director, In Her Presence
• Greg Payne, Senior Advisor, Housing Policy, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF)
• Alan Pethick, President, Atlantic Charitable Fund
• Courtney Pladsen, Mainecare Medical Director, Maine Department of Health & Human Services
• Mark Swann, Executive Director, Preble Street                
• Danielle West, City Manager, City of Portland, Maine