Preble Street

TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE BARRIER-FREE SERVICES TO EMPOWER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH HOMELESSNESS, HOUSING, HUNGER, AND POVERTY AND TO ADVOCATE FOR SOLUTIONS TO THOSE PROBLEMS.

FOOD PROGRAMS - THE LARGEST DIRECT SERVICE EMERGENCY FOOD PROGRAM IN NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND, PREBLE STREET FOOD PROGRAMS PREPARE AND DISTRIBUTE APPROXIMATELY ONE MILLION MEALS A YEAR TO MEET THE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF HOMELESS AND LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AT: CENTRAL KITCHEN - PREPARING MEALS TWICE A DAY FOR GUESTS AT HOMELESS SHELTERS, QUARANTINE SHELTERS, AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS. SOUP KITCHENS - SERVING THREE MEALS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR AT THE TEEN CENTER AND FLORENCE HOUSE. MEALS WERE SERVED AT THE RESOURCE CENTER SOUP KITCHEN UP UNTIL IT WAS CLOSED IN MARCH IN RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC AND GUIDELINES PROMULGATED BY THE CDC. IN RESPONSE TO THIS CLOSURE, MEALS WERE DELIVERED VIA THE MOBILE FOOD SERVICES (SEE BELOW) FOOD PANTRY - DISTRIBUTING EMERGENCY FOOD BOXES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES - INCLUDING CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE MEALS TO IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES, AND ASYLUM SEEKERS - FIVE DAYS A WEEK. MOBILE FOOD - PREPARING BAGGED MEALS AND ACCOMPANYING STREET OUTREACH COLLABORATIVE CASEWORKERS TWICE A DAY TO DISTRIBUTE MEALS AND OTHER ESSENTIAL NEEDS TO UNHOUSED PEOPLE THROUGHOUT PORTLAND.

VETERANS HOUSING SERVICES - OPERATING FROM OFFICES IN PORTLAND, LEWISTON, AND BANGOR, VHS PROVIDES RAPID RE-HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION SERVICES THROUGHOUT MAINE FOR VETERANS' HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE EITHER EXPERIENCING HOMELESS OR AT-RISK OF HOMELESSNESS. USING A COLLABORATIVE AND HOLISTIC APPROACH, THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE HOUSING GOALS OF VETERANS IN URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES WITH MANY ENTRY POINTS AND A COORDINATED CONTINUUM OF SUPPORT AND HOUSING OPTIONS. PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE OUTREACH, CASE MANAGEMENT, EMERGENCY FOOD, CONNECTION TO RESOURCES FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE, INCREASING INCOME, CONNECTION TO MAINSTREAM AND VA BENEFITS, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, TRANSPORTATION, ETC. TO APPROXIMATELY 400 VETERANS' HOUSEHOLDS.

FLORENCE HOUSE - FROM A SAFE AND SUPPORTED SHELTER TO PERMANENT HOUSING, FLORENCE HOUSE SERVES 65 HOMELESS WOMEN 24/365. PROVIDING BASIC NEEDS FROM BEDS TO NUTRITIOUS MEALS TO HYGIENE EDUCATION, AS WELL AS COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT AND REFERRALS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT, ACCESS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR HEALTHCARE, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, EMPLOYMENT, AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE, AND PERMANENT STABLE HOUSING THROUGH THREE COMPONENTS: EMERGENCY SHELTER - 25 BEDS PROVIDING SAFETY, BASIC SERVICE, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, REFERRALS, TO SUPPORT WOMEN WHO ARE TEMPORARILY HOMELESS BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC OR SITUATIONAL CRISIS. SAFE HAVEN - 15 SEMI-PRIVATE UNITS WITH SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE WOMEN WHILE THEY DEVELOP THE TRUST, SELF-ASSURANCE, AND SKILLS TO BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT. PERMANENT APARTMENTS - 25 "HOUSING FIRST" EFFICIENCY APARTMENTS WITH SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS READY TO MANAGE INDEPENDENTLY WITH STAFF WHO CAN ASSIST THEM WITH DEVELOPING SKILLS TO MAINTAIN STABLE INDEPENDENT HOUSING, RE-INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY, AND RECONNECT WITH FAMILIES.

ANTI-TRAFFICKING SERVICES - COMPREHENSIVE AND COLLABORATIVE CLIENT-CENTERED SERVICE COORDINATION AND SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, INCLUDING SEX AND LABOR TRAFFICKING. ATS FOCUSES ON IDENTIFYING VICTIMS, INTERVENTION, TRAINING PROVIDERS, PROVIDING OUTREACH AND EMERGENCY SERVICES, CASE MANAGEMENT AND INTERDISCIPLINARY SERVICE PLANNING, AND PROMOTING INDIVIDUAL AND SYSTEMIC JUSTICE. ANTI-TRAFFICKING SERVICES EMPOWERS CLIENTS TO UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE CHOICES AND ACCESS TO SERVICES, SUPPORT, AND INFORMATION THAT FACILITATE HEALING AND GROWTH. COMMUNITY ADVOCACY-PREBLE STREET ADVOCACY PROGRAMS ADVANCE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE THROUGH OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND ENGAGEMENT IN PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES AT THE CITY, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVELS IN ORDER TO EMPOWER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH HOMELESSNESS, HOUSING, HUNGER, AND POVERTY IMPROVE THEIR WELL-BEING. HOMELESS VOICE FOR JUSTICE (HVJ)- ADVOCATES WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE OF HOMELESSNESS THAT WORK WITH, AND FOR, PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLE WITH HOMELESSNESS, POVERTY, AND OPPRESSION TO EDUCATE ITS CONSTITUENCY AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY ON SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES ADVERSELY IMPACTING PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLE WITH HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY. HVJ ADVOCATES ADDRESS INDIVIDUAL AND SYSTEMIC CHANGES REQUIRED TO IMPROVE SOCIAL CONDITIONS BY ENGAGING IN AN ARRAY OF ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS INCLUDING PEER CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES. MAINE HUNGER INITIATIVE (MHI)-CREATED TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY NEEDS BY ADVOCATING FOR EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE AND DEVELOPING LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO HUNGER IN ONE OF THE MOST FOOD INSECURE STATES IN THE U.S. MHI WORKS TO END HUNGER STATEWIDE THROUGH COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, ANTI-HUNGER EDUCATION, AND PROMOTING POLICY SOLUTIONS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS TO STRENGTHEN MAINE'S EMERGENCY FOOD SYSTEM, AUGMENT FOOD ACCESS AND SYSTEMICALLY ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE THROUGH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COLLABORATIONS. HEALTH SERVICES - CURRENTLY INCLUDES THE MAINE MEDICAL CENTER-PREBLE STREET LEARNING COLLABORATIVE AND THE MEDICATION ASSISTED RECOVERY PROGRAM (MARP). THE MMC-PSLC PROVIDES COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTHCARE FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THAT INTEGRATES HEALTH CARE DELIVERY WITH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND SOCIAL WORK. MARP IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH GREATER PORTLAND HEALTH TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AS PART OF LOW BARRIER MEDICATION ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WHO ARE AT GREATEST RISK OF OVERDOSE AND DEATH. HUSTON COMMONS - PROVIDES 24/365 PERMANENT SUPPORTED "HOUSING FIRST" EFFICIENCY APARTMENTS FOR 30 FORMERLY CHRONICALLY HOMELESS ADULTS WITH MULTIPLE DISABILITIES AND CHALLENGES WHO ARE DEVELOPING SKILLS TO MAINTAIN INDEPENDENT HOUSING. IT OFFERS COMMUNITY SPACE AND LAUNDRY AND INCLUDES A MEDICAL CARE ROOM TO ACCOMMODATE PRACTITIONERS AND TELEMEDICINE, AS WELL AS ON-SITE STAFF WHO PROVIDE REFERRALS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT AND FACILITATE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT, EMPLOYMENT, AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE. LOGAN PLACE - PORTLAND'S FIRST "HOUSING FIRST" PROGRAM, LOGAN PLACE PROVIDES EFFICIENCY APARTMENTS AND 24/365 SUPPORT FOR 30 FORMERLY HOMELESS TENANTS WHO ARE DEVELOPING SKILLS TO MAINTAIN INDEPENDENT HOUSING. IT OFFERS COMMUNITY SPACE FOR GROUP AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND ON-SITE LAUNDRY. HOUSING SUPPORT STAFF ASSIST TENANTS WITH DEVELOPING AND ENHANCING LIFE SKILLS AND BUILDING COMMUNITY, AND MAKE REFERRALS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT, HEALTHCARE, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT, EMPLOYMENT, AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE. QUARANTINE SHELTER - PROVIDING SHELTER SERVICES TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WHO HAVE BEEN RESIDING IN CONGREGATE SETTINGS WITH SHARED BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS WHERE ISOLATION IS NOT POSSIBLE AS WELL AS OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH A COVID-19 POSITIVE INDIVIDUAL BUT HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED, WHO HAVE BEEN TESTED OR ARE AWAITING RESULTS, OR HAVE BEEN TESTED AND CONFIRMED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 AND NEED TO BE ISOLATED BUT DO NOT HAVE A MEDICAL NEED TO BE HOSPITALIZED OR A SAFE PLACE TO SHELTER WHILE THEY ISOLATE OR QUARANTINE. STREET OUTREACH COLLABORATIVE - OFFERING CONCERTED, COMPREHENSIVE OUTREACH TWICE A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR TO PEOPLE LIVING IN UNSHELTERED LOCATIONS, ENSURING BASIC NEEDS ARE MET, WHILE FACILITATING ACCESS TO HOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE SUPPORTING PREPARED MEAL DISTRIBUTION TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS. TEEN SERVICES - OFFERING SAFETY AND SOCIAL WORK SERVICES 24/365 FOR 40-60 HOMELESS AND RUNAWAY YOUTHS, TO MEET THE EMERGENCY AND LONG-TERM NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 12-20 THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM MODEL WHERE THEY CAN DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS THAT PROMOTE STABILITY AND INDEPENDENCE. SERVICES INCLUDE: TEEN CENTER - OPEN 8AM-8PM TO PROVIDE OUTREACH AND SURVIVAL KITS TO YOUTHS ON THE STREET AND AS WELL AS A LOW-BARRIER DROP-INTO MEET IMMEDIATE NEEDS FOR SHELTER, SAFETY, NUTRITIOUS MEALS, SHOWERS, LAUNDRY, AND CLOTHING, AS WELL AS CRISIS INTERVENTION, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, AND CASE MANAGEMENT TO HELP YOUTH IDENTIFY STRENGTHS, AND DEVELOP PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES ESSENTIAL FOR HEALTHCARE AND SUCCESSFUL GOAL-PLANNING AND GROWTH, INCLUDING ON-SITE COLLABORATIVE SERVICES FOR EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, HEALTHCARE SERVICES, AND MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT. JOE KREISLER TEEN SHELTER - A LOW-BARRIER STATE LICENSED 24-BED OVERNIGHT EMERGENCY SHELTER, PROVIDING SAFETY AND SUPPORT SERVICES 8PM-8AM, INCLUDING SHOWERS, CLOTHING, A PLACE TO STUDY OR MEET WITH STAFF, INFORMAL ACTIVITIES, CRISIS INTERVENTION, AND A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES IN COORDINATION WITH THE TEEN CENTER AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO ASSIST EACH YOUTH IN STAYING OFF THE STREET. TEEN SERVICES HOUSING - FIRST PLACE - LONG-TERM TRANSITION-IN-PLACE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE, AGES 16-21, WHO CANNOT RETURN SAFELY TO THEIR FAMILIES, OVERCOME OBSTACLES TO STABLE HOUSING, IN ADDITION TO MEETING BASIC NEEDS, FIRST PLACE SERVICES INCLUDE SCATTERED SITE APARTMENTS, OUTREACH, INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT AND SERVICE PLANNING, LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL SUPPORT, REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES, CASE MANAGEMENT FOR UP TO 18 MONTHS, AND CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR AS LONG AS A YEAR AFTER DISCHARGE. UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM, PARTICIPANTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A HOUSING VOUCHER AND TO USE AT THE CURRENT APARTMENT OR A NEW APARTMENT. WELLNESS SHELTER - A TEMPORARY LOW-BARRIER, 24-HOUR SHELTER FOR UP TO 50 CLIENTS, WITH STAFF AND SERVICES ON SITE, TO ENSURE SAFETY AND SOCIAL DISTANCING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CDC PREVENTION GUIDELINES TO PREVENT COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION OF THE COVID-19 VIRUS. RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM: THE RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM HOUSES CLIENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN THE PORTLAND AREA. RAPID RE-HOUSING IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED AND HOUSING FIRST INTERVENTION DESIGNED TO HELP INDIVIDUALS QUICKLY EXIT HOMELESSNESS, RETURN TO HOUSING IN THE COMMUNITY, AND NOT BECOME HOMELESS AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. ONE CASEWORKER FOCUSES ON SHELTER DIVERSION, WORKING WITH CLIENTS AT THE "FRONT DOOR" OF THE HOMELESS SERVICE SYSTEM TO HELP THEM AVOID ACCESS THE EMERGENCY SHELTER SYSTEM OR SLEEP UNSHELTERED. COVID SHELTER/TES: THE TEMPORARY EMERGENCY SHELTER IS A PROGRAM HAS TWO DISTINCT SHELTER COMPONENTS BUILT INTO IT. THE QUARANTINE SHELTER OFFERS CLIENTS A SAFE PLACE TO QUARANTINE OR AWAIT A TEST RESULT WITHOUT TRANSMITTING THE VIRUS TO THOSE IN THEIR IMMEDIATE VICINITY. ELIGIBLE POPULATIONS INCLUDE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN DENSELY POPULATED HOUSING, FIRST RESPONDERS, AND RESIDENTS OF CONGREGATE CARE FACILITIES. THE GENERAL SHELTER OFFERS A HOTEL SHELTER ROOM TO CLIENTS WHO ARE EITHER UNSHELTERED OR EXITING A GENERAL ASSISTANCE HOTEL PLACEMENT. THE TEMPORARY EMERGENCY SHELTER COLLABORATES WITH A WIDE RANGE OF SUPPORTING PROGRAMS TO ENSURE THAT CLIENTS' NEEDS ARE MET. LEWISTON SHELTER: PROVIDING SHELTER SERVICES TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WHO HAVE BEEN RESIDING IN CONGREGATE SETTINGS WITH SHARED BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS WHERE ISOLATION IS NOT POSSIBLE AS WELL AS OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH A COVID-19 POSITIVE INDIVIDUAL BUT HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED, WHO HAVE BEEN TESTED OR ARE AWAITING RESULTS, OR HAVE BEEN TESTED AND CONFIRMED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 AND NEED TO BE ISOLATED BUT DO NOT HAVE A MEDICAL NEED TO BE HOSPITALIZED OR A SAFE PLACE TO SHELTER WHILE THEY ISOLATE OR QUARANTINE.