The organization is still trying to rebound after memberships dropped during the pandemic.
asylum seekers
South Portland council declines to pursue proposed transitional housing plan for former school building
Zoning ordinances must be reexamined to allow for such facilities in the city, and councilors say they are open to exploring that option.
Portland Adult Education graduates celebrate success and sacrifices
The 141 graduates, many of whom came from other countries and worked multiple jobs, took care of family and dealt with homelessness, all while working toward high school diplomas and workforce certificates.
Migrants rattled, unsure as U.S. begins deportations under new rule halting asylum
A sense of uncertainty prevails among migrants after President Biden invoked powers to suspend asylum for people who cross the border illegally.
Maine AG sues religious leader in Westbrook, accusing him of ‘exploiting’ asylum seekers
Attorney General Aaron Frey says Shonda Okonda violated state and federal laws by charging immigrants and asylum seekers for legal services he wasn’t authorized to provide.
Biden expected to announce new asylum restrictions at border
The move has been under consideration since the failure of bipartisan border legislation that would have enacted a similar trigger to shut off asylum access at times when U.S. authorities become overwhelmed.
After difficult quest for stable housing, Angolan family finds home in Lewiston
Last March, Anadia Miguel was 7 months pregnant and inconsolable in a temporary shelter for asylum seekers in Portland. A year later, much has changed.
State revokes license at Portland motel used as emergency housing for asylum seekers
After a complaint, an inspection at the Motel 6 found a cockroach infestation. The code violation will force families staying at the property to move out by July 1.
Portland lobbies state lawmakers for more General Assistance money
The city is trying to fill a $20.3 million gap in next year’s budget, and Mayor Mark Dion says General Assistance is a crucial part of that.
Just a Little Old: A mother’s journey from Kenya to Bath
In December 2022, I wrote a piece (“The Bike Whisperer”) about Mark Wheeler’s hobby of fixing up old bicycles and then giving them to people who needed them. Mark tipped me off to this inspiring story, thereby earning another title: The Story Whisperer. Last summer, Njeri Kamere was living in Nairobi, Kenya, with her 15-year-old […]