News
Specially Trained Service Dogs Helping Maine's Veterans
Thursday, January 7, 2016 | Category: Pet-Facilitated Care (PFC) - ME
Maine veterans receive certified service dogs thanks to the efforts of Maine K-9 officers. Portland police officer Christian Stickney developed the 16-week curriculum. Recently, veteran Sam Raymond gratefully received Gracie who learned special commands.
It Looks Like There Are More Homeless Veterans in Maine. But the Numbers Don't Tell the Whole Story.
Thursday, December 31, 2015 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - ME
In the past eight years, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development data reflects the number of homeless veterans increasing by 70 percent. In 2008, 89 were counted and in 2015, 181. In some areas there's been a decrease, but in others like Washington and Hancock counties, there have been more homeless veterans identified. Phil Allen, Veterans Housing Services for Portland homeless service provider Preble Street, gives credit to more systematic outreach and quickly connecting veterans with services. Megan Burgess, veteran’s services case manager for Washington-Hancock Community Agency, finds her efforts hampered as federal housing vouchers are allocated by location. Her clients often are not within the Bangor service area. But, she agrees that outreach and having a presence in the community has made a difference. Additionally, providers and veterans themselves are reaching in for assistance.
LePage Picks Brewer Native Douglas Farnham as Defense Chief
Tuesday, December 29, 2015 | Category: National Guard Bureau - ME
Governor LePage nominated Air Force Colonel Douglas A. Farnham as the Guard’s adjutant general and commissioner of Defense, Veterans, and Emergency Management less than a week after General Gerard Bolduc declined his nomination. For the past three years, Colonel Farnham served as wing commander of the 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor.
General Passes at Top Job
Wednesday, December 23, 2015 | Category: National Guard Bureau - ME
Governor Lepage's nominee to be Maine's next Adjutant General declined the job. Brigadier General Gerard Bolduc released a statement with no reason specified regarding his withdrawal from consideration.
LePage Nominee for Top Guard Job Withdraws From Consideration
Wednesday, December 23, 2015 | Category: National Guard Bureau - ME
General Gerard Bolduc declined Governor LePage's nomination for the Maine Adjutant General position. A new nominee will be announced at a later date.
From Homeless and Underemployed to Stable: One Maine Veteran's Success Story
Tuesday, December 15, 2015 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - ME
Homeless, underemployed, and in transitional housing, Michael, a Waldo County veteran, contacted Goodwill’s Workforce Services for career assistance. With assistance from a Goodwill employment counselor, he found training as an Oil Burner Technician and was referred to Preble Street for housing assistance. He is employed and stays connected to the Goodwill Workforce staff.
LePage, Michaud Find Common Ground: Jobs for Maine Veterans
Monday, December 14, 2015 | Category: Employment - ME
About 185 veterans were hired in Maine during Maine's "Hire-A-Vet Campaign." The campaign, launched by the Maine Department of Labor and other sponsors, exceeded expectations by nearly doubling its goal.
Wreaths Across America Leads the Way in Honoring Our Nation's Veterans with Support from Walmart
Thursday, December 3, 2015 | Category: History/Heritage - ME
During the holiday season, Wreaths Across America sponsors the placement of fresh, evergreen wreaths on veterans' headstones. This year, Walmart donated $150,000 to purchase 40,000 wreaths and 16 trailers to transport over 80,000 wreaths to 1,000 memorial ceremonies across the country as part of the company's involvement in WAA and National Wreath Across America Day on Dec. 12, 2015.
Veterans Housing at Togus, Portland Apartments Among Those Winning Tax Credits
Thursday, December 3, 2015 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - ME
The Volunteers of America New England "Cabin in the Woods" project for homeless veterans was allocated nearly $400,000 in federal low-income housing tax credits. When the needed monies are raised, 21 cabins will be built on 11 acres on the Maine VA property at Togus under a 75-year lease. Additionally, 16 Veterans Affairs housing vouchers, funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, were designated to help veterans pay rent on the cabins.
U.S. Senate Approves Mike Michaud for Department of Labor Post
Friday, November 20, 2015 | Category: Department of Labor - ME
The U.S. Senate approved Mr. Mike Michaud to serve as Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training at the U.S. Department of Labor. President Obama nominated Mr. Michaud in July 2015. Mr. Michaud was a 2014 candidate for governor and a ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs during his 12 years in Congress between 2003 and 2012.