Preble Street Turning Hunger and into Opportunity and Hope

April 2nd, 2021 Florence Huston Commons Dear Senator Claxton, Representative Meyer, and Members of the Health and Logan Place Human Services Committee, Anti-Trafficking Services Veterans Services My name is Izzy Ostrowski, and I’m the Social Change Advocate at Preble Street, a human services anti-poverty agency with over a dozen programs and Rapid Re-Housing services provided across the state. I’m writing in support of LD 888: An Act Emergency Food Programs to Ensure Ongoing Services for Victims of Sexual Assault and Domestic Teen Center Violence. Joe Kreisler Teen Shelter First Place It is a reality that, throughout our programs, we are witnesses to many people Street Outreach Collaborative simultaneously carrying the trauma of homelessness as well as sexual assault Advocacy and domestic violence. When a person is experiencing homelessness, and Hunger Initiative especially for those that are unsheltered, they face uncertainties around where they will be safe. Research conducted in 2016* showed that ninety-two Health Services percent of women experiencing homelessness report having experienced MMC-Preble Street severe physical and/or sexual assault at some point in their lives. The cycle Learning Collaborative of homelessness and sexual assault is one that should not bear repeating; and

BOARD OF DIRECTORS yet it so often does. This was made evident by a 2018** report that directly linked violence and trauma as contributors to continued homelessness. John Roberts President Terry Sutton For people who have experienced abusive relationships, there is immense value Vice President in modeling secure and safe relationships through providers and advocates that Edie White Secretary are trained in this area and trauma informed. People need these services to fully Rebecca Asen engage in the healing and recovery that is needed after experiencing sexual Treasurer assault or domestic violence. This can only happen with adequate funding to Judy Bertram Jane Bradley ensure that proper support is provided. Terry Davies Herb Janick Sexual assault and domestic violence prevention services are a lifeline to Preble Chip Leighton Street clients who have experienced trauma before and while experiencing Robert Ravenelle Elaine Rosen homelessness. One such lifeline program, Through These Doors, provides Kini Schoop innovative and client-centered services to survivors of domestic violence and Renee Schwalberg abuse. We also have a strong working relationship with Sexual Assault Maurice A. Selinger III Response Services of Southern Maine (SARSSM) who provides essential Ben Shambaugh services to clients of Florence House women's shelter and residential services Yemaya St. Clair Jay Tansey who have experienced a sexual assault, either while they are homeless or in their Lannie Welch past. Women who are experiencing homelessness are exposed and vulnerable Lori Whynot on the street to sexual assault, so our staff routinely access Sexual Assault Jennifer Wilson Response Team Advocates via SARSSM to provide clients with support and Mark R. Swann advocacy as they go through the process of reporting their experience to police Executive Director or grieving their bodily loss of safety and security. Cuts to services at SARSSM would negatively impact clients and tenants that we collaboratively serve in the community.

SARSSM has also been a key partner to Preble Street Anti-Trafficking Services (ATS) in identifying and serving Victims of Human Trafficking (VOT) in Maine. Through their efforts, many VOT have been connected with services and support. In particular, their youth advocacy has given voice to Minor VOTs who have been victims of sexual assault. Advocates have helped these young people navigate challenging systems that include involvement from DHHS, law enforcement, mental health and other service providers. Without these services, clients utilizing our program and others across the state will see a decrease in support.

A decrease in funding to staffing and services in sexual assault and domestic violence organizations would have a catastrophic impact on the clients that we serve. For this reason, we urge you to vote in support of LD 888 to make sure that people who have lived through the immense trauma of sexual assault and domestic violence are able to access needed services that will help them to heal.

Thank you for your time,

Izzy Ostrowski

*(Our Voice, 2016) ”Sexual Assault and Homelessness: A Vulnerable Population”

**(D.C. Women’s Needs Assessment, 2017) “2017 DC Women’s Needs Assessment Report: The Women’s Task Force of the District of Columbia Interagency Council on Homelessness”