USM Staff and Faculty Respond with Warmth to Neighbors

Holiday generosity has been demonstrated this month by USM staff and faculty responding to requests for assistance to neighbors in greater Portland served by our community partners at Parkside Neighborhood Center and Preble Street.  Parkside Director Rachel Horton White was overwhelmed by the response to invitations to "adopt" families in that community, providing holiday meals and gifts, and was able to meet the needs of every family registerd and do outreach to offer help to additional families in Parkside.  And nearly three dozen pairs of warm gloves and nearly three dozen warm hats, along with warm scarves, boots, and jackets were accepted by Matt Brown at Preble Street for clients including those at the newly opened Joe Kriesler Teen Shelter, named for USM Professor Emeritus Joseph Kreisler of the School of Social Worker.  In addition, nine sets of kids' hats and mittens were provided to a local Children's Clothing Closet.  USM's Office of Community Service Learning provides stewardship of our community partnerships with Parkside, Preble Street, and other community organizations with whom students undertake service learning, internships, and more.