The Rev. Bryan S. Breault is the Minister of the State Street Church, a Recipient of One of the Grants Awarded by MaineHousing.

The Welcoming Doors of State Street Congregational Church, 159 State Street, Portland.

A Valentine on Display Outside of State Street Congregational Church on Valentgine’s Day, February 14, 2023.

Last week State Street Church, Portland, was selected as one of the 13 non-profits across Maine to receive funding to participate in a Winter Overnight Shelter program.  State Street Church is one of 3 organizations in Portland chosen to participate by MaineHousing, Augusta,  who is funding the program.

Tonight the leaders of State Street Church, (SSC), will meet to make a final decision on whether or not to participate in the program according to Rev. Bryan S. Breault, minister of SSC.  It is a program that members have been enthusiastic about since the idea  came up, but decisions on the operation of such an undertaking need to be discussed and finalilzed.

A plan on how the church will proceed is in development said Rev. Breault yesterday afternoon at his  office, 159 State Street.

The church is working with social services agencies on how people will be selected and served. The space dedicated to such a program is in the Church’s basement.  To accommodate that, some rennovations would be required.   If approved by Church leaders tonight, the expectation is that the Winter Overnight Shelter would be up and running by next month.

“We are a church so we will partner with one or more social service agencies that knows how best we can be of service,’ said Rev. Breault.  “I hope that it will happen.  There are lots of questions to be answered at tonight’s meeting.”

“The Congregational model is not always the most efficient, but it is the most democratic system,” Rev. Breault said.  He has been serving at SSC for almost two years

For more background information on the Winter Overnight Shelter program funded by MaineHousing, please visit post herein dated February 13, 2023.