As we embrace the spirit of the holiday season, we feel a profound call to share a story that vividly illustrates the remarkable difference your support makes for individuals in our community through Pine Tree Legal Assistance.



Just one day before Thanksgiving, a gentleman arrived at our door, with a deep sense of desperation and distress. Two weeks prior, a devastating fire had destroyed his apartment building, leading to its condemnation by the City of Bangor. He found himself displaced through no fault of his own, facing the harsh reality of homelessness due to circumstances beyond his control. The Red Cross had initially provided him with temporary shelter, but following a brief hospital stay, he found himself released back into a world of uncertainty, with no place to call home. The landlord, offering no alternative, insisted the building was unsafe, leaving him with nowhere to turn.

Feeling overwhelmed and hopeless after an ineffective visit to another local agency, he sought our help as a last resort, hoping for a miracle right before the holiday. Our dedicated advocate of 17 years, Paula, recognized the urgency of his situation with a heart full of compassion. Without hesitation, she leaped into action. Paula reached out to the landlord, not only identifying his legal obligations but emphasizing the deeply human aspect of the matter.

“You do realize it’s the day before Thanksgiving, don’t you?”

she reminded him, underscoring that everyone deserves a safe and comforting place during a time meant for gathering and gratitude.

Thanks to our advocacy, the landlord quickly agreed to refund his November rent—an essential lifeline that would give him the chance to secure temporary shelter. But Paula didn’t stop there; she personally accompanied him to the landlord’s office, ensuring that he received the funds without delay. In that moment, a wave of relief washed over him, lifting a burden he feared would overshadow his holiday. With that support, he was able to secure a hotel room for a week, providing a safe haven as he awaited the repairs to his home...

We invite you to stay connected as we share updates on his journey. Our commitment to providing support and advocacy for those in need remains steadfast, and your generous contributions make these critical interventions possible. Together, we are transforming the lives of Mainers, one story at a time.

Your kindness creates ripples of hope and healing within our community, and we are deeply grateful for your role in this mission. Thank you for being an essential part of the Pine Tree Legal Assistance family and for standing with us in the pursuit of justice.

Wishing you abundant joy and warmth this holiday season,

Pine Tree Legal Assistance

What brought you to Pine Tree and what did you do before?

"I was born and raised in Clarksville, Tennessee right smack in time for the Civil Rights movement in the south. Justice - access to Justice - fairness - equality - human dignity - has always been the background soundtrack that plays in my life. For the most part, I've always worked and volunteered non-profit organizations that serve people & children in need. I "accidently" got a job at Legal Aid of West Virginia 20+ years ago - discovered what a Paralegal for an LSC firm can do and found my life's calling."

What is your favorite board game?

"Candyland. I haven't beat my grandson at it yet - but I'm hopeful I will win someday."

Tell us about your pets!

"Honey is a Cockapoo we adopted from the shelter almost 10 years ago as a companion to my father, who moved in with us after my mother passed. She is the most gentle, soulful, loyal fur baby anyone could ever want. She does bark at anybody outside our home (including on the street) - but Papa was nearly deaf and it was her job to alert him. We adopted Winnie almost 5 years ago - she's a Lhasa Apso who was a PETA rescue from an outdoor pen in North Carolina. Winnie is famous on the Internet: PETA made a YouTube video (PSA) featuring Winnie's rescue & adoption situation: "Dog Does Cutest Happy Dance After Haircut" - which had 125K views - the most popular video PETA has produced in 25 years. Winnie is a very, VERY happy girl, full of wiggles, snuggles & howls. Her favorite hobby is eating. Honey will bark at anybody at our door - Winnie will invite them in and make 'em coffee!"

If you could pick one song to play every time you enter a room, what would it be?

"Woke Up This Morning - theme song from the Sopranos"

Do you have a hidden talent?

"I am a retired Belly Dancer."

What does justice mean to you?

"Fairness. Equality. Every human on earth deserves to be on a level playing field. I am proud as hell that I get to be one of the people who makes that happen for folks that don't ever get that chance anywhere else."

A recent article in the Bangor Daily News highlights the harsh realities many tenants face if evicted, even as they strive for housing stability. Pine Tree Legal Assistance remains dedicated to serving people facing the risk of eviction, and the scope of our communities' needs for affordable housing and legal help is enormous.

As we navigate these difficult waters, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support. Your generosity is a vital lifeline for families facing uncertainty, and it empowers us to continue to advocate for change and provide safety to Maine people.

Members of the Maine Bar can support PTLA’s work by donating to the Campaign for Justice, a special collaborative fundraising effort by

Maine’s legal community to support legal aid.

Holidays can make the lights in our lives shine brighter than ever, but they also can put the depth of inequality in our communities into stark relief. At times when many of us are blessed to celebrate abundance, family and friends, the feeling of isolation for folks navigating hardship and exclusion can hit even harder. Paula's timely and highly successful intervention the day before Thanksgiving this year joins the annals of Pine Tree holiday stories of times when our team helped someone keep their electricity on for Christmas, stopped a late December foreclosure, or won dismissal of an unjust debt just in time for someone to afford a gift for their child.

Thank you all for being part of this team and carrying this mission forward! 

On behalf of the entire team at Pine Tree Legal,

we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your support and wish you all the best in 2025.

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