Stories are everywhere—real, human stories about people fighting to find a home, keep one, live their lives, and take care of their families.

I love working with clients who make a real difference. Few organizations have helped change lives the way Pine Tree Legal Assistance (PTLA) has. Founded by Seward “Pat” Brewster in 1966, their nonprofit lawyers—working out of six offices across Maine—provide legal advice and represent low-income Mainers. They work with vulnerable populations, renters, Maine tribes, migrant workers, and many others who need a voice.

Each one of PTLA’s clients have stories.

I’m fortunate to be sharing the story of the Funny Farm—a ragtag group of individuals—including addicts, a former convict and an aging Merry Prankster. They’ve built a family by choice, creating a life together in a threadbare collection of buildings on a rural property in Lowell, Maine. Their story is powerful, as profound as the impact that Pine Tree Legal Assistance has had on their sober living community. If you ask the PTLA lawyers, they’ll shrug and say, “It’s what we do”. To the people who get to keep their homes, it’s everything.

I’m honored to tell this story and highlight the important work PTLA is doing in Maine.

 

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