Steven Mark Huston

Steven Mark
Huston, 53
PORTLAND -- Steven Mark Huston, 53, died on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, in his easy chair.
Steve was a compelling advocate for social justice. As former Governor John Baldacci said, 'His life work was truly God's work. He blessed many families with his hard work and sacrifice; for others not himself.'
Born on Jan. 27, 1959, in Norfolk, Va., Steve was the son of Elinor Pachowski Strandburg and Donald Francis Huston, and is survived by his brother, Richard Huston, his sister, Dawn Huston, and his cherished children, Steve Jr. and Stephanie.
Steve lead a life best described as 'a road less traveled'- filled with kindness and friendship shown to his fellow travelers. Family was important to him. Social justice was his mission. And a commitment to speak for those who were maligned and marginalized was his passion.
When he was 12, Steve left Maine for Texas to be with his father then continued traveling the U.S. but returned to Portland where he spent the last 20 years advocating for those who, like him, struggled with homelessness, poverty, and addictions.
A former client of Preble Street, Steve became an advocate with Homeless Voices for Justice member, was hired as one of the first employees at Logan Place, led a successful campaign to pass first legislation against Hate Violence in the nation, influenced efforts to prohibit illegal evictions, served as a tri-chair for Portland's Emergency Shelter Assessment Committee, provided trainings to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and area colleges, and spoke often to organizations, legislators, and the public to articulate the struggle and elevate the understanding of homelessness, as in a June 2012 Letter to the Editor, asking:
'Mainers to take a step back from anti-poverty sentiment and work on solutions to today's problems: the lack of affordable housing and livable wages, unemployment, food insecurity and...poverty. All these problems lead to one thing: increased homelessness for our children, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters.'
Steve will be missed for his resilience, artistic talent, compassion, and eloquence, loyalty to his friends and colleagues, and his determination to end injustice.
All are welcome to come to Steve's remembrance and celebratory service, which will be held on Friday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m., at the Preble Street Soup Kitchen, 252 Oxford St., Portland.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to:
Preble Street Resource Center
18 Portland St.
Portland, Maine 04101
Steven Mark
Huston