The largest homeless shelter in Portland, Maine, now has a new director.
Sara Fleurant will replace Rob Parritt as director of the 154-person Oxford Street Shelter. The Portland Press Herald reports Parritt resigned in October after nearly a decade as shelter director, citing the stresses of managing a shelter that routinely exceeds capacity.
Portland city spokesperson Jessica Grondin said in a statement that Fleurant has worked for Portland for the last nine years in a variety of roles. She will be responsible for managing the administrative operations of the Oxford Street Shelter as well as managing programs to reduce homelessness in the city.
Fleurant holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from Smith College.