LEWISTON – Trinity Episcopal Church, 247 Bates St., will present “Hear Our Stories, Know Our Names,” a Maine Council of Churches drama depicting the lives of people struggling with poverty every day in Maine, at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 3.

The play is based primarily on the experiences of people who have, at one time, been homeless. The stories of how the homeless performers have dealt with a broad scope of challenges and issues and have successfully persevered are riveting and eye-opening.

Rose is 54 and a Portland native. The homelessness she knew in the 60’s has stayed with her – vivid memories of being forced by hunger to steal and of seeking shelter in cellars or under the South Portland bridge.

The “Hear Our Stories, Know Our Names” drama project, developed by the Maine Council of Churches, features performers like Rose from Preble Street Resource Center, Portland, as story-tellers and actors, using the opportunity to make people aware that homelessness extends across all economic levels.

Rose became involved with “Hear Our Stories, Know Our Names” in order to dispel some of the stereotypes that follow people in the streets and raise awareness of the issues faced by those with no permanent address.

The drama, which premiered in early 2005, has been seen by thousands of Mainers in more than 27 live performances before congregations, agencies and members of the Maine legislature.

Many homeless residents of Maine have held jobs, were settled in apartments and were doing all right, “getting by.” The loss of a job, family illness or unforeseen circumstances changes lives suddenly, sometimes leaving someone who was once self-sufficient with no home, no income and desperately seeking help to obtain food and shelter.

Billy, the cast’s poet, arrived at Portland’s Oxford Street Shelter in the summer of 1998. A self-described hobo, hitchhiker, freight train rider, he’s been homeless much of his life. An ex-gang member, ex-biker and an extreme camper, he ran away from his home in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 15. A gifted writer, Billy once received a prize for his poetry. Two of his poems were published by a small press in the 1980s.

“Drama is a very good way to tell a story,” said Dolores Vail, coordinator of the Economic Justice Initiative of the Maine Council of Churches. With a grant from the Haymarket People’s Fund, Vail recruited a group of nine from Preble Street Resource Center who were interested in developing their personal stories into a performance piece.

The audience will be invited to participate in a group discussion after the presentation.

For more information about the drama or to request a performance, contact Vail at 772-1918.

Admission is free; however, donations to cover expenses are welcome. Additional information about the council’s justice work and the performance schedule is available at www.mainecouncilofchurches.org.