Introducing Seasonal Belonging Retreats!
Winter Belonging Retreat
Wed, Feb 4th, 10:30 AM - 1 PM Community Room
We’re excited to launch a new tradition: Seasonal Belonging Retreats! If you’ve loved the annual retreats at Menucha, you’ll enjoy these seasonal gatherings. They’ll be smaller, more frequent, and just as enriching. And yes—our tradition of one off-site retreat each year will continue! Our first retreat will be a mini on-site experience filled with belonging-building activities, guided reflection, and opportunities to bridge differences and deepen relationships. Snacks will be provided and all are welcome! To attend, please sign up in the Community Room or contact Shane (503-241-7374 ext. 3003, or sskinner@maybellecenter.org).
Your Survey Makes a Big Difference!
Plus! Complete the online survey by following the link in the button below for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card!
Please help us by filling out the linked survey below with your honest responses. You're insights will be helping us ensure our programming is the best it can be. Plus, when you completed the survey before the end of February, you’ll be entered into a raffle to win one of eight $50 Visa gift cards!
Get Help with SNAP Benefits!
You've probably heard about new requirements to receive SNAP benefits. Siggy, our Member Support Coordinator, is here to help you get the benefits you need! For instance, there are many ways to be exempt from the new required work or volunteer hours. Email or call Siggy to schedule a time to work through everything (storfason@maybellecenter.org, 503-241-7374 ext3004) or sign up in the Community Room.
Community Choir!
Mondays (Starting Feb 2nd), 3-4:30 PM
Classroom
Love music? Want to have a great time making it? Join us! No experience is necessary and all music will be taught by listening. This new choir isn’t just about Maybelle Center, we are also inviting singers from Portland State University (PSU) and the whole neighborhood to join us!
We’ll start with an 8-10 week choir season to prepare for a performance for our broader Portland community. This brand-new approach will be led by PSU’s Social Justice Initiative Choir program and directed by Peter Freeman.
Come join us as we make great music, learn about our voices, and gather together in joy! Sign up or learn more in the Community Room or by getting in touch with Jen (jwyant@maybellecenter.org or 503-241-7374 ext. 3006).
Meet Peter, Our Choir Director!
Peter (he/him) is a pianist, composer, singer, and hype man with a master’s degree in conducting. He loves making great music with great people and can’t wait to work with Maybelle Center!
Friendship Day: Card Making!
Tue, Feb 3rd, 12:30 PM
Community Room
Celebrate friendship and help spread joy by making cards for friends, community members, and foster youth! All supplies will be provided, come join us!
February Arts & Culture Outing: The Black Gallery
Fri, Feb 27th, 12:45 PM
Meet in the Community Room
February is Black History Month! Let's visit the Black Gallery together: a space where art and activism intersect. The gallery functions as a tool for connection and community engagement. They host a variety of workshops, exhibitions, events, and educational programs, all to encourage and engage our community. Sign up in the Community Room if you’d like to join us, there is no limit to how many people can participate.
Member's Corner
By Andre L. George
DEC. 2025 MY EPIPHANY FOR THE WINTER HOLIDAYS FROM HANUKKAH TO CHRISTMAS TO KWANZAA I TAKE MYSELF OUT BEYOND THE CITY AND SUBURBAN LIGHTS, PERHAPS TO THE BEACH OR DESERT. THERE I LOOK UP INTO THE NIGHT SKY AND OBSERVE ALL THE BRIGHT, BEAUTIFUL STARS SPARKLING LIKE DIAMONDS AGAINST A DEEP BLACK VELVET BACKGROUND. NOW I PERCEIVE ALL THESE STARS AS THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN BY WHICH GOD AND THE ANGELS CAN LOOK INTO THE UNIVERSE. THE LIGHT OF THESE STARS, FROM THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN THAT MAINTAIN THE CONTINUITY OF CREATION MAKING THE POSSIBLE PHOTO-SYNTHESIS AND WARMTH FOR THE COMFORT AND EVOLUTION OF LIFE. A CELEBRATION OF LIGHT. IT IS LIGHT THAT DOES PIERCE THE DARKNESS. LOVE IS THE GREATEST EXPERIENCE OF LIFE. LIFE IS THE GREATEST EXPRESSION OF LOVE. LOVE AND LIFE IS GOD’S GREATEST GIFT TO BOTH HUMANITY AND THE UNIVERSE.
February Art Class: Junk Journaling
Tue, Feb 24th, 2-4 PM
Starlight Apts (355 NW 6th Ave) - meet us there!
Are you creative and looking for a new process to get into? Do you like collages or collecting a lot of little things? This workshop will be a great place for you to get your collection together and build a journal to capture all the pieces. Seats are limited to 12 people! Sign up in the Community Room or with Anastasio (awrobel@maybellecenter.org or 503-241-7374 ext.3005).
Winter Light Festival Display
Evenings Feb 6th-14th
Maybelle Center Community Room Windows
Designed to bring light to the wintry darkness, the Portland Winter Light Festival combines light, technology, and art to create interactive experiences! While Maybelle Center isn’t officially participating, we've created a window display to help light up our neighborhood. Check it out after dark! You can also see other displays all around town. Check out the full map on the website: pdxwlf.com.
Write Around Portland Workshop
Every Tue, Feb 24th- April 21st, 3-5 PM
Classroom
Do you love writing? Have you ever wanted to see your writing published? Join us in February for another Write Around Portland 10-week session! This is a hands-on creative writing workshop open to writers of all levels and experience! Sign up in the Community Room or contact Jen (jwyant@maybellecenter.org or 503-241-7374 ext. 3006).
Calling All Members and Volunteers!
Do you have artwork to share?
We'd love to feature your work in this newsletter!
Connect with Shane to be published (sskinner@maybellecenter.org, 503-241-7374 x3003).
Patty's Coupon Corner
Monthly savings tips!
Written by Patty, Maybelle Center Member with a passion for saving, learned from the resourcefulness of her family.
Score Blazers Tickets
Here is a slam dunk of a tip from Royce: If you're dreaming of cheering on the Blazers live, check out TickPick online (tickpick.com)—for discounted Blazer tickets and no sneaky extra fees!
For as little as $10+ for some games, get ready to shout, “Go Blazers!” with fellow Rip City fans.
Ongoing Opportunities
Changes to ongoing opportunities:
- Theatre: Theatre will be back in the Spring of 2026!
- Movies & Birthdays: Going forward, when Birthday Party happens (on the fourth Thursday of the month), there will be no Movie and Popcorn that day in the Community Room
Ongoing opportunities details:
- Community Room: Monday, 1–3 PM; Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM.
- Choir: Mondays 3-4:30 PM in the Classroom. Come sing with us, regardless of your past choir experience (or complete lack there of)!
- CareOregon Advantage Q&A: 2nd Tuesday of the Month, 10:30 AM - Noon in the Community Room. Reps from Care Oregon will answer your questions on aging, disability, and Medicare. (Feb date: 2/10)
- Karaoke: In 2026, we will have seasonal karaoke parties, instead of 2x/month in the Community Room. Our next karaoke party will be in March 2026!
- Movie and Popcorn: Every Thursday 12:30 - 2:30 PM in the Community Room. Grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy a classic film or new blockbuster together. Going forward, we won't have Movie and Popcorn on the day we have Birthday Party.
- Birthday Party: Usually the fourth Thursday of the Month, 1:30 - 2:30 PM. A monthly celebration of member birthdays with cake (gluten-free and sugar-free available) and live music. (Feb date: 2/6)
- Bingo: Every Friday, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM in the Community Room. Join us for some friendly competition and get ready to shout "Bingo!"
- Heart Circles: Every Thursday, 11:15 AM in the Classroom. A safer space for folks to speak from their hearts, to be heard, and to listen. This will be a combined group in place of Men’s, Women’s, and Rainbow Group, facilitated by a staff member.
- Monthly Art Class: The last Tuesday of the month, join us for a new art class hosted in the Starlight Apartments space. (Feb date: 2/24 for Junk Journaling, RSVP required in advance)
- Monthly Arts & Culture Outing: Join us for a group outing to take in some of Portland's extensive arts and culture. (Feb date: 2/27 to the The Black Gallery)
- Member Forum: Quarterly, 12:45 AM - 2:30 PM in the Community Room. Join us each quarter to brainstorm new ideas, discuss any concerns, and eat lunch together. (Next meeting date forthcoming)
- Theatre Class: Theatre will back in 2026!