Volunteer Mixer
Wed, Nov 5th, 11 AM - 1 PM
Community Room
Join us for a chance to connect, share stories, and learn together! During the gathering, our new Volunteer Coordinator, Dev, will lead a short session, “From Minutes to Meaning,” to make tracking your time simple and impactful.
You’ll also hear about emerging changes and new opportunities in our volunteer program. You can share your interest or sign up to help with special events like our Winter Party, Volunteer Gift Wrap Day, Card-Making for Foster Kids, and more!
If you’re interested in participating but can’t attend the mixer, please reach out to Dev directly at dburgoyne@maybellecenter.org or by phone (503) 241-7374 x 3009.
Old Town Public Art Show: No Vacancy
Now through Nov 30th, 24/7 visibility
Old Town
The No Vacancy Window Gallery has transformed Portland’s historic Old Town neighborhood into a vibrant, accessible, and free window gallery featuring local Portland artists. Artworks are on display in vacant building window fronts, available to be admired anytime!
Our very own Member Outreach Coordinator, Anastasio, is a featured artist! Their abstract paintings appear at the corner of 5th & Flanders (341 NW 5th Ave). See their art anytime, the exhibit is open day & night!
Read more about the exhibit and see a full map online: www.novacancyproject.com
Make Cards for Foster Youth
Thurs, Nov 13th, 3 -4 PM
Community Room
Join us in spreading kindness by creating cards for children in foster care. Everyday encouragement or a special holiday, your words and artwork can brighten a child's day!
Winter Gift Requests
Accepting requests now until November 26th
We’d like to celebrate the holidays with you by bringing you a gift. But we need to know what you want! Please share your gift idea by filling out a gift request form in the Community Room or by contacting Jennifer by email or phone with your request (email: jwyant@maybellecenter.org or call her: 503-241-7374 ext.3006).
Our elves need time to shop and wrap, so we need your requests by Wednesday, November 26th. Gifts will be ready at our Winter Party on Wednesday, December 17th!
Please let our elves know what you’d like by November 26th. Please keep your gift requests around $30. In previous years, members have requested items such as:
- Clothing
- Sheets, towels, bedding
- Shoes, slippers
- Other household items
- CDs, movies
- Books, magazines, games
Celebrating Volunteers & Volunteer Management
"Be Bold. Make Change."
Written by Dev, Maybelle Center Volunteer Coordinator
Each year on Nov. 5th, International Volunteer Managers Day invites us to celebrate the people and practices at the heart of volunteerism. This year’s theme, “Be Bold. Make Change.” reminds us that meaningful change happens when we imagine something better — and take bold steps to make it real.
At Maybelle Center, this spirit guides how we engage volunteers. You are not just helpers — you are co-creators of a community rooted in dignity, connection, and belonging. With our new Volunteer Coordinator, Dev, we’re thrilled to revitalize our programs, strengthen our capacity for community care, and open more pathways for volunteers, Members, and neighbors to participate and build belonging together.
Being bold isn’t always about grand gestures — often it’s about reimagining what’s possible and saying yes to the next step forward. We honor the creativity and courage of those who nurture volunteer engagement, and we thank every Member and volunteer for shaping a stronger Maybelle community! Let’s look ahead to the bold changes we’ll continue to make, together.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
-Margaret Mead
Save the Date: Winter Party!
Wed, Dec 17th, Noon - 3 PM
NW Natural (250 SW Taylor St, Portland, OR)
Join us for an afternoon of Winter Holiday Festivities! We're excited to host this year's party at NW Natural, a beautiful, donated space downtown.
Together we will enjoy great food, live music and sing along with the Oregon Symphony, as well as a variety of other holiday themed activities.
Lunch will start at noon. Then we'll distribute gifts to everyone who submits a holiday gift request form. Gift requests are due by Wed. Nov 26th, seethe form in this newsletter!
If you'd like to help with set-up, clean-up, or other day-of support, we'll ask for help in December!
Construction Updates
Rooms Back in 2026!
If you’ve joined us for any of our regular classes this year, you are probably well aware of the construction site in our courtyard. Adding a much-needed second elevator to our assisted living facility, Macdonald Residence, has meant reduced space and periods of increased noise, traffic, and fewer rooms available to use for our regular classes and activities.
We are happy to share that progress has been moving ahead on schedule and should be complete by the end of Dec!
That means the new year will ring in with a whole new look to our courtyard (complete with an elevator that wasn’t there before!) and a return to our regular use of additional meeting rooms.
Thank you for working with us as we’ve adapted to this period of building growth—we are almost done!
Caroling Meet Up & Rehearsal
Mondays in Nov, 3 - 4:30 PM
Community Room
Do you love singing traditional holiday songs? Do you want to bring holiday cheer to our community? We need your voice! Join us every Monday to sing our favorites and prep for caroling in December. All voices welcome!
Save the Date: Holiday Decorating
Fri, Dec 12th, 12:30 - 3 PM
Community Room
Save the date to join us and Marriott Hotel volunteers to decorate the Community Room for the holidays!
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.
If you love a good deal and a cozy drink — I’ve got some tasty tips for you!
Starbucks App:
With the app, you collect points every time you buy something, and after enough, you get free drinks & snacks! Plus, on your birthday, you get a free treat.
Safeway Club Card Fridays:
Once a month, on a special Friday, Safeway Club Card holders can get a Grande drink & dessert for $6. It’s like a mini celebration for your taste buds and wallet!
Ongoing Opportunities
Changes to ongoing opportunities:
- Community Room Hours Change: We will be open on Fridays until 2:30 PM again. Thank you for your patience as we hired our new Volunteer Coordinator!
- Theatre: Theatre will be back in 2026!
- Maybelle Center will be closed: all day on Thursday, November 27th, for Thanksgiving
- Maybelle Center will be closed: all day Friday, November 28th
- Street Books Mobile Library: Street Books updated their schedule and they no longer overlap with Maybelle Center hours. The best spot nearby is now Ground Score (on NW Couch & Broadway) on Wednesdays from 12:30-1:30 PM.
Ongoing opportunities details:
- Community Room [Updated 2025 hours]: Monday, 1–3 PM; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM, and Fridays 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM.
- 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. (Nov date: 11/11)
- Karaoke: On the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the Month, from 1:30 - 2:30 PM in the Community Room. (Nov dates: 11/11 & 11/25)
- 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.
- Birthday Party: Usually the fourth Thursday of the Month, 1:30 - 2:30 PM. A monthly celebration of member birthdays with cupcakes (gluten-free and sugar-free available). (In Nov, the celebration will be a week earlier, on 11/20)
- 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.
- 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 pizza. (Next meeting date forthcoming)
- Theatre Class: Theatre will back in 2026!
- Monthly Member Music Jam Session: Usually the last Thursday (November will be one week early on 11/20) in the Community Room at 3 PM. Come make music with fellow Members, volunteers, and staff.