Construction is Complete!
If you've been in the Community Room this past year, you know it's been a bit cramped. Our group spaces were unavailable during construction of a new elevator for our assisted living. But construction is complete and rooms are back. Come enjoy the extra space with us!
Need an Honored Citizen ID for TriMet?
Siggy is now able to certify these cards! See her in the Community Room:
- Mon: 1:30 - 3 PM
- Tue: 10:30 AM - Noon
- Thurs: 12:30 - 3 PM
Spring Write Around Portland: RSVP Now!
Every Tue, Feb 24th - April 21st, 3 - 5 PM
Classroom
Ever wanted to try writing? Already love to write? Join us in February for another Write Around Portland 10-week session! Open to writers of all levels and experience. This hands-on creative writing workshop is for everyone and is devoted to the transformative power of writing in community. The workshop ends with an anthology publication & public reading! Sign up in the Community Room or contact Jen (jwyant@maybellecenter.org or 503-241-7374 ext. 3006).
Sing in Community and with Portland State University!
Starting in February
Interested in music? Join us for our re-launched and re-imagined choir this winter! We want everyone to join us, regardless of your past experience in a choir. We’ll make great music together without having to read sheet music, learn more about our voices, and explore the joy of expression together.
Our new structure will be 8-10 week “seasons” in preparation for a live performance for the broader Portland community. We'll also get to sing with fellow community members in Portland. This new approach will be led by Peter Freeman, who has heard the Maybelle Choir sing before and can’t wait to sing with us!
Sign up in the Community Room or learn more by getting in touch with Jennifer (jwyant@maybellecenter.org 503-241-7374 ext. 3006).
PLUS: Meet & Greet with new Choir Director, Peter Freeman, in January (date TBD)!
Peter is part of Portland State University’s Social Justice Initiative Choir Program, and is also a pianist, composer, singer, and hype man.
Coming Next Month: The Belonging Barometer
What & Why We Need Your input!
Next month in this newsletter look for the Belonging Barometer Survey. It looks like a 10-question survey, but it is much more!
When you fill out and return the Belonging Barometer, you'll be part of a national effort to prioritize every person’s basic health need for belonging. And you’ll be giving Maybelle Center the info we need to assess our work.
Once we have everyone’s answers, we’ll analyze them anonymously to get a good picture of how our Neighborhood Programs are doing in building a community where everyone experiences belonging.
Help us by sharing your experience!
Shape Belonging at Maybelle Center!
Mondays in Feb, 3-4 PM
Community Room
Do you care about building belonging at Maybelle Center? We’re starting a Belonging Action Plan Committee to design simple tools to help Members explore their Belonging Barometer score and increase connection.
If you’re curious, creative, or just love the idea of helping people feel included, let Shane know and join us (sskinner@maybellecenter.org, (503) 241-7374 ext 3003).
2026 New Recurring Arts Offerings:
Monthly Arts & Culture Outings
Each month in 2026 we’ll be hosting one outing to take in some of Portland’s arts and culture offerings! Sign-up sheets will be available in the Community Room and will be limited to the first 10 sign-ups (with a waitlist available). We ask if you attend one month, wait the following month for others to have the chance to sign-up first. We also encourage everyone to bring your SNAP cards so we can use the Arts for All tickets.
January Arts & Culture Outing: Portland Art Museum
Fri, Jan 16th, 1-3 PM | Community Room
Have you seen the newly expanded Portland Art Museum? Explore it with us this January! Maybelle Center will cover the cost of the first 10 individuals who sign up in the Community Room or get in touch with Jennifer to reserve your spot (jwyant@maybellecenter.org, 503-241-7374 ext.3006).
(Volunteers needed to support with this outing!)
Monthly Art Classes at Starlight Apartments
The last Tuesday of every month in 2026 we'll have an art class in the beautiful space in the Starlight Apts (355 NW 6th Ave). RSVP in advance will be required for these classes.
January Starlight Art Class: Watercolors
Tue, Jan 27th, 2-4 PM | Starlight Apts (355 NW 6th Ave)
Come learn fun tips, tricks, and basic techniques in this great medium! All materials supplied (bring your own reference photos if you want). Only 12 seats available, contact Anastasio to reserve yours (awrobel@ maybellecenter.org, 503-241-7374 ext. 3005).
Shout-Out to Our Volunteers!
Honoring Our Community Through a Year of Change
As we step into 2026, we want to pause and honor the commitment, resilience, and heart you bring to our community. Your presence matters. Your relationships matter. Your belief in a community where everyone belongs makes collective liberation possible.
This past year brought major change across Maybelle Center. Many of you navigated shifting schedules, new procedures, and unexpected challenges—and you did so grounded in care for our Members and one another.
Together, we reflected on the systems we uphold, the unintended harm they can cause, and our shared responsibility to choose transformation over the status quo. Your willingness to grow with us, ask questions, and center humanity, is true community care.
This year, we are energized to be expanding programs, strengthening connections, and investing in systems that support Members and volunteers alike. We’re grateful to step into this next chapter with you. Thank you for your patience, courage, and unwavering belief in belonging.
Here’s to 2026—a year of growth, learning, and community care rooted in justice.
Member Forum
Fri, Jan 23rd, 12:45 - 2:30 PM
Southside A & B
Your voice matters at Maybelle Center! Share updates, ideas, and feedback that shape our community during our Member Forum. This quarter, we’re making it extra special with:
- Blackout Bingo with prizes to kick things off
- Delicious Mexican food from Qdoba
- Time for staff updates, Member feedback, and an open floor for questions & suggestions
- A game of Family Feud to close out with fun!
Come for the food, stay for the conversation.
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.
Have you heard of Urban Gleaners?
They’ve got free fresh food galore: fruits, veggies, and other good eats waiting for you. The best part: no hoops to jump through—no application process, or personal info required. Check for pick-up spots on their website: urbangleaners.org/food-finder
Ongoing Opportunities
Changes to ongoing opportunities:
- Theatre: Theatre will be back in the Spring of 2026!
- Maybelle Center will be closed: all day Thursday, January 1st, 2026, for New Year's Day
- Maybelle Center will be closed: all day on Monday, January 19th, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Ongoing opportunities details:
- Community Room: Monday, 1–3 PM; Tuesdays, Thursdays, 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. (Jan date: 1/13)
- 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.
- 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). (Jan date: 1/22)
- 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 lunch together. (Next meeting date: 1/23)
- Theatre Class: Theatre will back in 2026!