Letter from our Executive Director (ED)
Services and reopening
Interview with our member, Janie
Member-lead project
Financials
Michelle Meyer, Executive Director
Maybelle Center for Community
When gathering people together and sparking relationships is the core of what you do, the pandemic and social distancing is truly a curveball.
This March, we transitioned many of our services to a virtual format or connected via phone while temporarily halting in-person gatherings to comply with the Governor’s mandate. Despite our new technology-loaner program, barriers to technology still exist for many members. And compliance with public-health guidelines for an organization like ours remains challenging, with ambiguous and continually evolving standards.
But amid so much uncertainty, relationships are the one thing that truly brings us together (even if remotely), inspires joy, and allows us to create change.
We all long to feel cared for, loved, and valued. And yet many of our members experience marginalization by society. It’s hard not to internalize these messages when you hear them frequently – and the feelings of exclusion or devaluation can become a barrier to relationships.
Because of you, there’s someone at Maybelle Center every day, actively reflecting our members’ strengths and reminding them that we all have the capacity to do great things. Each of us has something remarkable to share with others in friendship - and strengths, skills, and talents to contribute to a vibrant Portland.
We can’t wait to share “hellos” and high-fives in-person again – and hopefully, it won’t be long! Our office renovation should be complete by early December, and we’re currently putting together a plan for the safe return of members and essential staff. Stay tuned for more info.
Your support reminds me – and all of our members – that every one of us has the ability to do great things. And your investment is growing the kind of relationships that can make real change happen.
"Occasionally we hear comments like, 'Why would someone want to be friends with me? I don’t have anything to offer.' It’s heartbreaking and simply not true."
- Michelle Meyer, Executive Director
Thanks to you, and a lifetime love of singing, Janie found “another family” with our choir in 2019, after moving cross-country with just two suitcases.
During COVID, Janie keeps connected by sharing her colorful personality and sense of humor during virtual choir and weekly calls with a cherished friend she met at her first choir practice.
When I moved into my apartment, I didn’t really talk to too many people. I met a Maybelle Center volunteer who said, “Did you know Maybelle Center had a choir?”
When I came to choir the first time, I was scared for a little bit. But everybody introduced themselves and made me feel really comfortable. That same day, I got connected to Jackie [a fellow choir member], and we started talking. Jackie and I now talk every Wednesday to keep in touch with each other. Jackie also helped me use Zoom, so I could go to remote choir practice...
During the pandemic, the Maybelle Community Singers resumed practices virtually and worked towards a virtual “performance” by blending recording from each choir member into a unified sound.
Listen to our choir sing “Everybody” by Ingrid Michaelson:
We run on lean budgets, sweat and laughter (sometimes tears). So your dollar goes farther and more of us feel the warmth of connection.
“My hope is that their project becomes a source of inspiration for you and motivates us all toward a future where everyone feels connected and like they matter, whether it’s in the Maybelle Center community or your neighborhood.”
Michelle Meyer, Executive Director
