Neighborhood Programs
A place where you are known
At Maybelle Center, you don’t have to explain your story or justify your presence. You just have to show up. And behind every class, group, and gathering is an evidence-based model designed to make sure that when you do, you find real, lasting connection.
Our programs extend beyond our walls through 35+ partnerships with affordable housing communities across downtown Portland, bringing these opportunities directly to Members where they live.
Wherever you are, your membership comes with you. It doesn’t expire, and housing changes or life circumstances will never push you out. Because belonging, once built, should last.
How it Works
At Maybelle Center, belonging comes first. Our programs are built around the Belonging Barometer, which measures whether people truly feel connected, safe, and valued. The result: 65% of Members report feeling true belonging at Maybelle Center.
And because agency and the right to co-create are pillars of true belonging, Members don’t just participate in programs – they help shape them. From quarterly Member Forums to leading programming, Members have a real voice in what we offer and how we grow.
Most activities take place on the corner of 6th and Couch in Old Town. If getting there is a challenge, social visits can be arranged at a more convenient location, and we’re open to bringing programs to the buildings where Members live.
Our Programming
We offer programming offered at no cost that brings people together through shared experiences, including:
Dev & Anne
The Community Room
Four days a week, the Community Room in Old Town opens its doors for Members and volunteers to gather over coffee, karaoke, bingo, movie screenings, and monthly birthday celebrations for every Member. It’s become a true anchor for the neighborhood.
Arts Programming
From choir and theater to painting, poetry, and collaborative storytelling, arts programming at Maybelle Center offers creative outlets for all skill levels. Classes, outings, and community projects bring people together around shared passions, where belonging is always the goal.
Choir practice
Av & Diane
Social Groups
Social groups bring Members together around shared experiences and identities. Heart Circles offer a structured space for deeper connection, while rotating groups explore current events, walking, meditation, grief support, and more.
Weekly Visits
Social Visits have been a cornerstone of our work for over 30 years and a proven way to break the cycle of social isolation. Over time, Members build genuine relationships with a pair of students or volunteers. They meet in a location the Member chooses: their home, a public space, by phone, or online. Some visits are casual catchups. Others go deeper. The goal is always the same: a space where everyone feels deeply heard, known, and understood.
Student volunteers visit with Jennifer
Patty, Ryan & Amy
Group Outings
Throughout the year, Members enjoy picnics, movie outings, neighborhood walks, and holiday gatherings. And every summer, we make our beloved trip to Wildwood at Mt. Hood, a tradition that brings everyone together for a day of fresh air and togetherness.
Resource Navigation
For adults navigating mental health challenges and financial hardship, barriers to healthcare, housing, and basic resources are rarely straightforward. That’s why we have one staff member whose whole role is to sit with Members, navigate resources, and advocate on their behalf as a neighbor, not a caseworker.
Sassan
Jackie & Sule
Collaborative Leadership and Decision-Making
Members can choose how deeply they want to be involved, from dipping in and out of activities to co-leading programs alongside staff. The Quarterly Member Forums give Members a formal voice in shaping what Maybelle Center offers and how it grows.
Who is a Member?
We create welcoming spaces for all neighbors who need to belong, with a focus on low-income Portlanders facing mental health challenges or financial hardship. If you don’t meet the criteria below, let’s talk about the best way to get involved.
Members at Maybelle Center:
Are 18 years or older
Want to connect with others
Identify as low-income
Are currently housed
Live in the downtown Portland area or can easily access the Center in Old Town
Commit to treating others with kindness and respect
Get Involved
Whether you’re looking for community or want to help build it, there’s a place for you here.