Wendy, Pam, Debra, Meagann, Sabrina, Lynda & Peggy

Stories of Belonging

Belonging looks different for everyone.

We all have stories worth hearing. By reading and listening to the stories of fellow Portlanders, we learn from one another and get a little closer to understanding what belonging really means. Sometimes the answers stay with you.

Here are some of them.

Video

Why the Work is so Important

Hear from Members and program staff on why the work we do every day is so critical
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Young feminine person smiles for camera. They are standing inf ront of a brick wall with small bushes and a thin tree behind them. They wear black-rimmed glasses, a gray lightweight jacket and an orange shirt.

Story

Hear from Marie about volunteering with Maybelle Center

We sat down to talk with Marie to get an insider perspective on what it’s like to visit with members as a volunteer
Read Their Story

Stories

Employees

Meet our Executive Director, Michelle

Michelle Meyer will replace retiring Executive Director, Jon Ulsh next Monday, April 1st. Michelle first joined Maybelle Center as our Development Director in 2018
Read the Story

Members & Residents

Meet Rebecca

Rebecca describes Maybelle Center like you might describe a great date: “Outgoing, fun, adventurous. I like the people.”
Read the Story
Older white man with white and black hair, mustache, and close-cropped beard, in a blue and white striped shirt smiles at camera in front of outside wall of plants

Volunteers

Meet Charlie: Driving Lyft to volunteering

Conversations with Maybelle Center employees while driving for Lyft had such a profound impact on Charlie that he was inspired to volunteer
Read the Story
Young feminine person smiles for camera. They are standing inf ront of a brick wall with small bushes and a thin tree behind them. They wear black-rimmed glasses, a gray lightweight jacket and an orange shirt.

Featured, Volunteers

Hear from Marie about volunteering with Maybelle Center

We sat down to talk with Marie to get an insider perspective on what it’s like to visit with members as a volunteer
Read the Story

Members & Residents

Meet Rosie & Clyde

A Member’s compassionate act sparks a relationship that impacts lives even beyond death
Read the Story

Members & Residents

Having a Story Worth Telling

Two of our Members, Sassan and JC, read original pieces written in a class offered in partnership with Write Around Portland. The prompt was: “I feel seen when…”
Read the Story

Members & Residents

Peggy on what it’s like to need assisted living

Most of us will need assistance as we age and manage health challenges. What does that transition look and feel like when it seems so sudden?
Read the Story

Members & Residents

Meet Janie

Rebuilding her life in a new city on her own, music was her lifeline to connection and friendship
Read the Story
Two adults stand in the grass singing, on the left a white presenting man has black pants and tye-dye t-shirt, clapping his hands together. On the right, a white presenting woman stands, playing a guitar and looking at a music stand in front of her.

Members & Residents

Meet Av

Av shares the significance of having a “Community Living Room” like Maybelle Center, where meaningful, everyday connection has space to grow.
Read the Story
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A white presenting woman with dark glasses and buzz-cut hair sits holding a small dog and looking admiringly at the dog who is resting on one of her legs while their front paws are on her chest, their closes almost face to face

Employees

Meet Nina

Behavioral Support Specialist Nina (and her ten-pound sidekick, Stevie Lix) help Residents at Macdonald Residence find stability and calm long before crisis hits. From easing transitions out of houselessness to supporting folks living with trauma, mental health, or substance use challenges, Nina’s work helps make Macdonald Residence more than an assisted living facility—it’s a place where belonging can grow.
Read the Story
Two adults stand in the grass singing, on the left a white presenting man has black pants and tye-dye t-shirt, clapping his hands together. On the right, a white presenting woman stands, playing a guitar and looking at a music stand in front of her.

Members & Residents

Meet Av

Av shares the significance of having a “Community Living Room” like Maybelle Center, where meaningful, everyday connection has space to grow.
Read the Story
A man, wearing all black and an apron, and a woman, wearing chef's whites, stand side by side smiling at the camera next to a white board listing the day's meal specials.

Employees, Members & Residents

Meet Nikki

Nikki and her Nutritional Services Team have far more than meals on the menu at Macdonald Residence Assisted Living (MacRes). They are serving up dignity. Every part of Maybelle Center’s work is rooted in person-centered care, personal autonomy, and connection. Even the way we eat.
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Videos

Diann & Jackie: How friendship fueled health

The story of Diann and Jackie’s friendship and how it has fueled a sense of belonging and health through assisted living at the Macdonald Residence and Maybelle Center.

Hidden in Plain Sight

Maybelle Center’s work can sometimes be hidden in plain sight. That is, until you start looking for it…

Peggy on her Participation in the Mosaic Project

An interview with Peggy, mosaic artist and Maybelle Member, about her participation in the 2021 Mosaic for Community project

Member-Lead Listening Post Project

Maybelle Center Members share the genesis of their community events to build community with other members during the pandemic

Mosaic Member Feature: Babs

An interview with Babs, mosaic artist and Maybelle Member, about why participating in the Mosaic Project was so meaningful

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How it All Started

Interview with our Co-founders and Maybelle Center Member Jacob on how Maybelle Center started and how the pandemic amplified the need

Health Changes, Belonging Remains

This video follows the story of Stanley, a Maybelle Center Member, as it becomes evident that he needs daily living assistance.

Maybelle Center: Our WHY

Find out how we promote social health by helping create a sense of belonging with adults facing the stigmas of mental health and financial poverty

What Maybelle Means to Me

An interview with Maybelle Center member Jackie on the impact of community and connection in her life
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Member-Lead Listening Post Project

Maybelle Center Members share the genesis of their community events to build community with other members during the pandemic

Diann & Jackie: How friendship fueled health

The story of Diann and Jackie’s friendship and how it has fueled a sense of belonging and health through assisted living at the Macdonald Residence and Maybelle Center.

An Unexpected Friendship

How the heartwarming friendship of Rose and Clyde started in the most unexpected way
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Who is a Member?

In some circles, the word “membership” equates to exclusivity. Here, it’s about inviting people in. We create welcoming spaces that prioritize neighbors facing mental illness or financial stigmas but serve all Portlanders in meeting their need to belong. If you don’t meet the criteria below, let’s talk about the best way to plug in. It’s going to take all of us to build a Portland where everyone belongs!

Members at Maybelle Center:

Have a desire to connect with others

Are willing to sign our relationship agreement

Identify as low-income

Are currently housed

Are 18 years or older

Live in the downtown Portland area or can access the Center on 6th and Couch in Old Town

Is Maybelle Center For You?

Wildwood Outing

Donate

We’re on a mission to build a Portland where everyone belongs. And we need your help. With Maybelle Center, you’ll be joining forces with a community health organization with proven success in bridging gaps in social health with neighbors facing stigmas from mental illness or financial poverty. Your gift today will help build the scaffolding—gathering spaces, highly-trained staff, housing, and engaging programming—where profound belonging can bloom.

Give Today

Your monetary contribution to Maybelle Center directly funds our operations and ensures the accessibility to belonging for every Member and Resident. Can you give today?

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