Maybelle Center for Community - Social Engagement Support Services

Group	Community And Other Support Services
Category	Social Engagement Support Services
Name	Maybelle Center for Community
Provider	Maybelle Center for Community

Description

The Maybelle Center for Community creates community for people in the neighborhood struggling with addictions, mental illness, poverty, isolation and other issues through their support services and community space where members can gather during the day. Many of Maybelle’s members live in low-income buildings throughout Old Town and Downtown Portland. Most experience poverty and are at-risk for social isolation, intensified by mental or physical challenges, addiction, or trauma. Each year over 500 individuals are part of the Maybelle community.

Members who join the center (by coming to three events) can participate in pop-up classes, choir, movie days, yoga and meditation classes, monthly birthday parties, spiritual support groups, art classes, the women’s walking group, and other activities. Pairs of volunteers visit individuals unable to come to the center. A support services team connects members to needed services. Students from six different nursing programs visit with Maybelle members. Volunteer and community service opportunities also available at the center. https://www.maybellecenter.org/join/

Two separate residences are attached to the Maybelle Center, the Macdonald Residence that provides assisted living residences for individuals on SSI unable to live independently and Macdonald West that provides affordable studio apartment for anyone with 60% or less of the area median income. https://www.maybellecenter.org/locations/

The Maybelle Community Singers is composed of a full spectrum of people experiencing differing life circumstances. Maybelle Community Singers is all about accepting each other, right where they are, voice and all. The choir builds a sense of inclusiveness and community. The mission of Maybelle Center is to help mitigate the social isolation and loneliness that is the unseen, often devastating cost of extreme poverty – an isolation intensified by mental or physical challenges, addiction or trauma. Their choir director has extensive experience building music programs with underserved groups in Portland. In May 2018, the Maybelle Community Singers performed with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra at Portland’s Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall as part of the Symphony’s series, “Sounds of Home.” Maybelle

Community Singers practice each Monday from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. No experience is necessary. They are currently holding hybrid choir practices so participants can attend in-person or virtually via Zoom. https://www.maybellecenter.org/choir/

Facilities

Maybelle Center for Community Office

Contacts

Contact: Office Phone: (503) 222-5720