Photos from our 2023 Maybelle Center Family Reunion, our annual celebration and fundraiser

Photos from our 2022 Maybelle Center Family Reunion, our annual celebration and fundraiser

It was wonderful to connect with so many of you last night! Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us at our first virtual Hope in the Heart of Portland. Highlights of our evening! Jackie, Jacqueline, Brayden, and Wendy – thank you for loving our community. And for all your dedication, talent, and skill you’ve contributed to creating outdoor “listening post” events for members. You are truly an inspiration for us all! It’s a powerful reminder of how beautiful our community can be when all of us experience a healthy, connected life and can contribute to a thriving Portland.Member-led projectYou’ll want to be sure to watch the recording to hear members Jackie, Jaqueline, and Brayden talk about their “listening post” project in the park (skip to 57:11). Virtual choir performanceDon’t miss updates and “hellos” from Father Berg, Michelle Meyer, and Mary Sue. Plus a virtual performance from Maybelle Community Singers (skip to 1:21:56).Can we ask one favor?Together, we raised over $130,000 to break down the barriers to connection—something we need in 2020 more than ever. We couldn’t do it without you! We’re still shy of our $200,000 goal. Do you know anyone who would enjoy vacationing in a floating home, drinking wine, or who might enjoy learning…

“Every conversation is a gift,” says Calvin Martinez, who co-directed the film.

Photos from our annual fundraising event, Hope in the Heart of Portland, on October 2, 2019

Completely unscripted, totally surprising, and one of the moments we’ll remember from Hope in the Heart of Portland (our annual fundraiser) on Wednesday – it was so incredible, we had to share it! Words seem inadequate to express the joy and hope we witnessed as our member Vince pulled out a folded $20 bill from his pocket and pledged it to the community he loves so much.  After paddles raised during the special appeal from $10,000 to the $100 level, our auctioneer asked if anyone wanted to support Maybelle Center at any other amount. Vince didn’t have a bid number, as he didn’t expect to contribute financially. But that didn’t stop him! Vince held his $20 bill high and waved it to make sure it was seen. Vince’s outpouring of love would be beautiful enough on its own. But a donor, Matt Fedota, was touched by Vince’s gift and immediately threw up his paddle to match it. That set off a ripple of bidders throughout the room, many of whom had already given at another level – all raising their paddles in solidarity with Vince. Many of us were overcome with emotion – a mixture of surprise, hope, and pride. I know I’ve never been so…

Friends, Four days ago, you were part of our biggest Hope in the Heart of Portland celebration in our history. With Jackie’s beautiful story and tearful remarks on the impact of community on her life, it’s a night we will remember forever, and we hope you will too. Several of you asked to experience Jackie’s video again, so here it is: Thank you for sharing in our community last Thursday and for making it so special. You are making an impact in Jackie’s life and almost 500 other lives this year. You helped us raise over $286,500 (surpassing our goal of $250,000!) to banish social isolation and provide a safe place to belong. I’m so glad you came last week. Our community wouldn’t be the same without you! – Jon Ulsh and the team at Maybelle Center P.S. We have a couple cases of 2017 and 2018 Maybelle Center wine still available for $500. If you’d like a case (or an additional one), it’s not too late. The evening through photos:      

You can decipher the code alongside the Oregon Symphony and the Maybelle Community Singers. CRYPT-O-GRAM A puzzle with a short piece of encrypted text Di, Macdonald West Resident and Maybelle Center Calligraphy Instructor, explains the collaborative project she helped spearhead. Break the code to solve the puzzle and reveal the message. Three words are already deciphered to get you started.

Join us tonight for Maybelle Center artist Chris Fromal’s debut art show! July 5, 2018 | 5-7PM Maybelle Center for Community 121 SW Sixth Avenue Portland, OR 97209 First Thursdays in the Pearl has a new gallery! Maybelle Center for Community will be transforming its community room into an art gallery for First Thursday during July and August. Our “gallery” will be open this evening from 5-7PM. Come meet and discuss the work of Maybelle Center artist, Christopher Fromal.  “This means so much to me. It reminds me that I am an artist. That’s important to me. People judge me with my speech and the way I walk. They assume I am a drunk. When I do art here [at Maybelle Center], nobody judges. As a matter of fact, I feel praised. That feels good.” – Maybelle Center artist, Christopher Fromal