Get a glimpse of what it looks like to have deep relationships with members. We invite you to journey with Daniel. Since we don’t put time-limits on our relationships, our relationships with members like Daniel continue to grow over multiple years, allowing us to support members as they navigate complex and intersecting challenges. Daniel is a regular in our Community Room. He often visits after selling Street Roots newspapers outside of Pearl Bakery. Daniel also participates in our Education Program. Each term, he regularly opens his home and life to nursing students – giving insight into the complex health issues related to poverty. In the fall of 2017, Daniel sought assistance from Support Services when his housing situation was threatened. We supported him as he found new housing, including helping to locate a building that had an elevator so he could finally have his hernia surgery – something that couldn’t be accommodated at his old building. And when Daniel had to make some drastic health changes before receiving surgery, we walked with him through the process. After surgery, students and staff continued to visit Daniel as he recovered. Originally published in our 2018 Annual Report.

When we say we have a relationship with 611 members and 110 residents, these numbers represent tens, and sometimes, even hundreds, of interactions with a person. Some non-profits are built for scaling wide – like disaster relief organizations or even shelters, where the impact is clearly defined and short-term. And certainly, there are cultural norms that push organizations towards scaling wide! But as an organization focused on relationships and connection, we have a responsibility to lead the way in modeling healthy relationships. And meaningful relationships take time. We’re committed for the long-term – that means instead of skipping over challenges, we go deep into exploring them. These interactions can often be lengthy – a half-hour appointment with Support Services to discuss a housing issue, attending an hour-long support group, or an all-day visit to our Community Room. It means we slow down our conversations with members and really listen. Instead of immediately giving advice, we ask, “what do you think or feel?” 2018 Service Numbers Community Room Our Community Room is a safe space to gather. You’ll see members connecting over coffee to share laughter, songs, ideas, and perspectives. # of members: 203 # of interactions: 10,976 Member Visits Pairs…

IT’S OFFICIAL! Michelle Meyer is the Center’s 4th Executive Director. Michelle’s collaborative approach will be integral as we re-imagine how Maybelle Center can help shape a healthier Portland for all of us. 1. What do you think will be the biggest challenge you’ll face in the first 365 days as Executive Director (ED)? “I think an important and key resource at a small organization like Maybelle Center is the people who work here. When a staff member leaves, it can really affect the organization. We’re rolling through a lot of transition right now. Many of our key staff have been here for less than a year — some that are brand new, including our new Development Director who was hired to backfill my position. It’s really mission-critical work to invest in staff, reduce attrition, and to soften the bumps when it does occur. Our staff has strong relationships with members, with volunteers, and with each other, so employee transitions affect our entire community.  We need to improve employee tenure by taking deliberate steps to reduce burnout, to make sure everyone feels supported, and to encourage employee growth wherever we can. I want everyone to love working here as much as…

Michelle Meyer will replace retiring Executive Director, Jon Ulsh next Monday, April 1st. Michelle first joined Maybelle Center as our Development Director in 2018. Q: Why are you excited to be Executive Director?  “Early in my career, I chose to only work at nonprofits where I could deeply engage. And Maybelle Center shares values that are important to me. Values like mutual respect, working collaboratively, and having unconditional positive regard for one another at all levels of an organization. “I believe in the mission of Maybelle Center, and I’m surrounded by wonderful people who are working equally as hard towards the same goal.” Q: What about Maybelle Center attracted you?  “I was drawn to Maybelle Center because it’s a place where we promote something more than just a ‘thing,’ like music or the arts. It’s about engaging with one another and working together in community.  “When I worked at SOLVE, we organized environmental and beach cleanups that preserved Oregon. But it was the community-building that was more important. And I definitely see that at Maybelle Center. “It’s not just about the service we’re providing. It’s about the deeper, more holistic approach of living together and engaging with one another on a…

The gift of a warm coat kindles a rich friendship and introduces Clyde to a new “family” at Maybelle Center. As the relationship morphs, Spiritual Support walks alongside members to ensure Clyde’s friendship will continue to bring joy to our community. “This is my family,” exclaimed Clyde as he gestured around the Community Room filled with members and staff. Clyde smiled warmly, his eyes always inexplicably inviting. Clyde freely gave his presence as a gift, forgoing any mask or pretense. “Those eyes… you could not look at Clyde’s eyes and not listen to his heart,” reflects Mary Ann, a volunteer who provides spiritual support here at Maybelle Center. We met this beloved member of our community in an unlikely way. Rosie, a resident at MacWest (our affordable apartments), first met Clyde as he huddled on the cold brick outside of her building. “Andre,” Rosie paused as she looked at her husband. “Could we give the man outside our building one of your coats?” Andre handed his wife a coat and Rosie ran it downstairs to Clyde. It wasn’t much later before Rosie asked Andre, “Could we just bring him into our home?” “So they just invited him in,” smiles Mary…

We caught up with Mary Ann Farley, SNJM as she was preparing for the memorial of our member, Clyde. Mary Ann is a longtime visitation volunteer and assists our Spiritual Support Coordinator with memorials. Q: What’s it like to walk next to a member in their last days? “I find it a really holy journey and one I feel privileged to be on with anybody. There is a flow of life, even in the face of death.” Q: What’s your relationship with the deceased’s friends and family during this time? “You get pretty connected when you journey with somebody whose loved one is dying. You’re way more important in their life than you otherwise would be. Sometimes people see me as a connection to their deceased loved one as we plan the memorial service together.” Q: Do you have one piece of advice you’d give to someone facing the death of a loved one? “Sometimes when people are grieving they tell me, ‘I try not to cry.’ And I reply, ‘They’re worth every tear. Only strong people are willing to cry. Weak people won’t let the walls down.’” Q: What do you find especially hard about this type of work?…

Michelle Meyer will succeed retiring Executive Director, Jon Ulsh, on April 1st, after a carefully planned transition period. Jon’s caring leadership leaves Maybelle Center a thriving organization ready for the future. His genuine personal connections with members, staff, donors, and volunteers will be a long remembered part of his legacy.

“Volunteering in a privilege,” asserts Crystal, our Spiritual Support Coordinator. Throughout their lives, many of our members have heard a subtle and pervasive message that they don’t have anything to offer; that they’ll always be takers. Yet, our members know deep inside they have something valuable to share. What if we could change the conversation from what you can’t do because of a physical or mental ability to brainstorming how to creatively-utilize your talents? For the last year, we’ve been growing our capacity to accommodate our members’ unique skills and gifts. And despite daily challenges, over 100 of our members are actively making our community a better place through volunteering. Over 25 members welcomed student nurses into their homes and helped educate our future health professionals regarding complex health challenges related to poverty. Babs led a class on recovery this spring. Jackie, Brayden, and Gary volunteer as Building Ambassadors, advocating against social isolation and referring residents who may benefit from Maybelle Center services. Di started a calligraphy class. Doug, wanting to give back to the Maybelle Center community after his death, has listed Maybelle Center as a 25% beneficiary of his life insurance plan. Wendy wrote an argument for a ballot…

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: