Who We Are
Our Mission
Max Higbee Center (MHC) is a non-profit organization that provides community-based recreation programs for youth and adults with developmental disabilities in Bellingham, Washington. MHC’s mission has four broad aims:
To provide opportunities for personal enjoyment and enrichment through a diverse range of leisure activities.
To promote the social, physical, emotional, and cognitive growth and development of participants
To assist participants to achieve greater independence in their lives and increased involvement in the community.
To promote and embody justice, diversity, inclusion, and equity in our organization and within our community.
Our Vision
The Max Higbee Center envisions a caring, inclusive, respectful, and thriving community where people are empowered to grow, develop, and enrich their lives through recreation activities and the relationships they create.
Our Values
The Max Higbee Center values a fun, safe, welcoming, and people-first community dedicated to creating friendships and offering opportunities for all members to reach their greatest potential.
Max Higbee Center is a grassroots organization founded by educators and families of people with developmental disabilities who wanted quality recreation opportunities in Whatcom County. Max Higbee, a professor at Western Washington University, spearheaded this movement. The Drop-In Center gained status as a non-profit organization in 1984; renamed in honor of its founder after his passing in 1991.Our History
What We Do
In-Person Weekday Program | Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 9:30am to 5:30pm, Wednesday 9:30am to 1:00pm
During weekday programs, staff and volunteers support member engagement in a variety of activities as well as lead participants on a wide range of community excursions. This program aims to improve participants' access and engagement in the community and to support participants in achieving greater independence through practicing life skills. Programs include YMCA workouts, cooking classes, hikes, sports, library visits, art projects and much more. Each day has a scheduled primary activity led by Recreation Leaders, but participants are encouraged to engage in the way that best supports their needs and interests. Alternative activities are always provided and include board games, painting, books, etc. We are always looking to expand our offered activities, so if you have an idea please send it our way!
Our oldest program, the weekend program is an opportunity for folks to have a fun weekend with friends while having a night on the town! Members can participate in First Friday downtown activities, help host our own First Friday Silent Disco party at the center, go for evening strolls, play in-house games, or just hang out with friends! Staff and volunteers are on-hand to facilitate the fun. SPIN Dance | 3rd Monday of each month, 6:00pm to 8:00pm FREE and open to the public, 14 and up, all abilities welcome. This community offering is co-hosted with Bellingham Parks and Recreation at the Bloedel Donovan Community Building or Depot Market Square. First Friday Silent Disco Party | 1st Friday of each month, 6:00pm to 8:00pm FREE and open to the public, all ages and all abilities welcome. This community offering is in collaboration with the Bellingham Downtown Partnership and hosted at Max Higbee Center.In-Person Weekend Program | Friday and Saturday, 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Higbee Hikers | Saturdays, between 11:00am and 3:00pm
In this seasonal group program, offered weather depending, we explore our beautiful local trails! Pre-registered groups meet up at MHC or a designated trail location and use walking or bus routes to access the various trails in Whatcom County including Lake Padden Trails, the Interurban Trail, Stimpson Reserve and more. The program incorporates outdoor skills such as environmental stewardship, map reading and navigation, plant identification, healthy hiking snacks, and trail games.
Details
| (360) 398-6650 | |
| dana@maxhigbeecenter.org | |
| Dana Carr | |
| Community Outreach Coordinator | |
| https://maxhigbeecenter.org/ |
