Max Higbee Center

Max Higbee Center Local non-profit providing recreational services to teens and adults with developmental disabilities

Our Mission:
We provide community-based recreation programs for youth and adults (14 and older) with developmental disabilities with three broad aims:
1) To provide opportunities for personal enjoyment and enrichment through a diverse range of leisure activities.
2) To promote the social, physical, emotional, and cognitive growth and development of participants.
3) To

assist participants to achieve greater independence in their lives and increase involvement in the community. 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. 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. A Brief History:
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 and was then renamed in honor of its founder.

05/18/2026

DJ playtime at the The Guitar Center!

05/11/2026

Fantastical features of today's D&D campaign with Doug include:
🍩Surviving a donut monster with a sprinkle canon
🦇Flying on a giant bat
🦑Fighting a spicy calamari squid
🍞Battling a cinnamon toast crunch army
🐤Rescuing a golden chicken

Another epic Dungeons and Dragons campaign with Doug!
05/11/2026

Another epic Dungeons and Dragons campaign with Doug!

05/09/2026

Mother's Day Flower Bouquet Cards 💐💕

Remember that fundraiser from a few months ago? IT’S HAPPENING!!!For the last two years, an MHC mentee and mentor duo, N...
04/24/2026

Remember that fundraiser from a few months ago? IT’S HAPPENING!!!

For the last two years, an MHC mentee and mentor duo, Nicole and Serafina, have been writing and illustrating a book that will be officially published THIS MAY! If you would like to celebrate the release of Little Wolf, you are formally invited to join us for their authors’ event on May 31st at Village Books in Fairhaven. Please feel welcome to learn more and reserve a seat by scanning the QR code in the image below or by visiting the “Events” section on Village Books’ website. Thank you for your support and making this happen! We hope to see you there! 🎉📚🕺

Making buttons for the Max Higbee Center Info Table  !! Stop by and you can choose a one-of-a-kind button design hot off...
04/07/2026

Making buttons for the Max Higbee Center Info Table !! Stop by and you can choose a one-of-a-kind button design hot off the press! 😊

MHC members, volunteers and staff will be available to chat with you about who we are and what we do. You can also make a donation and learn about becoming a member or a volunteer with us. 💚🧡

04/03/2026

Save the date! Saturday, April 11th, we are donating 15% of all walk-in sales to . We’ll have lots of great stuff to choose from, and if you’re not currently eating sweets we’ve got coffee/tea/sodas, merch, greeting cards, magazine, and more.

The following Saturday is , also benefitting Max Higbee Center, and tickets for that are on sale now!

If you’re not familiar with , they’re a great non-profit organization in town that provides recreation programs for teens and adults with developmental disabilities. 🩷

Guided Painting with Fina -- So many pretty spring blossoms!
04/01/2026

Guided Painting with Fina -- So many pretty spring blossoms!

Save the date and get involved! We hope to celebrate disability pride with you come July 26!
03/16/2026

Save the date and get involved! We hope to celebrate disability pride with you come July 26!

🎉 Vendor Applications Are Now Open!
Be part of something special, vendor applications are now open for the first-ever Inclusion Festival hosted by Whatcom Center for Early Learning!

This free, family-friendly community festival celebrates accessibility, Disability Pride, and the power of inclusive communities. Join us July 26, 2026 at Zuanich Point Park in Bellingham for a day filled with live music, interactive activities, art, food, and community connection.

We’re inviting craft vendors, nonprofits, businesses, food vendors, and disability- led organizations to be part of this inaugural event and share their work with a diverse and engaged community.

We’re proud to be partnering with incredible organizations including the , , , , , , , and many more.

Be part of this amazing, unique community event from the very beginning.

📝 Apply to be a vendor here at https://www.wcel.net/inclusionfestival

Spots are limited! We’d love to have you join us!

SPIN Dance is back at the Bellingham Senior Activity Center!After three years at the Bloedel Donovan Park Community Buil...
02/11/2026

SPIN Dance is back at the Bellingham Senior Activity Center!

After three years at the Bloedel Donovan Park Community Building and Depot Market Square, SPIN Dance has returned to its former long-term location at the Bellingham Senior Activity Center.

SPIN Dance is a free social opportunity for people with disabilities, but everyone 14 years and older is welcome to join this live DJ dance party. Participants of all abilities come together to dance, sing, hang out, meet new people, and cultivate a joyful sense of community where everybody belongs.

Dances are held on the third Monday of each month (except June) from 6-8 p.m. They are sponsored and supported by three agencies: Max Higbee Center, City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation, and Whatcom County Parks and Recreation. Music is provided by DJ Aireekah of Glitt3r Lyfe.

SPIN Dance was started by WWU students in 1973 who were looking to make a positive difference in the disability community. SPIN stands for "Serving People in Need," and while this acronym is no longer used, the name is familiar to generations of SPIN participants. The program was later taken on by the local agencies in the early 1990s.

After decades at the Bellingham Senior Activity Center (BSAC), SPIN Dance was put on pause for two years during COVID. After several years of changing locations seasonally, moving back to the BSAC Central location at 315 Halleck St. will provide ample parking and close proximity to major bus lines and the downtown bus station.

We anticipate the move back to the BSAC will reinvigorate SPIN Dance, making it even more accessible and well-attended than ever.

We invite you to come party with us!

Address

1400 N State Street Suite 101
Bellingham, WA
98225

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