November at Pier 360

The Practice of Gratitude

This season invites us to slow down and reflect on what gratitude truly means. While Thanksgiving carries complex histories for Indigenous peoples — stories of both generosity and loss — it also invites us to approach the day with respect, compassion, and a renewed awareness of how we live in relationship with one another.

At Pier 360, gratitude is more than a feeling. It’s a practice — one that deepens connection, honors those who came before us, and reminds us that healing often begins with noticing what sustains us. Gratitude can look like pausing to thank a peer, expressing appreciation for a shared laugh, or simply taking a mindful breath between moments of challenge and growth.

This month, we also honor our veterans — those who have served and those who continue to serve through resilience, compassion, and courage. We recognize that service takes many forms, and we express our gratitude to every person in our community who has carried that call forward into daily life.

As November is also Native American Heritage Month, we hold space to honor Indigenous communities whose wisdom, stewardship, and cultural strength continue to shape this land. Their traditions remind us that gratitude is not just an emotion — it’s a way of being in relationship with the earth, with each other, and with all that sustains life.

We invite you to practice gratitude in gentle ways:

• Notice connection — the people and moments that keep you grounded.

• Honor the land and those who have cared for it before us.

• Share appreciation openly — tell someone how they’ve impacted your journey.

• Reflect with compassion — allow gratitude to soften what has been hard.

  
  

Together, gratitude becomes an act of community care — one that reminds us we are part of something larger, living, and interconnected.

November Activities & Outings

Hike – An enriching outdoor experience that blends movement, mindfulness, and exploration.

• Meet @ Lacamas Round Lake – November 3 @ 1:00 PM

• Meet @ Lacamas Heritage Trail – November 17 @ 1:00 PMTransportation from West provided @ 12:30 PM

Oregon Zoo – November 6 @ 10:00 AM–12:00 PM The zoo provides an opportunity to witness different animals in an environment that focuses on animal welfare, conservation, and rehabilitation. Meet @ Oregon Zoo (4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221) @ 10:00 AM Transportation from West provided @ 9:00 AM

Ice Skating – November 13 @ 2:00 PM–4:00 PM Ice skating provides physical and sensory stimulation that can boost confidence and resilience in adaptability by overcoming the challenge of gliding on ice.Meet @ Mountain View Ice Arena (14313 SE Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98684) @ 2:00 PM Transportation from West provided @ 1:30 PM

OMSI – November 18 @ 9:30 AM–11:30 AM

Come explore Monsters of the Abyss, diving into the history of prehistoric up to modern-day predators of the ocean. Meet @ OMSI @ 9:30 AM Transportation from West provided @ 9:00 AM

Bowling – November 25 @ 3:00 PM Let the good times roll! Meet @ Big Al’s (16615 SE 18th St, Vancouver, WA 98683) @ 3:00 PM Transportation from West @ 2:30 PM

Friday Night Activities – All at the West Center

• Grateful Collage – November 7 @ 6:00–7:00 PMA creative, hands-on method for practicing gratitude — a tangible reminder of the good things in life.

• BINGO – November 14 @ 6:00–7:00 PMWhere luck meets numbers!

• D & D Night – November 20 @ 4:00 PM–6:00 PM Get together at the West Center to develop your character and play Dungeons & Dragons.

• Speaker Meeting – November 21 @ 6:00–7:00 PM

Pier 360 East Center Update

What’s going on? A long-awaited remodel and some exciting additions are on the way! During this time, the East Center will be temporarily closed.

When is it starting and how long? The start date is currently unknown, but the closure will continue through December. Updates will be shared as we receive them.

Transportation & Registration

To ensure space for everyone, please register in person at the West Center for all outings. Transportation is provided from Pier 360 West and will return to Pier 360 West only.

📍 Pier 360 West Center10201 NE Fourth Plain Blvd

Vancouver, WA 98662

📞 360-397-8050

Closing Reflection

May this month remind us that gratitude is a quiet strength — a daily act of noticing, respecting, and connecting. When we practice gratitude with compassion, we strengthen the threads that hold our community together.

“Gratitude, to me, is ceremony — a way of honoring the life that moves through us and around us. When we give thanks, we remember that healing doesn’t happen alone — it happens together.” — Aiyana S., Peer Leader and member of the Yakama Nation

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