For sons and daughters of Spokane parents, near or far
Looking for Somewhere for Your Mom or Dad in Spokane?
When a parent’s days go quiet, Corbin gives them lunch, a table and people who learn their name. Come together the first time.
Your dad stopped answering by noon. Maybe your mom says she is fine, but the groceries are still in the fridge. Corbin Senior Activity Center, at 827 W Cleveland Ave in Spokane, is somewhere for them to go. Lunch is four days a week for a suggested $5 donation. There are cards, classes and dances, and staff meet newcomers at the door.
What are the signs it’s time?
You know your parent best. These are the quiet signs:
- They eat alone, or not at all. The food you ordered on Sunday is still in the fridge on Friday.
- The TV is on all day. It stopped being a show a while ago. Now it is company.
- The phone goes unanswered. Nothing is wrong, exactly. There is just nothing new to call about.
- You hear the same three stories. Nothing new has happened to tell.
None of these are emergencies. They are what happens when a week has nowhere to go. A place to be, with people who expect you, is part of the fix.
If you are worried about health or safety, start with their doctor. Senior resources in Spokane lists help for that too.
What does a day at Corbin look like for a parent?
Here is a Wednesday. Your mom gets a ride to 827 W Cleveland Ave in the late morning. She checks in at reception and says hello to the people at the desk.
Lunch at Corbin starts at 11:30 to confirm: lunch days and time. It is soup, a salad bar, a hot entree, dessert and drinks. She sits at the same table as last week, and they saved her chair.
After lunch there is pinochle. Or a class, or the pool tables, which are open every weekday. Then a ride home, from you, a neighbor or the bus.
Tonight on the phone, she has something to tell you.
Member quote to come: must answer "My parent will never go" | adult child who brought a parent, with the parent's quote beside it
How do I bring them the first time?
Come together. A parent who will not go alone may go with you.
- Call Ada first. Call (509) 327-1584 and ask for Ada Anderson, the membership coordinator. Tell Ada what your parent used to love, what worries you, and whether stairs are hard.
- Pick lunch or a Wednesday. Lunch is the easiest first visit. Wednesday is pinochle, if your parent plays cards.
- Tell us you’re coming. Use the visit form, and write anything we should know in the last box.
A name tag waits at the desk. A staff member walks you both to a table, and a table host introduces you around. Your parent meets three people before dessert. We call this The First Lunch.
Stay the whole time, or slip out once they are settled. Live out of town? Plan it for your next trip home, or ask a neighbor or old friend to come in your place.
Can I stay in the loop from out of town?
- Read The Communicator. The monthly newsletter lists the calendar, the lunch menu and tour dates. Get it by email, and you will know what to ask about. "How was the Monday Night Dance?" beats "Did you get out today?"
- Call reception. Call (509) 327-1584 and ask what is on this week. The front desk can tell you about classes, lunch and the next day tour. Staff names are on the contact page.
- What staff notice. Corbin has five staff, not fifty, so they learn names. What they will and will not share with family is to confirm: what staff will and will not share.
Staff run activities. They are not caregivers or nurses, and Corbin does not supervise members.
What does it cost, and is there help?
- Lunch: a suggested $5 donation. Nobody is turned away. Your parent does not need to join to eat lunch to confirm: lunch open to non-members.
- Membership: to confirm: $35 individual / $60 couple, or $30 / $44 a year. Your parent can come once as a guest before anyone pays.
- Help with dues: ask Ada Anderson about a hardship waiver to confirm: hardship waiver.
- Paying from out of town: you can give a membership as a gift. See the last question below.
Why so little? Corbin is a nonprofit. The City pays $31,500 a year, the same as in 2013. It costs $45,000 a month to run (Spokane Journal of Business, Nov 2025). Tours, events, rentals and the people in the room make up the rest, which is why lunch is a suggested $5 donation. You can read what a membership includes.
What Corbin is not
Corbin is a place to go, not a place to be looked after. Corbin is not:
- Day care. Members come and go on their own.
- Medical care. Staff are not medical staff, and they do not manage medications. In an emergency, they call 911.
- Assisted living. Nobody lives here.
If your parent needs any of these, senior resources in Spokane lists who to call. Or call reception at (509) 327-1584, and staff will point you to the right place.
New to Corbin? Start with the guide.
The Newcomer’s Guide to Corbin has this month’s calendar, the lunch menu, a map with parking and bus stops, and who to ask for at the desk.
Frequently asked questions
What if my parent refuses to go?
Do not call it a senior center visit. Call it lunch with you. Lead with one thing they used to love, like cards or dancing. If they say "I’m not a senior center person," tell them members here range from 30 to 100.
My parent uses a walker or wheelchair. Can they get around?
Corbin is a former church, so ask before you come. Here is what the building has: to confirm: ramp, elevator, accessible restrooms, step-free rooms and hearing loop. Call (509) 327-1584. The front desk will tell you the easiest door to use.
My parent has memory problems. Is Corbin right for them?
Corbin is a social center, not memory care. Staff do not supervise members, and they are not medical staff. If your parent can come and go safely, alone or with you, Corbin can be a good fit. If they need supervision, start with their doctor and the memory care listings in senior resources in Spokane.
How will my parent get there?
Spokane Transit Authority (STA) buses run on Monroe, just east of Corbin to confirm: STA route numbers and nearest stop. Family or a friend can drop them at the front door to confirm: door drop-off spot. For a first visit, ask the front desk about ride help to confirm: ride help. Senior resources in Spokane lists other rides.
Can Corbin handle my parent’s dietary needs?
Lunch is soup, a salad bar, a hot entree, dessert and drinks. For allergies or a special diet, here is what the kitchen can do: to confirm: can the kitchen handle special diets and allergies. Write it in the "Anything we should know?" box on the visit form.
I live out of state. Can I pay for my parent’s membership?
Yes to confirm: gift memberships by phone or online. Call (509) 327-1584 and ask for Ada Anderson. Pair it with The First Lunch, so your parent tries Corbin before you pay.
Ready to plan it together?
Pick lunch or a Wednesday. Call Ada, or fill out the form. Your parent gets a name tag, a table and three names before dessert.
Free first visit - come together - call (509) 327-1584 and ask for Ada Anderson
Global blocks on this page, from 00-global.md, not rewritten here: Announcement bar, Header navigation, Mobile call bar, Newcomer’s Guide signup block (after What Corbin is not), Footer.