Resources for Students and Families
McKinney-Vento Liaison/Student Support Specialist
The Homeless Support Program serves students experiencing homelessness enrolled in Whatcom Intergenerational High School. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that guarantees all children and youth the right to an equal education regardless of their living situation. Protection under the McKinney-Vento Act extends to those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. If you believe you may qualify under the definition below, please contact Julie.
Support Services for Youth & Families
Children who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence qualify for McKinney-Vento (homeless) services. This includes:
Sharing the housing of others due to economic hardship (doubled up/couch surfing)
Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, and camping grounds due to inadequate alternative accommodations.
Living in emergency or transitional shelters
This includes working with a housing case manager through community agencies like Opportunity Council or Lydia Place
Living in a public or private place not designated for humans to live
Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations
Migratory children living in the above circumstances
Unaccompanied youth (not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian)
Julie Whited
Operations Manager, McKinney-Vento Liaison
Julie.whited@intergenerational.school
(360)543-8289
-
DSHS (Department of Social and Health Services)
Address: 4101 Meridian Street, Bellingham
Hours: Monday - Friday 8am to 5pm Walk-in Services: 8am-3pm
Phone: (877) 501-2233; or apply for services online
Services:
Aged, Blind or Disabled Cash Assistance Program (ABD)
Child Support Services
Emergency Programs
Family Planning Services
Housing and Essential Needs
Medical Assistance Programs
Voter Registration Assistance
-
Opportunity Council
Address: 1111 Cornwall Avenue, Suite C, Bellingham
Hours: Monday- Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Walk-In Hours: Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phone: (360) 734-5121 ext. 370 or 1-800-649-5121
Services:
Intake and screenings for housing programs, emergency shelters, and landlord/tenant information
Assistance accessing community services and providing basic needs
Referrals to other community resources
-
Address: 2401 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham (located in basement of First Congregational Church of Bellingham)
Phone: 360-734-3720
Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday-Friday
A day-use center for individuals 13-24 and are at risk of homelessness or currently experiencing homelessness.
Services:
Food, showers, laundry, computer access, mail service, basic needs, survival resources, and rooms to rest in
Emergency, transitional and permanent housing and support
Job and education support
Mental health and substance use counseling
LGBTQ+ affirming services and programs
Connections to other services
-
The Way Station Health & Hygiene Center offers hygiene services, walk-in medical, behavioral health & substance use disorder (SUD) counseling and case management services to people experiencing homelessness. Hours for individual services are as follows: Hygiene Services: Monday-Friday 7am-3pm Last call showers: 1:30pm Last call laundry: 1:00pm Last call restrooms: 3:00pm Walk-in Medical Care: Tuesday-Friday 8am-12pm Behavioral Health and SUD Counseling: Monday-Friday 8am-3pm Case Management Services: Monday-Friday 7am-3pm"
https://unitycarenw.org/the-way-station/
1500 N State Street
Bellingham, WA 98225phone: (360) 676-6177
Hours:
7:00 M-3:00 PM -
No matter what their circumstances, every person deserves to feel safe, supported and heard. When we talk about individuals affected by domestic violence or sexual assault, we’re talking about every one of us. Whether it’s you, a loved one, a co-worker or a friend, someone you know needs help. DVSAS is here to help.
Our Mission
The mission of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services is to support individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation and to lead the community towards ending these abuses of power.
24 Hour Helpline: 360.715.1563
Administrative Line: 360.671.5714
Fax Line: 360.647.6015
General Email:info@dvsas.org (please note this email is only checked during business hours)
Mailing Address: 1407 Commercial St. Bellingham, WA 98225
-
Our Mission is to improve the quality of life, increase the independence and assure the full inclusion in the community of all persons with developmental disabilities.
The Arc of Whatcom County
Dan Godwin Community Center
2602 McLeod Rd
Bellingham, WA 98225-1368Phone: (360) 715-0170
Fax: (360) 715-8522
Email: admin@arcwhatcom.org
-
We envision a thriving community where everyone is supported and valued, and their basic needs are met.
The Community Resource Center is located in the City Hall Annex at 5694 Second Avenue in Ferndale Washington. Our entrance is on the north side of the building (closest to the railroad tracks) next to the blue clothing donation bin.
Hours: Monday- Thursday 9 am- 5 pm
The center is managed by friendly staff and volunteers who can help community members access services. Services provided onsite include clothing and household items, hygiene supplies (Other Bank), transportation assistance, shower and laundry referrals, help with City of Ferndale water and sewer bills (Utility Fund), computer and phone use, housing and job search, community resource navigation and referrals, and more!
Come and visit us! Shop, donate, or get assistance for your basic needs.
Contact Us
360-380-2200
-
The Whatcom Resource Information Collaborative (WRIC) is a coalition of organizations pursuing the shared objective of reliable, openly-accessible information about resources available to Whatcom residents in need. WRIC is the governing body overseeing WhatcomResources.org, a free and open source tool for linking Whatcom county residents with social services.
On WhatcomResources.org, you will find a variety of organizations serving Whatcom County residents. These include nonprofits, government agencies, self-help support groups, mutual aid groups, advocacy organizations, and for-profit providers offering free or affordable services to the community. These organizations primarily focus on providing services in health, social, educational, and human service areas.
-
Our mission is to strengthen community health and resilience by providing comprehensive support to children and their families. Our vision is a thriving community where no child suffers.
These statements reflect our unwavering dedication to preventing child abuse, supporting families, and fostering a community where every child can flourish.
Whatcom County
1231 N. Garden St #200
Bellingham, WA 98225
ph: (360) 734-4616
tty: (360) 734-4616
fax: (360) 734-1763
contact@brigidcollins.org -
We recognize that housing is only one facet of long-term healing for our families that have faced years of homelessness and complex traumas. Lydia Place provides wraparound support services that focus on holistic care and prevention strategies, targeted at further reducing risks of re-entering homelessness and improving childhood outcomes while actively responding to the tangible needs of today. As such, all families that are in our housing programs have access to parenting support and clinical mental health care.
In Bellingham, the majority of housing providers, including Lydia Place, collaborate with the Coordinated Entry waitlist managed by the Opportunity Council. This ensures that individuals seeking housing resources only need to apply at one centralized location.
By participating in this process, Lydia Place fills all of our program spots exclusively with referrals from the Opportunity Council. This means that by joining their waitlist, you are also on Lydia Place’s waitlist.
How to Join the Coordinated Entry Waitlist:
The Opportunity Council accepts both walk-in and call-in appointments for the waitlist.
Operating Hours:Monday to Thursday: 9am – 4pm
Friday: 9am – 12pm
Contact:
Phone: 360-734-5121 (Choose the option for the Community Resource Center)
Address: 1111 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham