Gifts to United Way support an entire network of nonprofits providing critical services in our community! It takes a variety of groups and strategies to create change. No one agency can do it alone. Because we support such a large network of partners working together to tackle complex issues in Whatcom County, we can make an even greater impact right here at home.
This list may change a bit from year to year based on application requests, community needs, and available resources.
Here are the amazing 23 nonprofits we are currently supporting:
ANIMALS AS NATURAL THERAPY
Animals as Natural Therapy provides a safe and supportive environment where youth, veterans, and seniors can heal from mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and PTSD. Their animal assisted programs help thousands of individuals referred by local school districts, tribes, social service agencies, and assisted-care facilities.
BELLINGHAM CHILDCARE & LEARNING CENTER
Bellingham Childcare & Learning Center provides high quality, affordable childcare to families of all income levels, assisting low-income families to become self sufficient. Their nurturing staff is dedicated to providing affordable care of the highest quality for young children while their parents work or receive training for work.
BELLINGHAM FOOD BANK
Hunger is unacceptable but very real for far too many families in Whatcom County. Since 1972, Bellingham Food Bank has provided free food to Whatcom County residents, offering a free grocery program and home delivery. They also help distribute millions of pounds of food to the Whatcom County Food Bank Network.
BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Family Resource Center helps more than 500 families each year at risk of homelessness, providing a single point of entry to a range of services. The FRC coordinator provides culturally-responsive, bilingual services, helping families achieve housing stability through basic needs support, goal setting, navigation and referrals.
BRIGID COLLINS FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER
With a mission to strengthen community health and resilience by providing comprehensive support to children and their families, Brigid Collins partners with Darkness to Light to provide their Stewards of Children abuse prevention training. Additional services include case management, trauma therapy, and advocacy when abuse does happen.
COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS WHATCOM-SKAGIT
Communities In Schools surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Working directly in several Whatcom County schools, CIS connects kids to caring adults and community resources designed to help them overcome academic and behavioral challenges, leading to fulfilling futures.
DVSAS
DVSAS supports individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual exploitation while leading the community toward ending these abuses of power. In providing services to people escaping abusive relationships, they are helping them and their children break the cycle of violence and reduce the likelihood of future abuse.
FERNDALE FOOD BANK
The Ferndale Food Bank distributes food and support to community members in need with dignity, respect, and understanding. Shoppers are able to come to the food bank once a week and go home with at least five meals. The Ferndale Food Bank serves over 7,000 people and distributes nearly 1 million pounds of food each year.
FERNDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Family Resource Center’s mission is to ensure all students succeed by removing barriers that can affect learning and connecting families to a wide variety of resources. The Family Resource Center works with students, families, and school-based teams to identify barriers and then connect families with the appropriate supports.
FUTURESNW
FuturesNW supports students who are first-generation, low-income, and BIPOC in navigating and planning for post-secondary training and college pathways. They provide personal and academic support, mentorship, comprehensive financial aid literacy, and advising to help students achieve their career and college dreams.
LYDIA PLACE
Lydia Place provides a wide range of services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Whatcom County, including family housing, intensive case management, parenting support, mental health services, prevention programs, and wraparound care to ensure families have what they need to stay housed.
MAX HIGBEE CENTER
Max Higbee Center supports and empowers teens and adults with developmental disabilities to build community, friendships, happiness, life skills and health through recreation. These programs promote social, physical, emotional, and cognitive growth and development of participants and provide support and respite for families.
MERCY HOUSING NORTHWEST
Mercy Housing provides families and seniors an affordable place to call home. They also offer onsite resident services that focus on housing stability, health and wellness, community engagement, education, and financial wellbeing. These services help Mercy Housing residents work toward self sufficiency and break the cycle of poverty.
ROAD2HOME
Road2Home serves community members experiencing homelessness in Whatcom County, with a focus on those over 55 and medically fragile. They offer enhanced sheltering and case management at Gardenview Village while providing community connections and trainings to reduce stigmas about homelessness.
SUN COMMUNITY SERVICE
Sun House is a interim shelter serving people who are experiencing mental health diagnoses and homelessness. Residents are provided hygiene products, clean bedding, and a homecooked meal each evening. They also receive help with medications, case management services, and someone to talk to at all hours of the day.
THE ARC OF WHATCOM COUNTY
The Arc of Whatcom County improves the quality of life, increases independence, and assures full inclusion of all persons with developmental disabilities. The Arc provides information and referrals, educational programs, and support for people with developmental disabilities, their families, and the organizations that serve them.
UNITY CARE NW
The Way Station is a collaboration between Unity Care NW, Opportunity Council, PeaceHealth, and Whatcom County. It provides a safe and welcoming facility where individuals and families experiencing homelessness can take a shower, use restrooms, wash clothes, receive medical and mental health services, and connect to additional resources.
WHATCOM CENTER FOR EARLY LEARNING
WCEL partners with families and caregivers to provide high quality, equitable, and comprehensive therapy, early learning, and support services to children experiencing developmental delays and disabilities. They offer family-centered, early intervention services to support infants and toddlers throughout Whatcom County.
WHATCOM COUNCIL ON AGING
Whatcom Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels and More program creates affordable nutrition options for seniors, providing in person community meals, weekly home-delivered meals, and nutritional information and assessment. Services help local seniors receive the nutrition and social support they need to stay healthy and independent.
WHATCOM DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER
WDRC promotes constructive and collaborative approaches to conflict, providing a variety of services including landlord and tenant conflict resolution, parenting seminars for divorcing couples with children, family mediation services, and supervised visitation to help parents and children heal from violence and abuse.
WHATCOM FAMILY YMCA
Whatcom Family YMCA connects people of all ages and backgrounds to bridge the gaps in community needs. From affordable childcare and early learning to teen mentorship programs to helping combat food insecurity, the Y is committed to nurturing potential and helping children and their families learn, grow, and thrive.
WHATCOM LITERACY COUNCIL
Whatcom Literacy Council empowers adults to achieve their goals and improve their lives through literacy. Their free small group classes, one-to-one tutoring, and customized learning resources give adult learners the critical skills they need to become more self-sufficient, more employable, and more involved members of the community.
WORK OPPORTUNITIES
Work Opportunities promotes self-determination, self-respect, and valued participation in the community for persons with disabilities through work, offering supported employment services for individuals with disabilities through vocational evaluation/skills assessment, job preparation, training, placement, and retention services.