What a spectacular Fall we have had here in Whatcom County!
From our Annual Community Cider Press this September in the Lydia Place garden, to the Trails to Taps Relay benefit through Bellingham this past weekend – we have been gifted incredible weather and experiences. 
 
Our smiles and spirits have been lifted with the positive outpouring of support from our community, and time after time we reflect about how incredibly grateful we are for YOU!

Now, as our gorgeous Autumn days turn darker, and colder, it is more important than ever to remember our neighbors in need. A warm, safe space is something we can easily take for granted. Yet, every Fall and Winter season you rise to the occasion, and show us just how big your hearts truly are. From volunteering, heart-felt gifts of support, and using your voice to vote and advocate - you shine through the dark to show what it means to be an active and engaged community member. 

Thank you for joining us on this pathway – and helping to disrupt the cycle of homelessness for current and future generations. Keep reading for reflections from this past month, and opportunities to support in the weeks ahead. 

Cider Press Was A Success!
Fresh cider, pizza from Cicchitti’s East Coast Pizza, face painting from We Paint Faces, live music from Karma Taxi, gorgeous photos from Dawn Matthes Photography, crafts and togetherness made this year’s Cider Press one of a kind. Getting the chance to appreciate Lydia Place neighbors, supporters and volunteers and the tireless work they contribute to Lydia Place is one of our favorite times of the year.
Thank you for the laughs, the fun, and your unending support!

LYDIA PLACE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25th - 6PM to 8PM
OVERFLOW TAPS IN BARKLEY VILLAGE
FREE TO ATTEND - 21+

It’s our birthday and we’re celebrating YOU!

Join us at Overflow Taps Join from 6-8pm on October 25th as we celebrate 29 years of housing and supportive services in our local community, and those that helped to make it happen!

A big Thank You to  Barkley Village  for sponsoring this event!

Evening festivities include bites, cake, brownies from  Flax4Life  and
pints of  Overflow Taps  finest ales, recognition of our housing partners and partnerships, and more details about how to join the fight to end homelessness in Whatcom County.
Click  HERE  f or detailed directions to
Overflow Taps in Barkley Village 

 2930 Newmarket St Suite 117
Bellingham, WA 98226
(In Barkley Village) 
Jump For Lydia Place

Lydia Place has partnered with  Trampoline Zone  to make Bellingham School District Purple Fridays,  Lydia Place  Days! 

Trampoline Zone  is opening early just for  Lydia Place !
Enjoy your Purple Friday with NO School and bring your kids to Jump on behalf of  Lydia Place

Suggested donation is just $5 a child/ Jumper. 
100% of your donations go directly to help end homelessness in Whatcom County!

So bring your socks, bring your friends, and bring your donation and help support  Lydia Place  while you and the kids get some AWESOME Jump time while the kids are out of school.
Lydia Place Voted Best Non-Profit 2018
A tremendous THANK YOU for voting Lydia Place Gold/Best Non-Profit Organization of 2018 in Bellingham Alive | NSLife Best of the Northwest. Your love and support of our team, families, and mission means the world to us. It is an honor to serve our Bellingham neighbors, where so many people share our vision of a compassionate community where everyone has a home, and opportunity to thrive. From the bottom of our hearts thank you, and congratulations to Silver Winner Sustainable Connections and Bronze Winner Boys and Girls Clubs of Whatcom County.


Don't Forget To Vote Yes to Renew The Bellingham Home Fund!
W ith voter pamphlets and ballots showing up in our mailboxes this week don't forget to vote YES to renew the Bellingham Home Fund! The Home Fund dedicates significant resources to providing vulnerable children with the safe, stable homes they deserve. It will also create affordable homes for seniors and our neighbors with disabilities to live with dignity and independence. The Bellingham Home Fund is listed under Proposition 2018-5: Low Income Housing Levy.
Humor for Housing Is Right Around The Corner
Tickets are still on sale for the third annual Humor for Housing! Sponsored by the Pysden Team at Caliber Home Loans,
this fundraiser for Lydia Place programs and services is the not to be missed comedy show of the season! Hosted once again by the wonderful Upfront Theatre, join us on November 7th for a night of comedy, delicious food from A Taste of Elegance, and more.
Hear how we make an impact courtesy of Rapid Rehousing Supervisor Jeremy Caplan!

Bellingham's Benny & June

Benny and June have three wonderful children, friendly neighbors, and a goals for the future. These parents are grateful to be able to set goals that would not have been feasible one year ago.

Before moving into their family’s current home with the help of the Lydia Place Community Rehousing Program, Benny and June spent most nights sleeping in cardboard tents or underneath parked semitrailers. Temporary housing came and went, and they were forced to live on the streets for years at a time. Despite all of the challenges of recovering from a drug addiction, fleeing domestic violence, and carrying an unborn child, Benny and June found the resilience in themselves to accomplish everything they set out to achieve.

Benny now has a full-time job where he continues to improve his skills and take on new responsibilities for his team. June gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Once initially excited to “have our own floor to sleep on” and “just feel human”, Benny and June are most grateful to have a safe and stable home for their recently reunited children. They love spending time with neighboring families and watching their children play together in the park. Thanks to simple luxuries like having refrigerator and stove, Benny and June enjoy being able to cook warm, homemade meals for their family.

Now living off the streets for the longest time since their teenage years, Benny and June are setting goals of continuing to become “better parents and better people”. June plans to volunteer at the Humane Society and become a foster parent for animals in need of higher levels of care. Benny looks forward to being able to help others who are still experiencing homelessness by handing out sleeping bags during the winter and by simply “listening”.

Congratulations Benny & June on setting goals and working to make them a reality!
Volunteer Victory Winner
There are so may exceptional volunteers devoting their time day in and day out at Wise Buys Community Thrift Store but once a month we get the chance to appreciate one of them specifically. This month we want to give a heartfelt thank you to Eli, our Volunteer Victory Winner. This amazing person shows up on days off, stays late, and never gives up on the task at hand. We are so lucky to have you with us! Thank you for your service.

Get ready for the end of daylight saving time
 
With darker days ahead, brighten your home and work spaces with select Philips LEDs for as low as 99 cents per bulb, available only at participating The Home Depot stores.

Offers good from Oct. 6 to Nov. 30, 2018. For a list of participating stores, visit pse.com/savenow. 

Our Executive Director Emily is shown receiving a gift of support from Caleb and Brian with  Washington Federal . This generous contribution will go to support, just as the check so powerfully states, "housing".  Lydia Place  serves over 150 local households at any given time through our host of housing, housing case management, parenting support, and counseling services. Thank you again to Caleb, and Brian, and everyone at our local Bellingham and regional Washington Federal branches for believing in our mission and vision.
And, thank you to these individuals and businesses for supporting Lydia Place!

Sarah August| Robert Ball | David Beaumier | Bellingham Bay Rotary Club | Michael & Mary Brunt
Paul Bulanov | Tony Casale | Cheryl Buck Inc | Karen & Richard Clark | Colson | Jennifer Dodge
Eleanor A. BustanobyKeane Trust| Pamela E. Englett | Families for Mary Kay | Steve Forbes
Tom & Kaye Fowler | Glassbaby White Light Fund| Juliana Guy |Alycia Hawkins| Hecht Family| Lisa Heezen |Sara Johnson | Kim Koruga-Vlas| Kulshan Brewing Company | Ann Lackland | Dylan Langei | Tom Laughlin Carla Lee | Sonja Lee | Jennifer McAfee| Kathleen McQuaide | Dorothy Moles| Patti Morgan| Marilyn Moullen Courtney Muraski | Nina Nancarrow | Network for Good | Susan Palmer | Debbie Parker | Leah Parker Melanie Psyden | B.W. Radtke | Joan R. Rae | San Juan Cable Inc| Cleo Schacker | Michael R. Seal | Kari Severns JoAnn Simonarson-Poitras | Karla Slusher | Robert & Madeline Smith | Jillene Snell | Ashley Snyder
Sterling Rentals 1 LLC | Joanna Steward| The Hafer Family Foundation| The Inabrit Family| Scott L Thomson| Kathy & Jeremy Thramer| Ryan Thramer| TJX Companies Inc| Erin Wicklund| Margaret Woll| Michelle Welch
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WISE BUYS THRIFT STORE | 1224 N STATE ST
TUES THRU SAT 10AM-5PM | 360.734.0202
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