For many families in our community, summer coming to an end is bittersweet. Gone are the days of picking berries, playing in the backyard, and enjoying all of the fun recreational activities that Whatcom County's beautiful landscape has to offer. But returning are routines, daily schedules, and excitement of a new school year and all it brings. However, for far too many of our neighbors, this time of year brings anxiety and uncertainty. How will I provide my daughter school supplies? Where can I get new clothes for my son? How will I keep them warm at night as the months get colder? Due to amazing community partners and supporters like you, Lydia Place is able to answer these questions with resources, services, and a path towards independence and stability. Keep reading to learn how you are making a difference in the lives of so many parents and children here at home.
How lucky are we to have such an amazing partner and supporter in Barkley Village?! On August 11th they hosted their first ever Concert on the Green, and ALL proceeds went to Lydia Place programs and services! How much is "all" you might ask? To the tune of over $15,000!

It was such a wonderful day, with delicious food vendors, cold beer, and amazing bands taking the stage to entertain over 450 locals. Thank you to Neal Swanson of the Barkley Group and Haggen Food and Pharmacy for being our champions and making such a wonderful event for our community and for Lydia Place! And a HUGE thank you to the 10 volunteers who took the time on a Saturday to run registration, check IDs, and be general support for this outdoor music event. We are so grateful for all of you!
Save the Date for Cider Press!
Don't let the heat fool you, Fall is right around the corner! We're gearing up for pumpkins, cable knit sweaters, and of course, Cider Press! We can't wait to have all of our volunteers, supporters,
and staff at our Gladstone property to celebrate the season and each other! So mark your calendars for September 27th from 4-7pm at 1701 Gladstone Street for everyone's favorite Fall tradition!
Welcome Dani Elder
This month, Dani Elder joined our Outreach Team as our new Event Coordinator! Dani comes to the Lydia Place team with years of experience in wedding and event planning, plus experience planning and volunteering at Lydia Place events (evident from this cute shot with Housing Program Supervisor Ashley Thomasson from this year's Handbags!). We are so excited to have her experience, ideas, and enthusiasm help take our events to the next level. Welcome Dani!
PSE Comes to Lydia Place
This last month, we partnered with Puget Sound Energy and hosted an energy fair at one of our partnering properties! Families got to enjoy pizza and treats, while PSE representatives answered questions about their bill and how they can be more energy efficient! And what's even better--while all this was happening, PSE went into apartments to install energy efficient lighting! Thank you to PSE for your continued support of Lydia Place families!
Our Families Bounced Forward!
On August 14th we hosted our second annual Bounce Forward back to school fair! The fair included workshops for mom and dad on effective communication, stress management, and more, while kiddos got to play! A huge thank you to First Congregational Church for hosting us, NW Washington Fair for fair tickets for families, Fred Meyer for supplying lunch, and over 20 volunteers who helped to make this event happen!
Thank You Allegiant Air
It truly takes a village to get kiddos out the door and ready for school. We are so thankful to Allegiant Air for providing backpacks and school supplies for the children of Lydia Place families, and helping to set them up for success for the upcoming school year!
Thank you Allegiant!
Macy's Gave Big to LP Programs
The local Bellis Fair Macy's recently selected Lydia Place as the beneficiary of their 2018 The Big Give Back Makes Good Cents campaign. Shoppers at Macy's were able to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar to make a donation to Lydia Place! Thank you Macy's for supporting our programs and services, and for spreading awareness about the work we do!
You've Been Busy!
When we put the call out for volunteers to help keep our properties looking beautiful for our families, you answered! Thank you to Kiwanis Young Professionals for beautifying Baker Place, Christ the King Church for building a fence and staining the deck at Baker Place, and First Presbyterian Church for working on projects at both Bell Tower and Gladstone! Interested in getting involved? Email kylef@lydiaplace.org today to organize a work party!
Get inspired with this impact story courtesy of Parenting Support Program Supervisor Jennifer Hooper!

Elise had a good job, a reliable vehicle, a stable home, and was so elated to be a new mom. Until the pieces began to crumble around her. Drug abuse and an unhealthy relationship caused Elise to flee with her seven month old daughter, but she quickly felt the wrap-around services of Lydia Place’s Campus Support Program welcome her. Elise found big hearts in her housemates--all of them single moms themselves—and her daughter had immediate playmates. Elise had the support of other moms in a period of her life that may have otherwise been isolating and lonely. 

Committed to learning all she could about parenting and child development, Elise enrolled in our Parents as Teachers home visiting program. She explained to her parent educator “I know these early years are few and I don’t want to have any regrets. I want to do everything to give her the best life.” Through her parent educator, Elise gained an understanding of developmental milestones and what she could expect in the coming months. Assessments let her know her daughter was on track, and she learned activities and play strategies to promote healthy development. 

In September, Elise will be re-entering the workforce and moving on to an apartment of her own. For Elise and her little girl, the Campus Support and Parent Support programs at Lydia Place made the difference between getting through a very tough time, and growing and thriving through a very tough time. She will continue to work with her parent educator until her daughter reaches kindergarten, knowing she has support every step of the way.

Congratulations Elise on your new home and this next chapter in your life!
Congratulations Kaitlyn!
Did you know that anytime a Wise Buys volunteer goes above and beyond, they get their name put up on the wall? And then at the end of the month we draw one of those names and celebrate them? Now you do! Congrats to Kaitlyn for being our latest Volunteer Victory Winner!

Want to join our fabulous team of volunteers? Apply today!
Welcome Back Vikings!
Wise Buys is getting ready for back to school and for Western students to come back to town! We'll be on campus for the Red Square Info Fair September 24-25, and then at the Depot Market Square on September 26 for Paint B'ham Blue for WWU! Make sure to follow us on Instagram to keep tabs on all of our Viking activities!
Bill Assistance Available for PSE Customers

Depending on income and household size, you may be eligible for payment assistance with your PSE heating bill and for free energy-efficient improvements to your home. Recipients
can receive up to $1,000 in credits from the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and another $1,000 in credits from PSE’s Home Energy Lifeline Program (HELP). Contact your local energy-assistance agency at 1-866-223-5425.
ENJOY 50% OFF ANY ITEM
WISE BUYS THRIFT STORE | 1224 N STATE ST
TUES THRU SAT 10AM-5PM | 360.734.0202
EXPIRES 9/29/18
CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER DISCOUNTS. MUST PRESENT COUPON AT TIME OF PURCHASE. NO CASH VALUE.