Dear Neighbors,
Lydia Place offices will remain closed to the public until further notice as we, like so many of our community partners, are actively engaging in alternative ways to continue the essential work we do within the community, while ensuring the safety and well being of our clients, volunteers, staff, and greater community.
As our agency continues to adapt to these ever changing circumstances, we are also trying to prepare for the overall impact COVID-19 will have on our community and the individuals and families we serve. But for now, keeping families safely housed is our biggest priority. You can be assured that we are doing our absolute best to ensure the individuals and families we serve have food, housing support, parenting support, and mental health access during these extra challenging times.
We are grateful to be surrounded by a compassionate community full of people wanting to know what they can do to help. With the current physical distancing restrictions in place, the most helpful thing we need right now to continue our work are monetary contributions. We understand not everyone can give financially right now, but if you are able, even a small amount makes a positive impact.
Reoccurring monthly contributions are a great way you can give small throughout the year while making a BIG impact for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community.
You can become a Housing Hero and make a reoccurring donation or support services today with a onetime contribution by visiting our website
https://lydiaplace.org/donate/
With the current statewide restrictions in place,
we are not accepting in-kind donations at this time and Wise Buys Thrift Store is closed.
However, Spring is here and since you are home, there's no better time to start sorting through items you'd like to donate when the time comes.
You can find a full list of items and Donation Partner drop-off locations by visiting our website at
https://lydiaplace.org/support/
.
Please note: Several of our Donation Partner locations are not collecting donations at this time. We recommend calling ahead of time before making a trip.
Through these uncertain times we are hopeful. We are grateful to see the leaders of our State and in our County being proactive, compassionate, and focusing on the current and future impact COVID-19 will have on families in our community. Additionally, we are hopeful because of the generosity and the spirit of kindness we are seeing and feeling from you and everyone in our community.
Thank you for the love and support and being in this together, with us.
Be well,
Team LP
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We are continuing our recruitment for our open employment opportunities. In order to continue this process and for everyone to stay safe and healthy, we are getting creative with our interview process.
Check out our website to see our current employment opportunities including Family Support Specialist, Accounting Coordinator and Case Manager.
Join our dynamic team and be a part of our vision of a compassionate community where everyone has a home and the opportunity to thrive.
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Coming Soon to Lydia Place- Heart House
Whatcom County faces two distinct crises significantly impacting families with young children. The first is a housing affordability and availability crisis, with vacancy rates hovering around 1.5% for multiple years running and rental rates...
Read more
lydiaplace.org
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Events: Bowling for Beds
Physical Tournament Postponed
Although we’ve postponed our Bowling for Beds tournament, scheduled for last Friday, we are encouraging a little fundraising competition between our Kingpin teams and our community in the meantime.
Here are 4 ways you can participate:
- Register to play on a team*
- Donate dollars on behalf to your favorite hotel team and increase their chances of being crowned Bowling for Beds 2020 Champion (Winner is determined by each teams bowling score and dollars raised).
- Make a general donation to our Emergency Motel Fund
- Share this event with friends and family to increase awareness about the vital need for emergency bed night funds for children and their families in our community.
What are Emergency Motel Stays?
Emergency motel stays provide a safe place for high-risk families with children to land temporarily while waiting for a housing placement. Last year, Lydia Place provided 4,600 emergency bed nights to children and their families. Last year Bowling for Beds raised 10K and with your support, Lydia Place can continue to say "yes" to emergency housing requests from families with children who are faced with living in unsafe conditions due to inclement weather, fear of safety, medical issues, and other inhospitable living arrangements.
*As of right now we are hoping to have Bowling for Beds rescheduled to happen before July 31st. We will be sending out new information as it becomes available to all registered players, so keep a look out! Thank you.
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Thank You to Lydia Place's Bowling for Beds 2020 "KingPin" Sponsor Circle
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Events: Art for Housing benefiting Lydia Place's Mental Health Program
Friday, May 8th
Time (TBD)
May is Mental Health and Awareness month and we are #breakingthestigma by increasing awareness and raising funds with a live virtual art auction! So grab your favorite glass of vino, comfy online shopping attire (no judgments here!) and get ready to bid on some gorgeous pieces of art for a great cause. This event features a live art auction with all proceeds benefiting our Mental Health Program.
If you are interested in donating artwork for this fundraiser please contact Event Coordinator, Laura Owens at laurao@lydiaplace.org
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Events: Handbags for Housing
Thursday, June 4th
Barkley Village Square
Mark your calendar for Bellingham’s largest handbag exchange and fashion show extravaganza- Handbags for Housing! This year we're bringing back all your favorites, but with a cherry on top! We'll be serving up sweet handbag deals and sweet treats while you shop from over 500+ handbags from our epic handbag bazaar and live + silent auctions. Additional activities include a beauty bar, cocktail and wine vendors, along with local boutiques and retailers all coming together under one roof, to showcase the sheer power of local fashion and philanthropy.
All event proceeds benefit Lydia Place so, grab your besties and treat yourself to a new bag, specialty cocktails, appetizers, and a mini beauty treatment because you've earned it!
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Community Cares features individuals and businesses who coordinated a drive and/or donated 100% of proceeds in order to fulfill an immediate Lydia Place need.
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Community Cares: Hearts for Housing
Once a month a family pulls into the parking lot of our Gladstone House and two boys, Silas (12) and Hudson (10), jump out of their family's car with arms full with grocery bags filled with cereal to donate to Lydia Place families.
Asking for nothing in return, they leave the bags and humbly smile at our "thank yous" as they walk out the door. For the last three years, rain or shine, this family continues to bring cereal to Lydia Place families in need in honor of their late Grandpa Jack aka "Apple Jack." The family wanted to keep their beloved Jack's legacy going “by doing something he always did in his hometown of Wenatchee. He would bring cereal to a home that cared for mothers and children. So we did the same thing here at Lydia place and then every beginning of the month since."
Only after hearing that their family’s tradition of giving could inspire others (even kids their age) to get involved, did Silas and Hudson agree to share their story with us and with you, our supporters. “We both like to know kids are getting breakfast. It makes kids feel more ready for the day and lets them know there are people out there who care."
We at Lydia Place want to give a big thank you to these amazing young humans, their parents, and Grandpa Jack for being a beacon of compassion, kindness, and generosity to their communities.
Side note: Silas’ favorite cereal is Oreo O's, but he says, "I donate my second favorite Honey Nut Cheerios because it’s healthier." Hudson says, “Frosted Flakes is my favorite, but I also donate Rice Krispies as another favorite."
How sweet is that!
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Community Cares: Sock Drawer
A group of seven students from Western created Sock Drawer, a pilot business for their entrepreneurship class. Along with creating their one-of-a-kind sock designs they decided to donate all sale proceeds to Lydia Place! Within the short span of the class they were able to raise $225.00 for Lydia Place families in need. According to a recent Instagram post by
Sock Drawer,
t
hey are uncertain what will become of the business now that the class is ending, but they really enjoyed making this groovy socks and giving back to families in need.
Fashion and Philanthropy- We dig it! Thank you Sock Drawer!
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Community Cares: Nancy Leavitt with American Family Insurance
We'd like to thank dedicated Lydia Place supporter and friend, Nancy Leavitt for hosting a donation drive on behalf of Lydia Place. Together, Nancy and the American Family Insurance team raised $456 dollars for Lydia Place programs and services. On behalf of Lydia Place thank you for our continued support and advocacy for families and individuals experiencing homelessness in our community!
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If you or your business is interested in raising funds or hosting a drive in support of Lydia Place we'd love to hear about it! Please contact our Community Engagement Coordinator, Rita Thames at ritat@lydiaplace.org to learn which needs make the biggest impact for our families.
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Immediate Need: Artwork Donations
Last year's Art for Housing was such a success we decided to do it again this year! ALL of the art pieces featured in last year's auction sold (talk about a great problem to have). So we are currently seeking gallery quality art, in all forms and mediums, to help raise funds to support vital programming and services in 2020. Whether you're an artist, or collector with a piece that could use more appreciation, we'd love to have your support at our 2nd annual Art for Housing on May 8th.
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If you have questions about donating an auction item to Lydia Place please contact Event Coordinator, Laura Owens at laurao@lydiaplace.org or by calling 360.671.7663 ext. 1000
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Immediate Need: New and Gently Used Handbags
To support our Handbags for Housing event, we seek donations of new or gently used handbags to fill our Handbag Bazaar, Silent Auction, and Live Auction throughout the year. With over 500+ attendees all looking for their next great bag or bargain, we require hundreds of handbags in all shapes, sizes, and price levels to accommodate!
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If you have questions about donating an auction item to Lydia Place please contact Event Coordinator, Laura Owens at laurao@lydiaplace.org or by calling 360.671.7663 ext. 1000
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Bellingham mom of 5 shares plight of being homeless...
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Life for the Silver family right now can be politely described as "chaotic." Jessica Silver and four of her kids are packed into a couple of cheap motel rooms. Her 5th child is forced to stay at a teen shelter in the next county.
Read more
www.king5.com
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Washington State Coronavirus Response
What you need to know If you are ill with fever and a cough or shortness of breath, stay home. If you are unsure of how to care for yourself or are concerned about your condition, call your health care provider for advice. If you feel you need to ...
Read more
coronavirus.wa.gov
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Impact in Your Community
Think of your morning commute: Census results influence highway planning and construction, as well as grants for buses, subways, and other public transit systems. Or think of your local schools: Census results help determine how money is...
Read more
2020census.gov
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Attention Lydia Place Monthly Contributors
You may update expired credit card details via our Financial Manager, Judy Wayt at 360.671.7663 ext 2003 or by filling out a new online donation form with your new credit card information
here.
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Thank you to the following businesses and individuals who generously gave this month!
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American Family Insurance Dreams Fdtn, Jeevaka Attygalla, Anonymous, David Beaumier, Drew Betz, Michael & Mary Brunt, Thomas Burkland, Diane B. Carter, Robert Clark, Jennifer Cool, Sue Ann Croft, Shana Dumo, Pamela E. Englett, Graham Essex, Linda L. Evans, Steve Forbes, Gabriel's Art Kids, LLC, Audrey E. Gravley, Emily E. Grubbs, John Hansen, Lisa Heezen, Amy Johnson, Jones Payne Group, Inc., Ann Lackland, Tom Laughlin, Sonja Lee, Sam Luse, Lynne MacDonald, Mark Osborne, Megan McGinty, Dustin McKissen, Kathleen McQuaide, Patti Morgan, Marilyn Moullen, MTE Fund, Shenandoah Myrick, Nina Nancarrow, Network for Good, Susan & Jeff Palmer, Deborah Parker, Kristen Parsons, Melanie Pysden, Eric J. Raboin, Tami Rasmussen, Kari Severns, Karla Slusher, Jillene Snell, Ashley Snyder, Delores Starcher, Pete Stelling, Sterling Rentals 1 LLC, Jeffery Y. Tom, Shawna Unger, Janna Van Haitsma, Elizabeth Walukas, Brianna Whiteman
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