LYDIA PLACE | OFFICIAL MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | MARCH 2021
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Attention Lydia Place Housing Heroes Monthly Contributors
You may update or change your credit card details via our Financial Manager, Judy Wayt at 360.671.7663 ext 2003 or by filling out an online donation form with your new credit card information here.
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Thank you to the following Housing Heroes for committing to the work of Lydia Place by helping us end family homelessness with a monthly gift! |
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Mary & Jeff Anderson, Anonymous, Marissa Arbogast, Butch & Linda Arnold, Jeanne Baker, Tiffany Barnett, Matthew Barrow, Lindsey Bear, David James Beaumier, Judy M. Bell, Drew & Michael Betz, Katy Bonello, Brianna Brumbaugh, Michael & Mary Jane Brunt, Lisa Cerezo, Lisa N Chovil, Stephanie Christine, Karen & Richard Clark, Jennifer Cool, Mychel LeRae Cortese, Susan Costanzo, Sue Croft, Jayme and David Curley, Deb Currier, Shannon & Peter Day, Ana Luisa Dias, Cayla Dickens, Carey Ditton, Michelle Dohm, Morgan Dykeman, Cherish Eastwood, Danielle Elder, Kacia Emley, Pamela Eileen Englett, Graham Essex, Dixie Farthing, Jaime Alison Friedrich, Rachel Garcia, Kaitlyn Gerard, Sarah Jane Gielow, Deanna Marie Ginter, Jaylin Lee Godwin, Audrey Gravley & Bill McGinnis, Mindy & Alex Gravley, Greer W Hastings, Alycia Hawkins, Meredith Hayes, Roxanna Hayes, Lisa Heezen, Katie Herling, Natalie Hernandez, Shelley Higgins, Lynda Hinton Real Estate Inc, Afsheen Hussain, Stacy James, Karyl Jefferson, Alivia Jelinski, Jennifer M. Johns, Amy Johnson, Hank Kastner, Misty Kemp, Bill Kern & Kay Caylor, Tom Laughlin, Sonja Lee, Matt Lesinski, Sarah Lewis, Megan Liede, Kayla C. Litton, Abby Lollar, Nancy A Long, Becky Ludwig, Erin Lynch, Katherine McDade, Kate McDonald, Megan C McGinty, Kathleen McQuaide, Heather Michel, Patti K. Morgan, Marilyn Moullen, Samantha Murry, Sarah Nuanes, Talia R Nuckolls, Tammie O'Dell, Laura Ann Owens, Tierney Owens, Susan & Jeff Palmer, Deborah Parker, Pamela Parkhurst, Janne Potter, Ginina Pulcinella, Melanie S Pysden, Misty Kaye Rainwater, Beth Randall, Natalie Ransom and Ryan Wimberly, Steffany Raynes, Laura Rink, Amanda Robins, Anna Rodriguez, Kathy & Marcus Rowe-Guthrie, Lyn Salazar, Suzannah & Tyler Schroeder, Allison Sculthorp, Emily Olena Sharpe, Jaretta Smith, Kathleen Smith, Bethany Smith, Jessica Smith, Jillene Snell, Sue Staley, Delores Starcher, Sterling Rentals LLC, Lacey Stewart, Patricia McGuire Stigliani, Chara Stuart, Ryan Thramer, Pepper Tipton, Jeffery Tom, Peter Turner, Bruce Underwood, Shawna Unger, Jamie Valenta, Yvonne Vaughn, Carrie Veldman, Trent John Vigor, Natalya Volchkova, Ruby Volker, Kerri Walker, Elizabeth Walukas, Terell Weg, Chelsea Williams, Adrienne Wrightson, Tonya Yode |
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Thank you the following neighbors who gave a one-time gift this month! |
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Paul Balzotti, Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, Bellingham Yoga Collective, John A. Bird, Angela Blackwell, Christ the King Church, Celia Clarke, Lorie D. Cole, Dianne B. Davis, Evole Mediclinic LLC, Dana & Dan Hanks, David Hooper, Steve James, The Eleanor & Henry Jansen Foundation, Shawn Kemp, Debra Moore, MTE Fund, Henry Muska, Peregrine & Sylvia Nelson, Northwest Children's Foundation, Susan & Jeff Palmer, Lisa Pool, Ashleigh Poteat, Wendy Anne Powell, Britta Roper, Lydia & Kurt Scherer, Betty L. Scott, Elizabeth Snyder, Ashlee & Andrew Walls, Teresa Williams, Myron & Paula Wlazna
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Lydia Place is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by the law. Scroll to the bottom of this email to learn how The CARES Act impacts your 2021 charitable giving. |
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The Latest from Emily
Our Executive Director, Emily, reminds us that the path to the best versions of ourselves is by leaning into our infinite capacity to love and that we must stand with our Asian American neighbors during this time. Video duration: 6:24 min
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The Lydia Place team is expanding! |
We are seeking driven individuals to join our mission. We are in recruitment for a variety of positions including Financial Manager, Associate Director, Case Manager, Program Manager, and Maintenance Intern.
In order to continue social distancing practices, we've established new hiring procedures to ensure future applicants and our team stay safe and healthy during the application process.
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We Launched a Mini-Series! |
In How the Housing System Works, Executive Director, Emily O'Connor breaks down elements of Whatcom County's complex, and often confusing, housing system.
You can catch up on Episodes 1-3 on our social media channels via YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, or on our website.
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Presentation to City Council |
We, along with community partners the Opportunity Council and the Bellingham and Whatcom Housing Authority, spoke to city council members about the continuum of services for families experiencing homelessness in our community and why we are seeing an unprecedented number of families enter the housing pool at an alarming rate.
Our presentation starts at the 19:00 minute mark.
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Haggen's Roundup for Lydia Place
March 24th - May 18th
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We are so grateful for the steadfast advocacy and support of our local Haggen! Their Cultivating Community Together campaign offers convenience to those wishing to support Lydia Place programs and services by providing an opportunity to round up those extra dollars and cents with each purchase now through May 18th!
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BECU Essentials Drive
April 1st - April 30th
1066 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham
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Join BECU to ensure the basic needs of the children we serve are met by dropping off your new diapers, wipes, and child-proofing material donations at their new location on Lakeway next to Whole Foods.
Want to participate online and have your gifts delivered to our front door? Check out our Newborn to School-Aged Essentials Wishlist on Amazon here.
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Volunteer Week Celebration
Thursday, April 22 | 12-1 PM
Volunteer Center of Whatcom County
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We are so thankful to our amazing volunteers for their continued commitment to us and our clients at Lydia Place, even in these uncertain times. If you have volunteered with us this year or in the past, please join us and our friends over at the Volunteer Center of Whatcom County for an online volunteer appreciation event. |
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Virtual Art For Housing
Saturday, May 8th | 6-7 PM
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As part of May's Mental Health Awareness Month, we invite you to join us virtually on Saturday, May 8th for our annual Art for Housing art auction and fundraiser benefiting Lydia Place programs and services.
This event kicks off our month-long campaign to help raise awareness about the impact homelessness has on a person's mental health and why advocating for more high-quality, affordable, and low-barrier mental health services is a crucial part of the journey towards long-term housing stability.
Tickets are now on sale!
If you'd like to support this year's virtual art auction by becoming a 2021 Art for Housing event sponsor or by donating a piece of art, you can do so via our event website!
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Thank you,
Evole Mediclinic!
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We want to send our sincerest thanks and gratitude to all the guests and staff who supported Evole Mediclinic's virtual celebration and fundraiser.
Together, you came together and raised over $800 for Lydia Place programs and services!
Your generosity and kindness continue to radiate throughout our community!
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Thank you,
Bellingham Yoga Collective!
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We want to thank Bellingham Yoga Collective for championing Lydia Place's vision of a compassionate community where everyone has a home and the opportunity to thrive.
By offering all the proceeds from their Spring Renewal Retreat, you raised nearly $1,000 for the families we serve!
Namaste to you and the wonderful people who participated in this year's retreat!
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Thank you,
Lummi Tribal Health Center!
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We want to extend a HUGE thank you to Dr. Justin Iwasaki and the Lummi Tribal Health Center team for their top-notch level of care, compassion, organization, and overall efforts to bring immunity to our community! Thanks to their hard work and coordination, several of our Lydia Place staff members and clients received and/or are scheduled to receive their first and second Covid-19 vaccines sooner than anticipated. We are truly grateful! |
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Thank you,
Computers for People in Need!
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For donating 10 refurbished computers to Lydia Place families in need. We want to thank you and your team of volunteers for their compassion and determination to provide our clients with greater access to the digital tools, platforms, and services we rely on now more than ever.
You can learn more about C4PIN's work to close the digital divide-one technical tool at a time, by visiting https://c4pin.org.
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BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES |
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Help set the table for the families we serve and work with Lydia Place to ensure food security and enhance community connection within our multi-family living spaces with a monthly or quarterly foodservice donation.
Whether your business creates pizza or sandwiches, desserts, or meal boxes, we are looking for your ongoing support in providing various food options for 20 house members to enrich our Campus House gatherings, celebrations, and milestones, providing the invaluable opportunity to sit down together and enjoy a meal.
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Interested in hearing more about this opportunity? Please contact our Community Engagement Coordinator, Rita Thames at ritat@lydiaplace.org. |
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DONATION PARTNER SPOTLIGHT |
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Welcome, Wee Ones Reruns!
We are thrilled to announce a NEW donation partnership with one of Bellingham's most treasured local gems, Wee Ones Reruns. Located in Sunnyland Square, this friendly, convenient, and organized children's consignment shop is now accepting new and gently used kids' clothes, toys, baby gear, and maternity items on behalf of Lydia Place families. All you have to do is bring up our name when you drop off your items, knowing that the stroller or shoes or toys your child outgrew will benefit hundreds of children throughout Whatcom County.
Wee Ones Reruns is now accepting spring items. They kindly ask that you follow their current consignment policies by leaving your items in the car while you come inside to sign in.
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DONATE NEW/GENTLY USED ITEMS |
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Looking to donate your new or gently used items to Lydia Place? You can read about which items we are currently accepting and where to drop them off on our website at www.lydiaplace.org/support or by downloading our handy donation guide below. |
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Ongoing donation needs are also listed on Amazon!
At Lydia Place, we value our community and that means we shop local whenever possible. Due to our inability to accept most donations in-person, we've had to find alternative ways to continue to provide essential items to our families in need. One of the ways we're doing that is through Amazon Wishlists in order to limit person-to-person contact as much as possible.
These lists can also be used as a reference if you wish to shop locally. We just ask that if you aren't purchasing items from Amazon that they are mailed directly to Lydia Place. If you'd like to discuss on-going donation needs or delivery please contact us at joellepw@lydiaplace.org.
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Don't forget you can support Lydia Place with each purchase you make on Amazon! |
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AmazonSmile in the Shopping App
You can now support your favorite charity through the Amazon app on your iPhone and Android Phones. By turning on the AmazonSmile feature, Amazon will donate 0.5% of all eligible purchases to Lydia Place every time you shop- no additional cost to you.
As of November 2020, AmazonSmile shoppers have generated $1,137.24 for Lydia Place programs and services!
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CELEBRATING EQUITY AND INCLUSION |
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At Lydia Place, our vision is a compassionate community where everyone has a home and the opportunity to thrive. To see our vision come to fruition, we must create systems, policies, programs, and spaces that are non-bias, safe, and reflect the diversity in our community.
On this International Transgender Day of Visibility, we stand with our transgender and non-binary neighbors, especially those struggling to feel seen and continue to live in fear of discrimination and violence.
We acknowledge the courage it takes to live openly and authentically. We are committed to collaborating with our local LGBTQ+ partnering agencies to help ensure Lydia Place's internal and external practices are gender-inclusive so that every person in our community has the opportunity to thrive.
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In honor of the day, HRC released a new video featuring some of its transgender and non-binary staff and volunteers discussing the need for visibility, the power of transgender and non-binary voices. You can find several resources and articles like the ones posted below, by visiting https://www.hrc.org/resources/transgender
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Transgender and Non-Binary People FAQ
Transgender and non-binary people come from all walks of life. The HRC Foundation has estimated that there are more than two million of us across the United States. We are parents, siblings ...
Read more
www.hrc.org
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Be an Ally - Support Trans Equality - HRC
Learning how to be an ally to transgender and non-binary people takes both time and effort. And despite all that you do, you might never feel that you are a perfect ally. That's okay,...
Read more
www.hrc.org
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Why Sarah McBride Might Be the Most Inspiring Elected...
It's early January, and Sarah McBride is sitting at a desk in her parents' house in Delaware. A "Sarah McBride for State Senate" yard sign is wedged between a bookshelf and the wall - already a relic from the election she won two months earlier.
Read more
www.rollingstone.com
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Rachel Levine Makes History As 1st Openly Trans Federal...
The Senate voted Wednesday to confirm Dr. Rachel Levine as assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services. The vote is a history-making one: Levine is the first openly...
Read more
www.npr.org
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Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Solidarity Vigil
Saturday, April 3rd | 6:30 PM
Maritime Heritage Park Amphitheatre
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The Bellingham Unity Committee invites you to join them on Saturday for a vigil to honor the lives lost in Atlanta, and to hear from local AAPI community members speak about the complex issue of racism and its history in Whatcom County and present day.
Guests are encouraged to dress warmly, wear masks, and be mindful of social distancing. Bringing candles or flowers that are white or yellow is also encouraged.
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Help us spread the word that mental health matters and show your support of Lydia Place by downloading a free Art for Housing coloring page and sharing your finished masterpieces with us on social media!
Be sure to tag Lydia Place (@lydiaplace) and use the hashtags #artforhousing, #mentalhealthmatters, or #youarenotalone for your chance to be featured on Lydia Place's social media platforms throughout the month of May.
Go ahead and color outside the lines if you want to! A special thank you to Miss Madeleine for sharing her fun and vibrant yellow-tastic rendition with us!
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Immediate Action Needed!
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This week WLIHA needs your support to keep up the momentum on HB 1236 (just cause protections) and SB 5160 (right to counsel) to keep people in their homes and prevent a mass wave of evictions and homelessness.
HB 1236 has been pulled to the Senate floor, which means a final floor vote could occur soon. It is critical that tenants are protected against arbitrary and retaliatory evictions. Without these protections, pandemic-related rental assistance will not secure housing or prevent homelessness.
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The Washington Low Income Housing Alliance is a powerful statewide coalition of diverse organizations and individuals working together to build and protect safe, healthy, affordable homes for everyone in Washington. |
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How the CARES Act Impacts Charitable Giving for 2021
New Deduction Available: Non-itemizer taxpayers can write off up to $300 per tax return (up to $600 for married couples filing jointly) in charitable cash contributions for 2021. This is available only to people who take the standard deduction, not for people who can itemize their deductions on Schedule A. It is an “above the line” deduction from income that will reduce a donor’s adjusted gross income (AGI), and thereby reduce taxable income.
This information is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results.
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