Whatcom

Employment

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)

WorkSource

Health & Emergency

Washington Basic Health Care Plan

1220 Eastside SE, PO Box 9014
Olympia, WA 98504
Toll Free: +1-800-826-2444
For people under age 65 who do not qualify for Medicare and are low income. Covers doctor care, hospital care, lab and emergency care.

Medicaid (through SSI)

Toll Free: +1-800-772-1213
TTY: +1-800-325-0778
Web: www.ssa.gov
Youth with disabilities may qualify for SSI at age 18 and therefore receive Medicaid based on their income (not parents) and disability. Medicaid pays for mandatory health services. In Washington, it also covers optional services.

Healthcare for Workers with Disabilities (HWD)

Toll Free: +1-866-272-7630
Web: www.dshs.wa.gov/onlinecso/hwd.shtml
HWD is a Medicaid buy-in program for people with disabilities who work. The worker pays a small monthly fee (premium) based on his/her income.

Regional Support Networks -- County Mental Health Crisis Lines Mental Health Division

PO Box 45320
Olympia WA 98504-5320
Phone: +1-360-902-8070

The Department of Social and Health Services provides care and treatment for people with severe and recurring mental illnesses and children with serious emotional disturbance and the families, operates a crisis response system for all of Washington's citizens, regulates the individuals that provide mental health services and develops mental health policy for all providers. County government agencies and 145 private and non-profit organizations, supported by state and federal money, provide treatment for most of Washington's children with mental illnesses. The agencies are organized into 14 Regional Support Networks.

St Joseph Hospital

2901 Squalicum Pkwy
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-734-5400
Toll Free: +1-800-541-7209
Provides emergency services, surgery, inpatient treatment and kidney center.

Unity Care NW

220 Unity Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-676-6177
The mission of the clinic is to provide affordable, primary medical and dental services for low-income people, and to forge community partnerships in providing such care.
Hours: Mon - Fri: 9:00AM - 1:00PM, 2:00PM - 5:00PM

Whatcom County Crisis Services

1407 Commercial Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-715-1563
Toll Free: +1-877-715-1563
24-hour information, advocacy and support for persons involved in domestic violence and for past or present victims of sexual assault.

Homeless Housing Program for Families with Children -- Opportunity Council

314 E. Holly Street / Community Resource Center
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-734-5121 (ext 370)
Provides emergency housing, rental assistance and transitional housing for families in need or for victims of domestic violence. Families can apply for this program at the Community Resource Center, 12:00Noon - 4:00PM Monday-Friday. There may be a waiting list.

Sea Mar Community Health Center

2209 Elm Street, Suites A & B
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-734-5458

Bellingham Food Bank

1824 Ellis Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-676-0392
Food distribution Monday, Wednesday and Friday 12:30PM - 3:00PM and Wednesday from 5:00PM - 7:00PM. Bring proof of address and identification for initial visit. Open to Bellingham residents only.

Maple Alley Inn -- Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship

1708 I Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-738-0199
Provides free meals to low income, homeless and disabled persons on Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30AM - 1:30PM. Shower vouchers are also available.

Project Hope Food Bank -- Lynden

210 Third Street
Lynden, WA 98364
Phone: +1-360-354-4673
Services available to local residents only.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 9:00AM - 11:30AM.

Unity Care NW

220 Unity Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-676-6177
The mission of the clinic is to provide affordable, primary medical and dental services for low-income people, and to forge community partnerships in providing such care.

Hours: Mon - Fri: 9:00AM - 1:00PM, 2:00PM - 5:00PM

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Housing

Common Ground

110 Prefontaine Place S #504
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: +1-206-461-4500
Non-profit consulting firm specializing in low-income and special needs housing development. Their mission is to create and preserve decent housing for people with low income and special needs throughout Washington State.

Bellingham/Whatcom County Housing Authorities

208 Unity Street / PO Box 9701
Bellingham, WA 98227
Phone: +1-360-676-6887
Provides applications for public housing and Section 8 rental assistance in Whatcom County.

USDA Rural Development

2021 E College Way, Suite 216
Mount Vernon, WA 98273-3610
Phone: +1-360-428-4322
Programs providing grants or loans for homebuyers with low to moderate income.

Agape Christian Women's Shelter - Emergency shelter

2300 Yew St. Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
Phone: +1-360-733-3796
Provides shelter for homeless women and children. Eligibility is based on degree of need.

Lydia Place

1701 Gladstone
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-671-7663
Provides transitional housing for 6 months for women with children. Women staying at Lydia Place participate in a Life Skills program to meet the goal of self-sufficiency. Lydia Place is not appropriate for short-term emergency.

Homeless Housing Program for Families with Children

314 E. Holly Street - Community Resource Center
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-734-5121 (ext 370)
Provides emergency housing, rental assistance, and transitional housing for families in need or for victims of domestic violence. Families can apply for this program at the Community Center, 12:00Noon - 4:00PM Monday-Friday. There may be a waiting list.

YWCA

1026 N. Forest Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-734-4820
Web: www.ywcabellingham.org
Provides free short-term housing (for up to 60 days) and low cost transitional housing for up to 18 months. The program is for single women and includes life skills and mental health classes, free outfits for job interviews and work scholarships, and help connecting with other community resources as needed.

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Postsecondary Education

Bellingham Technical College

Web: www.btc.edu

Western Washington University

Web: www.wwu.edu  

Whatcom Community College

Web: www.whatcom.ctc.edu  

Job Corps

Web: https://www.jobcorps.gov/

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Recreation & Leisure

Special Olympics

Toll Free: +1-800-752-7559
Provides training & competition opportunities for developmentally disabled youth in 19 Olympic style sports, including aquatics, athletics, bowling, gymnastics, soccer, etc.

Arne Hanna Aquatic Center

1114 Potter Street
Bellingham, WA 98226
Phone: +1-360-647-7665
Provides a variety of swimming classes, water aerobics, lap swim and swim options. Facility is handicap-accessible and includes a Jacuzzi and locker room.

Bellingham Parks and Recreation

3424 Meridian Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-676-6985
Provides recreational classes and programs for seniors and the general public.

Whatcom County Parks and Recreation

3373 Mt Bkaer Hwy
Bellingham, WA 98226
Web: www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks
Provides recreational classes and programs to seniors and other residents of Whatcom County.

YMCA

1256 N. State Street - Main Office
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-733-8630
Phone: +1-360-354-5000 (Lynden)
Phone: +1-360-380-4911 (Ferndale)
Provides a variety of fitness programs for all levels of ability. Includes pool, weight room, racquetball court, locker room and shower. Fees vary. Financial assistance available.

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Transportation

DSHS Medical Coupon Transportation

Toll Free: +1-800-925-5438
If a person is unable to use public transportation and has a medical emergency, they may use medical coupons to pay for a taxi or cabulance prior approval necessary.

Dial-A-Ride -- Whatcom Transportation Authority

2011 Young Street, Suite 201
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-384-3425
Web: www.ridewta.com
Connections to the WTA transportation system are arranged for persons who live in Everson, Nooksack, Sumas, Nugents Corner, Birch Bay and Deming. Call for schedules.

Amtrak

401 Harris Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-734-8851
Toll Free: +1-800-872-7245
Web: www.amtrak.com
Train transportation is available between Bellingham and numerous destinations.

Whatcom Volunteer Center

411 York Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-734-3055
Web: www.whatcomvolunteer.org
Volunteer drivers available to transport low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. Individual must provide adequate notice and be ineligible for state assistance.

WTA -- Specialized/Paratransit Transportation

2011 Young Street, Suite 201
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: +1-360-733-1144

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