|  | May Newsletter |  | It’s Mental Health Awareness Month!
Housing is more than just a roof over one’s head. Safe and stable housing is a basic need, and it can be difficult or impossible to care for your mental health if that need is not met. Lydia Place puts housing first so that clients have the opportunity to heal, the stability to address any mental health challenges, and the potential to thrive. Once here, clients can then access care at any time via our in-house Mental Health Care Program that provides individuals, family, and child focused therapy to our clients.
Our mental health team has the flexibility to approach care creatively and is able to focus on our client’s voice and needs. We employ a trauma-informed, low barrier approach to services unlike any other in Whatcom County. In 2022, our team provided 1,255 therapy sessions in the past year alone! Lydia Place has also recently remodeled our Bell Tower office to include a brand-new mental health care center that includes offices, a group room, and a playroom. Prioritizing mental health and self-care extends to staff. Lydia Place highlights employee wellness as a core value and recognizes the importance of investing in mental health by offering living wages, flexible schedules, and time to connect and support each other.
We hope you can celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month with us! | |  | BEER PROM 2023!
Beer Prom is approaching fast and we are expecting it to sell out, so if you’ve been waiting to purchase tickets, now is the time.
The region’s best breweries will be pairing up to collaborate on new brews for this year’s ’90s-themed event! DJ Will and The Alger Rhythms will be providing musical entertainment for the evening. Come in your favorite ‘90s outfit for the costume contest: there will be two categories—Best 90’s Icon and Best Couple Costume.
Special thank you to our brewery partners! 2023 Brewery Prom Dates: Kulshan Brewing Company + Stoup Brewing Wander Brewing + Old Schoolhouse Brewery Beach Cat Brewing Company + Crucible Brewing Stones Throw Brewing + 192 Brewing Stemma Brewing Co. + Icicle Brewing Company Boundary Bay Brewery + Gruff Brewing
WHEN: Saturday, May 13th from 6-10pm WHERE: Hotel Leo’s Crystal Ballroom | 1224 Cornwall Ave Bellingham, WA 98225
All proceeds benefit Lydia Place and help disrupt the cycle of homelessness in Whatcom County. Must be 21+ |
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| | | | Join us at our Open House!
You’re invited to stop by our Open House to learn more about Lydia Place programs, see our newest housing facility, and discover how you can be involved in disrupting the cycle of homelessness.
WHEN: 4-6 PM, Thursday May 4th WHERE: Heart House, 1705 Gladstone St. Bellingham, WA No need to RSVP, stop by anytime! |
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| | | Support Lydia Place families while you shop!
Saturday May 20th, 2% of the Co-op’s total sales will be donated to Lydia Place. Stock up on groceries, wellness products or gifts and support our work to end family homelessness at the same time. You can also round up your purchase at the register any day during the month of May and 100% of your donation will be given directly to Lydia Place! |
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| | | Get your $50 ticket for a chance to win this sweet, custom-built guitar from local craftsman 34 Guitars! Raised funds will go towards supporting unhoused Whatcom County families. | |
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| |  | Handbags for Housing | Save the Date
Join us for cabanas, cocktails, and couture at this year's Handbags for Housing 2023 Riviera Chic edition. No need to jet set away to Europe—grab your sandals or stilettos, your best pals, and get ready for fashion, fun, and philanthropy! This year's event will take place at the Fisherman's Pavilion overlooking beautiful Bellingham Bay.
Enjoy an evening filled with a runway show, exclusive live handbag auction, live entertainment, beauty bar, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, and shop-til-you-drop at our legendary Handbag Bazaar!
Tickets go on sale June 1st, 2023. Joie de vivre! Bisous, bisous!, Lydia Place
|  | | Thank you Sunrise Rotary Club! Our heartfelt thanks to the Sunrise Rotary Club for affirming that every family deserves a home and choosing Lydia Place as one of the beneficiaries of their annual Oysterfest fundraiser earlier this year. This generous support will help us continue to provide critical housing, parenting support, and mental health services for families in our community. |
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|  | | In support of Mental Health Awareness Month we are spotlighting NAMI Whatcom, a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization.
NAMI offers free support groups, classes, and education forums to the community. Click here for a list of upcoming programs.
This year, NAMI is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month with the ‘More Than Enough’ campaign!
#MoreThanEnough aims to address the urgently growing need for mental health support. The campaign aims to emphasize that every individual possesses an innate value, deserving of the gift of life, love, and restoration, irrespective of personal circumstances such as health condition, physical appearance, financial status, past experiences, or limitations.
Click here to learn more about how to get involved with the campaign.
If you are interested in donating to the cause, this month they have a matching sponsor, so you can double your impact. |
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| |  | | | |  | Become a Housing Hero
Recurring monthly donations are incredibly important. By providing a steady stream of reliable income, monthly donors help us say “yes” to families in crisis. | |
|  | Make a one time gift | |
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| | | Landlords can partner with us!
Ending homelessness in Whatcom County requires a community solution. That is why we need property owners and managers, like you, who are willing to collaborate with us to address the housing crisis in our community.
To learn more about how we partner with landlords, please contact Louis Walbrek, Program Manager for the Rapid Re-Housing Program, at louisw@lydiaplace.org. |
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|  | We are seeking driven individuals to join us in our mission to disrupt the cycle of homelessness. | | | Join Our Board!
Our Board is critical to the success of the organization and the Board’s first and most important role is as the governing body, guiding the organization toward its vision and mission while ensuring sound practices and fiscal management. | | | | Lydia Place offices will be closed:
May 29th | Memorial Day |
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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. | |
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