Summer is just around the corner here in Whatcom County. The sun is shining consistently (a rarity here!), the cottonwood is flying around us, and calendars are getting filled to the brim with family vacations, BBQs, and days at the lake. Another calendar getting filled to the brim is ours--because of you. So many of you are reaching out and asking how you can support Lydia Place during the summer. Whether through gardening at our properties, service projects for our clients, or volunteering at our events, you are making Lydia Place a priority in your summer schedule. From all of the staff and clients of Lydia Place, thank you for continuing to support our programs and services, and for making our mission part of your life.

Handbags for Housing on Sale Now! Tickets are now live for Whatcom County's biggest fashion event! Over 600 fashionistas will descend onto the Barkley Village Green on June 7th for our 6th annual Handbags for Housing! You'll enjoy our signature handbag bazaar, live and silent auctions, beauty bar, cocktails, appetizers, and more! Sponsored by the Whatcom County Association of Realtors, Labels, and Barkley Village, this is sure to be our biggest and best year yet. Join us down the rabbit hole for this year's Alice in Wonderland themed Handbags for Housing!

A Home for Dads, Thanks to Ben Kinney

It's not often that you find someone who puts their money where their mouth is--literally. But we have found that someone in our friend Ben Kinney, who has a deep passion for eradicating homelessness in our community. At his recent WIN.MAKE.GIVE. conference series, he surprised our ED Emily O'Connor with the proceeds from the conference and support from others like Industrial Credit Union, to the total of $400,000. This money will go towards a new multi-family facility, with at least one unit designated for a dad with kids. Thank you to Ben and his entire team for continually surprising us with your dedication and commitment to ending family homelessness, and for lifting up your neighbors and our community. You inspire all of us with your generosity, and drive us to do good. Click the video below to watch Emily's reaction to this amazing news!

Welcome Danielle Purdy! We are excited to announce that we have hired our new Development Director, Danielle Purdy! Danielle comes to us with years of experience in the non-profit world, ranging from music agencies in Oregon to our very own local Whatcom Land Trust. We are excited to see her bring her experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm to our organization and mission!

Furniture Delivery Volunteers Needed We are so lucky that we have an amazing partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Anyone can consign their furniture in our name, and their donation goes on an account accessible for our clients to use to furnish their home. One tiny hiccup--not all of our clients have cars to transport furniture home! We are looking for dedicated volunteers who can spend 4 hours every Monday delivering furniture for clients. Click here for more details, or apply now!

Vagina Monologues--Sold Out! Thank you to everyone who came out over Mother's Day Weekend to support local theatre and Lydia Place by attending the Vagina Monologues! All three shows were sold out, and we are so thrilled that the first year was such a smashing success. See cast photos, videos, and more and relive it all over again!

Help Families with Spring Cleaning Did you know that the most-requested items from our clients are household cleaning supplies? Laundry detergent, garbage bags, dish soap, any and all full-sized items are needed and appreciated! Next time you're at the store getting your own supplies, please consider grabbing an extra one and dropping it off at our offices!

Get inspired with this impact story courtesy of Supportive Services Case Manager Jean Farina. Tonya sits down for breakfast with her two children, Derek and Jasmine, and watches joyfully as they giggle and share stories while beginning their day. Tonya is overcome with gratitude as she listens to the laughter of her children that now fills her home once again. After breakfast, Tonya pulls Jasmine in her favorite little red wagon as they walk Derek down the street to catch the bus for school.  Derek and Jasmine are now back in Tonya’s home after being placed temporarily outside of her care while Tonya got out of a relationship where she experienced domestic violence and worked on her sobriety. With a support team that included her Lydia Place Case Manager and Lydia Place Parents as Teachers (PAT) Parent Educator, Tonya found the courage to overcome many barriers and once again have full custody of her children. Tonya now celebrates over a year of sobriety and continues to work to maintain this stability for her family while her Lydia Place support team continues to cheer her on! Tonya looks forward to being able to build memories with Derek and Jasmine and provide them with a safe and stable place to come home to each and every night. Congratulations Tonya on all of your hard work and success! Congratulations Tonya, Derek, and Jasmine on your road to a stable and bright future!

Check out these events and articles from our community and nationwide!

Homeless to Harvard--read this heartwarming story about the high school senior in Philadelphia Richard Jenkins who was accepted on a full scholarship to Harvard University! Learn more

City Council recently passed a measure allowing for Accessory Dwelling Units to be built in all single-family zones. Read more about this measure and its impact on housing in our local community. Read On

Our friends at Camber are launching Drinks for Good on June 1, where $1 from each beer/wine/cider sale on the first Friday of the month will go to a non-profit, and we're the first one! Make sure to swing by and drink for good, and for Lydia Place! More Details

Sprucing up the Coat Room! Thank you to our Wise Buys team for beautifying our volunteer break room! They used donations (from you!) and re-purposed items to make this a warm and inviting space for the over 40 volunteers supporting the store. Psst...join our Wise Buys volunteer team and work and sign up here .

Thinking about going electric? Whether you want to geek out on cost savings or reduce your carbon footprint, PSE has information to help you consider the right electric car for you. Why should you think about going electric? Electric cars are fun to drive They're reliable and cost less to fuel than gas or diesel cars With a little planning, charging is no big deal The batteries are proven and safe They're healthier for the planet For more information, go to pse.com/goelectric today!

Please join us in thanking all of the individuals and businesses who have recently given to support the programs and services of Lydia Place:

Abel Bazan | Alan Kemble | Amy Johnson | Ann Lackland | Ashley Snyder | Bellingham Public Schools Foundation | Bellingham Real Estate Resources | Brian Kennemer | Carla Lee | Carmella Hustoft Celeste Bailey | Charles Ammerman | Charlotte Pros | Chris Ohana | Cleo Schacker | Craig McKenzie Dani Robinett | David Beaumier | Debbie Parker | Don Hale Team Heritage Bank | It's Good to Be Home Jan and David Rystrom | Jeffrey Tom | Jennifer Coppock | Jennifer Dodge | Jillene Snell Judy Bracken-Commissaris | Karen and Richard Clark | Kari Severens | Karla Slusher | Kathleen McQuaide Kelly Wilde | Lisa Heezen | LIV DDI | Lorraine Hoving | Marlin Engineering | Marsha Lockhart Melanie Pysden | Michael and Mary Brunt | Michael Smith | Michaelle Crovisier | Michelle Bakker Michelle Sargent | Mile Pie Club | Natali Asplund | Nenad Curgus | Network for Good | Nick Berard Real Estate Group | Nina Nancarrow | North Coast Credit Union | Northwest Aloha Team | Pamela Englett | Patti Morgan Ray and Sally Poorman | Rebecca McInnis | Reed Family Trust | Ryan Thramer | Sage Bishop | Sandi Qualls Sarah Tadlock | Sonja Lee | Sterling Rentals | Steve James | Susan Palmer | Suzannah Gusukuma Thomas Burkland | Tom Laughlin | Tony Casale | Truist |United Way of King County United Way of Whatcom County | Victoria Reyes

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ENJOY 50% OFF ANY ITEM WISE BUYS THRIFT STORE | 1224 N STATE ST TUES THRU SAT 10AM-5PM | 360.734.0202 EXPIRES 6/30/18 CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER DISCOUNTS. MUST PRESENT COUPON AT TIME OF PURCHASE. NO CASH VALUE.