Sean Humphrey House is a non-profit organization that devotes the work of their foundation on the principles of commitment and dedication. The house was founded in 1995 by the family of Sean Humphrey, a 30 year old man who died of AIDS in 1992. Sean was a young man who made it his goal in life to make others feel comfortable through his work in the hotel and restaurant industries. It is run by the help of countless volunteers and provides low cost housing in an adult family home for people living with AIDS. Sean Humphrey’s legacy is living on and making a difference in the lives of those diagnosed with AIDS and their friends and family.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County (DVSAS) supports people affected by abuse or assault, whether it happened twenty minutes or twenty years ago.  Through individual and group advocacy counseling, legal assistance, and community trainings, DVSAS provides support, education, and healing to thousands of people each year.  On a broader scale, DVSAS builds partnerships with law enforcement, social services providers, and policymakers to improve the community response to sexual assault and domestic violence.  DVSAS is the only program of its kind in Whatcom County and has over 32 years of experience in delivering compassionate and confidential help. Support from volunteers, donors, and partners allows DVSAS to provide these critical programs and services to those who need them most, free of charge.

Established in 1998, Kids’ Council NorthWest provides grief support to children, teens and their families. KCNW supports Camp Willie, a Camp Fire USA resident grief camp for youth. We also provide resources and support to schools and the community and run the TreeHouse. The TreeHouse provides peer support groups for families, children and teens who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling. Children and teens meet in supportive environment to share their thoughts and feelings in a talking circle and through grief-related activities, art and play. Parents and guardians meet in adult support groups to talk about concerns and emotions related to their own grief and to raising grieving youth. Children and teens who have had a parent, sibling or primary caregiver die often feel isolated,  have difficulty in school or suffer from depression. Providing a safe place for children, teens and their families to come together in mutual support can help break isolation and offer hope.

Bellingham Childcare and Learning Center (BCLC) is the only independent, non-profit, fully-accredited early learning facility in Whatcom County offering service on a sliding fee scale to low-income families. Between 50 and 60 percent of families receive some form of tuition assistance. BCLC meets a vital need by providing affordable, high-quality early education to economically and culturally diverse segments of our community. The focus of BCLC is squarely on improving educational outcomes for all children and promoting readiness for school, but we place special priority on providing services for children and families struggling with poverty, disability, or family illness. 

Bellingham Food Bank is a community based organization that is volunteer and staff led to provide and distribute food for the growing needs of Whatcom County residents. The organization also works closely with other food banks and agencies to help other communities nearby and provide information on services such as food stamps, energy assistance, and state run health insurance. In 2011 Bellingham Food Bank had its busiest year in history.  The food bank responded to more than 110,000 visits by distributing over 2.8 million pounds of food.  One in six Bellingham households regularly uses the food bank. Benefit X donates food received at their events every year, and, in partnership with local businesses, delivers weekly donations of food, diapers, and personal hygiene supplies to the food bank.