Submitted by: Lydia Place
Lydia Place is raising the roof. For nearly three-decades, the Bellingham-based housing and social service organization has been committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness for families and their children, expanding to meet the needs the community, while the physical footprint of the organization largely remained the same. The desperately needed expansion project involving the organization’s program office required a nearly two-year capital campaign, “Strengthening Families, Building Futures,” that included the leadership and support of both Bellingham Bay Rotary Club and Rotary Club of Bellingham, who contributed $50,000 and $100,000 respectively to the project. Further, both clubs committed representatives to Lydia Place to support the building and material acquisition process. Construction is expected to last upwards of six-months, with RAM Construction and RMC Architects guiding the way. A celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony are planned for fall 2017.
Lydia Place Executive Director Emily O’Connor states, “Our community is struggling with a housing and homeless crisis. On any given day there are roughly 80 homeless families with children in Bellingham. It is time for creative and innovative solutions to ensure that we disrupt the cycle of homelessness so the children in our programs today do not experience homelessness as adults. This is the heart of our work at Lydia Place.”
Under the guidance of the Lydia Place Board of Directors, management team and strategic partners, Lydia Place has expanded services and its capacity to meet the need of the community. “In the past five years we have added over ten staff, increased housing placements by 30 percent and added a parenting program and counseling services. However, through this significant growth, our physical operation space has remained the same. Staff have been tripled up in single offices and we have relocated some staff to an offsite location.”
The “Strengthening Families, Building Futures” campaign addresses the agency’s desperate need for additional infrastructure for its programs. The second story addition and ground floor remodel will allow Lydia Place to continue expansion of programs in pursuit of the agency’s vision – a community where every family has a home and the opportunity to thrive. Lydia Place relies on community support for over 60 percent of its operating budget. O’Connor is quick to note that this project is no different, “Our program expansion and the capital project would not be possible without our neighbors, community partners and generous supporters,” said O’Connor.
The “Strengthening Families, Building Futures,” campaign is nearing its goal. Agency directors hope to close out the final round by the late spring. Community Engagement Director Shultzie Willows shared, “We have been very fortunate to receive the support of some incredible local community members, our Board of Directors, local rotary clubs, First Federal Foundation, RAM Construction and Norcliffe Foundation. We are hopeful we can connect the last few dots and raise the final $75,000 needed to complete this project. We have no doubt that the community and our partners will support us in this goal.”
The total project cost is estimated to be $330,000 and the agency reports that to date the campaign has contributions of $255,000. This is a deferred amount, accounting for discounted materials and community partners stepping in to help defray some market rate pricing. “We are continually blown away by the generosity and kindness of our community,” said O’Connor. “It will take all of us together to create a strong and healthy future for all our children. Starting with ensuring that no child has to call a car ‘home.’”
To learn about the “Strengthening Families, Building Futures” campaign, make a gift of support or learn about the programs and services of Lydia Place contact, Shultzie Willows at 360-671-7663 ext 2001, email info@lydiaplace.org or visit lydiaplace.org today.
