Submitted by Unity Care NW
The Way Station’s Hygiene Center, a much-anticipated facility designed to serve individuals experiencing homelessness in Bellingham, opened on Tuesday, November 12th. Essential shower, laundry, and restroom facilities will be available Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 3:00pm. Comprehensive health care services will launch on November 19th, and a Respite Center, with 16 beds for people with referrals from PeaceHealth is scheduled to open in early 2025.
Facility Highlights
Located at 1500 N. State Street, The Way Station provides a range of critical services:
- Hygiene Amenities: Beginning November 12, Unity Care NW will manage a suite of hygiene services including showers, laundry, and restroom facilities, promoting dignity and personal care among Bellingham’s homeless community.
- Health Services: From November 19, Unity Care NW will offer tailored health care, including substance use disorder treatment options, to address the specific needs of the homeless population.
- Medical Respite: Early in 2025, The Way Station will open a respite program for individuals discharged from the hospital who need a temporary, supportive place to heal. This program, managed by the Opportunity Council in collaboration with PeaceHealth, will offer medical respite to help prevent readmission and allow individuals to recover safely.
- Community Collaboration: As a unique partnership between health care providers and social services, The Way Station is designed to address barriers that prevent homeless individuals from accessing housing and support. Case management will be provided by the Opportunity Council, along with other services to help visitors transition toward stable housing.
Key Staff and Leadership
Unity Care NW is pleased to welcome two key leaders to The Way Station’s team: Don Cook, appointed as the Health & Hygiene Manager, and Anne Slater, ARNP, joining as the Medical Provider.
Don Cook has been with Unity Care NW for over two decades, beginning in customer service and advancing to roles in outreach and enrollment. His extensive experience with the organization, serving over 24,000 patients in Bellingham and Ferndale, has made him a well-known figure in the community. Cook’s commitment to connecting individuals with essential services and resources positions him as an invaluable asset for The Way Station.
Reflecting on his role, Cook shared his enthusiasm for the initiative: “In my 20 years here, I’ve seen the barriers to healthcare many people without homes face. With walk-in services, they will get the medical and behavioral health care they need, and Community Health Workers will help them find resources and build trust.”
Anne Slater, ARNP, brings 25 years of experience with Unity Care NW, including a focus on community health and underserved populations. With both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Nursing, Slater has dedicated her career to improving access to care for those most in need. She is motivated by the potential of The Way Station to bridge gaps in health care for Bellingham’s homeless population.
Slater expressed her optimism: “It has the potential to alleviate acute suffering and provide a crucial bridge to more comprehensive health care. By addressing immediate health needs and connecting individuals to ongoing support, we hope to achieve better health outcomes and improve quality of life.”
Supporting The Way Station
Unity Care NW welcomes the community’s support to help sustain these services. Monthly recurring gifts can be made at ucnw.org/GiveMonthlyWS. Every contribution helps provide compassionate care and essential services to individuals experiencing homelessness in Bellingham.
