Community Service Spotlight
by Alle Schene
Since its founding in the early 20th century, YWCA Bellingham has stood as a meaningful force for positive change — supporting women and families through social services, housing, advocacy, and community engagement. What began as a small local response to the needs of women in Bellingham has grown into a multifaceted nonprofit with deep roots in the city’s history and an expanding reach today. Our story of resilience and innovation reveals how the organization has evolved and what exciting opportunities lie ahead.
Historic Beginning
In 1906, a group of community leaders formed the first local YWCA, which focused on supporting women, particularly those coming from rural areas or overseas. Meetings were first held in private homes, and later in rented spaces like the public library, until momentum grew, and more structured efforts could begin.
In 1915, thanks to the generosity of local philanthropist Mrs. Charles X. Larrabee and her daughter Mary, the YWCA moved into its first permanent home at 1026 North Forest Street — a striking brick building that still serves as the organization’s historic headquarters today.
The Georgian Revival building, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, symbolized stability, and dignity. Its large rooms, welcoming spaces, and early amenities like a basement pool reflected a facility designed to be more than functional: it was meant to be a community hub and refuge for women.
photo courtesy the YWCA Bellingham
The headquarters building for the YWCA is located at 1026 N. Forest Street. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Expanding the Mission
Over the decades, YWCA Bellingham’s mission has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of individuals and families in Whatcom County. While the early years focused on employment support for new arrivals and local women, the organization broadened its services to include housing, emergency support, advocacy, and programs addressing structural inequities such as racism and gender discrimination.
Today, the YWCA is guided by a clear mission: eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Services now span housing programs, emergency shelter, support for survivors of violence, economic advancement opportunities through our social enterprise, Y’s Buys Thrift Boutique, and racial equity initiatives.
This shift toward comprehensive, holistic support reflects both organizational growth and responsiveness to systemic issues facing women — especially those experiencing homelessness, poverty, or discrimination. Programs include:
- Housing Services: From emergency shelters and interim housing to permanent supportive housing, YWCA Bellingham offers safe, stable places to live alongside wraparound case management.
- Emergency Shelters: Shortterm refuge for women, senior women, and women with children, facing crisis, domestic violence, or immediate housing insecurity.
- Racial Justice Initiatives: Programs such as the annual Racial Justice Challenge and our newly established Equity Coalition provide community education and action pathways for equity.
- Social Enterprise — Y’s Buys: The thrift boutique at 1224 North State Street provides affordable clothing and goods while generating revenue to support YWCA programs. The voucher system provides free clothing to those needing support.
Recent Growth
Housing insecurity and homelessness have become increasingly visible challenges in the Bellingham community. In response, YWCA Bellingham has significantly expanded its housing portfolio and support programs to fill critical service gaps.
In 2023, the organization acquired a new apartment building, marking a notable step in extending permanent supportive housing capacity.
One of YWCA Bellingham’s most significant recent achievements came in early 2025 with the opening of a new shelter on Lakeway Drive, created specifically for women and their young children. The facility was formally introduced to the community during a ribbon-cutting celebration on March 17, 2025. Featuring 19 private, secure living units and on-site supportive services, the shelter offers a unique, family-centered model that fills a critical gap in housing resources across the region.
Designed with stability and dignity in mind, the shelter departs from traditional short-term emergency models. Residents are not limited by rigid time constraints and instead receive individualized, comprehensive case management to help them move toward permanent housing. The facility also includes accommodations for pregnant women both before and after childbirth, addressing needs that are often unmet in conventional shelter environments.
The development of this new shelter was made possible through strong collaboration with local partners. Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham played key roles by providing substantial financial investment to support the building’s purchase, renovation, and long-term operations, underscoring a shared commitment to addressing housing insecurity for women and families.
Beyond expanding physical capacity, the Lakeway Drive shelter marks an important moment in YWCA Bellingham’s broader mission. It reflects a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by women and children experiencing housing instability, incorporates trauma-informed practices, and reinforces the organization’s leadership in shaping thoughtful, effective housing solutions within the community.
Looking Ahead
As YWCA Bellingham looks toward the next decade, its vision for the future is grounded in both experience and possibility. The organization is building on more than a century of service by continuing to expand programs that address immediate needs while also investing in long-term stability and leadership for women and families throughout Whatcom County.
Housing will remain at the heart of this work. Following the opening of the Lakeway Drive shelter, YWCA Bellingham is focused on moving beyond emergency responses toward more inclusive, long-term housing pathways. By strengthening partnerships and drawing on community resources, the organization aims to increase access to permanent supportive housing while enhancing the case management services that help individuals and families build independence, security, and a sense of home.
At the same time, YWCA Bellingham recognizes that lasting change also depends on opportunity and education. Initiatives such as the Young Women with Bright Futures Scholarship Program reflect this commitment by investing directly in the next generation of women leaders. Through financial support and recognition, the scholarship helps young women pursue their educational goals and envision futures shaped by confidence, leadership, and possibility.
Equity and justice continue to guide every aspect of the organization’s work. Through advocacy, community education, and collaborative initiatives, YWCA Bellingham is deepening its efforts to confront racism and gender-based inequities. These programs amplify voices that are too often marginalized and work to dismantle the systemic barriers that disproportionately affect women within under-served communities.
Community connection remains a defining strength of YWCA Bellingham’s approach. Through volunteer opportunities, public events, and social enterprises such as Y’s Buys Thrift Boutique, the organization creates spaces where community members can engage meaningfully in its mission. These efforts not only generate vital support for programs, but also foster a shared sense of responsibility and collective action.
The organization’s recent growth underscores the power of collaboration. The successful development of the Lakeway Drive shelter demonstrated what is possible when nonprofits, local government, and community partners align around a shared vision. Building on that momentum, YWCA Bellingham is poised to continue forging innovative partnerships that strengthen services, expand resources, and create more comprehensive solutions to homelessness, inequality, and social isolation in the years ahead.
Legacy of Transformation
From its humble beginnings in living rooms and rented halls over a century ago to a dynamic organization leading bold solutions for women and families today, YWCA Bellingham has continuously adapted without losing sight of its core mission. Its impact ripples across lives and neighborhoods — through homes found, voices raised, injustices confronted, and futures re-imagined.
In an era when social challenges demand creativity, compassion, and collaboration, YWCA Bellingham stands as both a historical institution and a forward-looking community partner. Our story reflects not just the evolution of a nonprofit, but the enduring strength of women and families in our community.
How You Can Help
YWCA Bellingham’s impact is powered by community support. You can help advance this work by volunteering, attending events, shopping, and donating gently used clothing at Y’s Buys Thrift Boutique, or advocating for housing stability, racial equity, and gender justice in our community.
Financial contributions are also vital. Donations directly support housing programs, scholarships, emergency services, and advocacy efforts that help women and families move toward stability and opportunity.
Learn more, get involved, or make a gift today at www.ywcabellingham.org. To donate, visit www.ywcabellingham.org/donate and help create lasting change in Whatcom County.
Follow YWCA Bellingham on social media for updates, events, and stories of impact on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Alle Schene is CEO of YWCA Bellingham, where she has served since 2016. With a background in finance and communications, she leads with purpose, driving initiatives that empower women, expand opportunities, and create safe, supportive spaces, while guiding a dedicated team committed to lasting community impact.
