In parallel, we seek opportunities to support long-term solutions to ongoing issues. We know that finding and implementing long-term solutions takes time and it can look boring from a funding perspective. That can make funding and implementation hard! At Chuckanut our goal is a robust, equitable, and healthy community; we know that only enduring, future-forward solutions will get us there. We’re here to support those solutions.
To that end, in late 2023 we reached out to Lydia Place. They’re a non-profit that has been on our radar for some time and we were interested in supporting their work. Lydia Place’s mission is to disrupt the cycle of homelessness and promote sustained independence for current and future generations. We know that there are short-term solutions to eliminating homelessness and that ultimately the goal is to break the cycle of poverty.
One of my favorite aspects of this project was how willing suppliers and subcontractors were to jump in and support it. Forest was the Project Manager for the project and in standard community building fashion he asked a few local businesses for help and man, did they show up! Bellingham Millwork donated lumber, fasteners and a door; One Stop Interiors donated flooring and installation; CAZ Construction donated and installed a heat pump; Northshore Electric donated and completed the electrical; Spectrum Plumbing completed and donated the plumbing; and we donated labor, management and other materials as needed. What an amazing outpouring of support!