Resources

Students have access to services such as consultations, intensive group therapy, and intensive brief individual therapy sessions, as well as an unlimited number of workshops and outreach events. Appointments are available virtually or in person in Old Main on the 5th floor. Contact the Counseling Center at 360-650-3164 between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The after-hours crisis counselor is available through this same number 24 hours a day.

The Student Health Center (SHC) is located in the Campus Services building and provides an extensive array of services including preventive health care and management of health concerns, illnesses, and injuries. Open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Check with the SHC for hours during intercession or break periods. Contact 360-650-3400 to make a virtual appointment or to speak to a nurse.

Free and Sliding Scale Clinics

Here are some on and off campus resources that offer help to students in need of food and shelter care or access to other resources and support.

Review this site for a comprehensive listing of scholarships available to WWU students.

Awards are limited to tuition, fees and other items included in cost of attendance. The total number of awards per fiscal year is dependent on limited available funds. Students must have exhausted all other financial aid options prior to appealing for hardship assistance from Woodring.

Apply Here

Emergency Loans are available to WWU students who need funding on a short term basis. Emergency loans are available for 30, 60, or 90 days. This loan program can be helpful to students in between paychecks, or those who are experiencing a delay in financial aid disbursement, or have some other short term cash flow difficulty.

Located in Miller Hall 150, the Center for Education, Equity, and Diversity has a food pantry that has a fridge, freezer, and shelf-stable products. Some produce comes from a partnership with ACME Farms.

The pantry is open weekdays from 10:00 am–5pm.The pantry is restocked every Thursday.

For more information, contact Grey Webster.

Drop off or pick up food at the pantry located across from the Main office on the 3rd floor of Fairhaven College and open when Fairhaven College is open. Shelf stable produce as well as non-perishable items and personal care items are available.

Located across from office 257 in the Communications Facility. All students are invited to take what they need in this space. For more information, contact Betsy O’Donovan.

WWU’s 5-acre, student-driven farm on south campus is a home for all students engage in ecosystem restoration, community building, and food justice. It is located between Fairhaven and Buchanan Towers.

Swipe Out Hunger allows students to donate or request unused meal “swipes” to help students facing food insecurity. Any meal plan holder can donate unused swipes to help Western students secure food on campus, and any current Western student can request meals.

WWU Associated Students provides a food pantry on campus for university community members facing food insecurity. The pantry includes non-perishable food and personal care products such as shampoo and toothpaste. The WHOLE Food Pantry is located in VU 435.

The Bellingham Food Bank serves as a hub, connecting neighbors and emergency food providers with a steady supply of nutritious groceries, fresh food and a smile. It has options for anyone to shop in the downtown location, have a weekly pick-up option, or request a home delivery.

Snohomish County Food Bank serves weekly groceries as well as provides social services to residents living within the Snohomish School District boundaries.

Food Distribution Hours: Tues 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm; Fri 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Location: 1330 Ferguson Park Road (behind The National Guard Armory, Fire Station and Haggen Grocery off Avenue D).

Arlington Community Food Bank: “We strive to provide fresh & local produce, breads, bakery items, dairy, quality meats, and other pantry essentials.”

19118 63rd Avenue NE Arlington WA.

Mon, 5-6:30; Wed 5-6:30; Fri Noon-1:30.

Everett VOA Food Bank: “Our food banks, food pantries, and distribution center all exist to tackle hunger in our community and also serve as touchpoints to connect our neighbors with other basic needs.”

1230 Broadway, Everett, (425) 259-3191 ext. 13014.

Mon/Wed/Thu: 10:00 – 2:00. 2nd and 4th Tuesday: 3:00-6:00.

The mission of the Bremerton Foodline is to provide food assistance and other services to reduce hunger and improve self-sufficiency for those within our community.

1600 12th St. Bremerton (across from Bremerton high School).

Mon – Thurs 10:00 – 1:30.

The Whatcom Asset Building Coalition does not want those who must live on a budget to think that a balanced diet is out of reach. There are various organizations in the community that provide support to help teach you how to cook and eat delicious and nutritious meals.

Washington Basic Food Program: Basic Food (the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program in WA), helps people make ends meet by providing monthly benefits to buy food. If you receive Basic Food benefits and have an EBT card, you can make eligible purchases at Miller Market.

The Office of Student Life can issue a room on Bellingham campus in a temporary, shared space when someone needs short-term, emergency housing. If you or someone you know does not have secure housing or has other urgent housing needs, contact the Office of Student Life at student.life@wwu.edu or call 360-650-3706.

Western Success Scholars is a campus-based supportive program designed to assist all incoming WWU first-year, transfer, and continuing students who have experienced foster care or homelessness. The program fosters academic success and a sense of community and belonging by providing a place where students can have a voice, support services, and resources as they persist towards graduation. Contact Lorrie Bortuzzo at bortuzl@wwu.edu or 360-650-4133 with any questions.

Whatcom County Crisis Services: Information for immediate services for shelter, food, clothing and mental health care.

The Whatcom Homeless Service Center coordinates many of the housing resources in Whatcom County and helps link consumers to appropriate services.

211 is a phone number for people to call for health and human service information and referrals and other assistance to meet their needs. Washington 211 maintains a statewide database of community resources. Call 211 or visit the website to find local food, shelter and other resources.

Northwest Youth Services serves people ages 13-24 experiencing homelessness in Whatcom and Skagit Counties. They support youth in identifying goals and building the skills necessary to reach their own sense of stability. NWYS offers housing, street outreach, help finding a job or

enrolling in school, connection to mental health services, support for LGBTQ youth, restorative justice for juvenile offenders, and referrals to other services in the community.

Off Campus Living is available to assist on the basics of renting, your rights and responsibilities as a tenant, and creating community. Their website lists important links on safety, commuting, and getting to know the Bellingham area and an off-campus listing to help you find a place to live.

Contact Julia Burns at burnsj21@wwu.edu or 360-650-6863 with any questions.

The Opportunity Council is a private, non-profit Community Action agency serving homeless and low-income families and individuals. They offer a broad scope of services ranging from addressing immediate and crisis-oriented needs (food, emergency shelter, eviction-prevention) to longer-term programs that promote self-sufficiency in our community (early childhood education, home weatherization).

Residence Hall Reuse Program: on-campus residents can rent approved appliances and items that were donated by previous residents.

Contact housing.sustainability@wwu.edu with any questions.

The Lighthouse Mission provides a drop in center, a men’s shelter and extended stay shelter, as well as the Agape Home for women and children escaping victimization or homelessness.

The Office of Student Life is available to assist WWU students, especially those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness, in accessing financial resources to support basic needs, such as help with a housing deposit, short-term emergency housing, or use of a laptop.

You may arrange an intake appointment by contacting student.life@wwu.edu.

The ACP is a federal program that helps low-income households pay for broadband service and internet connected devices.

Various local Whatcom County providers can be contacted to schedule an appointment and assist you in receiving WIC services. For more information, see the Washington State Department of Health.

Offers assistance with preparing and filing taxes. Visit the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, typically from February through April of each year

The Career Services Center in Old Main 280 provides the WWU Career Closet. Students/alumni can acquire free professional business attire appropriate for job or grad school interviews, networking events, or career fairs.

Schedule an appointment to visit the Career Closet by visiting the Center in Old Main 280 or calling 360-650-4240 between 8-5, M-F. Contact Britta Eschete at brittale@wwu.edu with any questions.

Use Financial Aid’s Student Employment site or Career Service’s Handshake to look for on or off campus employment.

Contact StudentEmployment@wwu.edu or 360-650-3158 for more information.

The Community Action Partnership (CAP) is a national anti-poverty movement that dates back to 1964, when it was established through the Economic Opportunity Act. The CAP supports a variety of programs and strategies to help individuals and families overcome the effects of poverty and improve their economic situations.