Whatcom County Resettlement

World Relief's Whatcom County location was approved by the U.S. State Department in September 2021. Shortly after the fall of Kabul and amidst many Afghans arriving to the U.S., our team began welcoming families in Bellingham and beyond.

Whatcom's current focus is on refugee reception and placement, securing housing, helping children get into school, and offering various youth programs. As our capacity grows, we eagerly look forward to offering more services throughout Whatcom County.

Services in Whatcom

Refugee Resettlement

In partnership with the U.S. Department of State, we welcome refugees and support them during the initial resettlement period - the first 90 days after arrival. Whether it’s securing housing, supplying basic necessities, or enrolling children in school, we come alongside these families every step of the way as they begin a path to belonging.

In our first year, we have resettled over 30 individuals throughout Whatcom County.

Learn More about Resettlement

Youth & Family Services

Whatcom County offers Family Literacy class throughout the school year and piloted a summer academy in 2022.

Family Literacy class is a space for limited-English parents and their children ages 0-5 to come and engage in English lessons through age-appropriate learning activities.

Our summer academy was an opportunity for students of refugee and immigrant backgrounds to build community with other youth, strengthen soft developmental skills, and have fun!

Check Out All WRWW Youth & Family Services

Immigration Legal Services

English Classes

Housing Survey

Housing - both temporary and long-term, is essential for newly arriving refugees. This form aims to collect some basic data on housing being offered by generous folks like yourself.

Whatcom County Hosting Interest Form

Volunteer

Bring your gifts, abilities, and interests to build mutually transformative relationships with our new neighbors. Find a volunteer role and start the onboarding process today!

Volunteer Oppourtunities

Learning Resources

Check out these resources for further learning. Each have been suggested by panelists, volunteers, and other organizations partnered with World Relief.

Learning Resources

Donate Now

Your generosity makes a transformative and lifelong impact. When you give, you are investing in our welcoming community.

GIVE BY CHECK

Send to:

World Relief Western Washington
23835 Pacific Hwy S Suite 100
Kent, WA 98032

WHY DONATE?

Refugee resettlement agencies operate on a mix of government funds, grants and private donations. The government funds and grants often cover the most basic needs of refugees upon being resettled—the first few months’ worth of expenses, essentially—but private donors are essential to an agency that seeks to provide holistic care. Privately raised funds enable agencies to expand and strengthen the services they provide beyond the basics to walking alongside refugees as they integrate and flourish in their new community.

Refugee Roundtable Webinars

An Insider’s Perspective on Refugee/Asylee Resettlement

Our first webinar—“An Insider’s Perspective on Refugee/Asylee Resettlement”—was well-attended, with over 50 devices connected for an hour-long session last week. Our panelists were two individuals who have experienced refugee resettlement from “the inside” as refugees/asylum seekers themselves. Zoom recording below. (Unfortunately the first few minutes of the call were not recorded—apologies for the inconvenience)

Watch Webinar

From Kabul to Bellingham

When will Afghan refugees be arriving to Whatcom County, and how can we help? This question has been at the heart of many emails and phone calls we’ve received over the past couple of weeks. While the answers are still somewhat unclear, we would like to update you on the progress of our refugee project and give you the chance to hear directly from an Afghan who immigrated to the U.S. several years ago. Join us as we hear his story, and learn of ways we can prepare as individuals and a community to welcome these potential new neighbors to our community.

Watch Webinar

Cultural Humility and Trauma Informed Care

We all come with different backgrounds and experiences that shape how well we are able to support and work with others. Lack of awareness can lead us to unwittingly do harm to those we mean to help. Learn from two experts how to interact in healing ways with our diverse neighbors-both those resettling from other countries, and the people from our own community whom we will be working alongside in this effort. Our panelists shared important insights to help us truly connect with those who are different from us and minimize further harm to those who have faced trauma.

Watch Webinar