On Wednesday, Jan. 28, a group of five students from Whatcom Community College (WCC) – Tristan Morrison, Keadon Lynn, Rhya Segault, Lluvia Quintero, and Eava Wood – walked the streets of downtown Bellingham, passing out care packages that included a sweets, jerky in each bag along with cooked spaghetti, and a bottle of water, and a handwritten Bible verse.
Hoping to do their part to help the unhoused community in downtown Bellingham, these students highlighted the importance of caring for others, noting how easy it can be to find yourself in need.
“It truly only takes one missed paycheck, getting fired from a job, or struggles with addiction to completely change your life,” said the group’s organizer Wood, who has come close to experiencing homelessness herself.
According to the Bellingham Herald, last year over 800 people experienced homelessness in Whatcom County. This issue has only grown more challenging over the past few years, as have the conflicting voices expressing opinions on how to deal with the problem. This particular group wants to advocate for a compassionate approach.
“I really like helping people, and I’m very blessed to not struggle the way I see others struggling, and so I just like to give back,” said Lynn, who has been a member of this informal group of friends since he met Wood as a neighbor.
Lynn hopes that more people are inspired by their group’s actions to join in giving back to their community, as does organizer Wood, who sees the group and the people it helps as being interdependent.
“The most important thing to me is creating these connections and building a community that people can lean on for support, even if it is just for a meal or some snacks,” said Wood.
Wood explained how she enjoys taking time to prepare a home-cooked meal and goodie bags to hand out.
Part of Wood’s inspiration for her group follows upon the recent death of her mother. “She had been experiencing homelessness in New Mexico for quite some time,” explained Wood, “and struggled with addiction.” Wood also added that “I think doing this project I have had on my mind for such a long time, right now, has made me feel closer to her, and has been a way to honor her.”
Wood hopes to inspire others to give back to an underprivileged community, the members of which she loves to help. Wood feels that the more people helping to give back, the better, and she is considering starting a WCC club or association to get more students involved.
The problem of homelessness is still very prevalent in Bellingham and previous attempts to address it have not always been effective or compassionate. Recently Whatcom County has come out with a 5-year plan to make it easier and more affordable for people to obtain housing. As we move forward, forms of community outreach from groups like Wood and Lynn’s are instrumental to keeping people fed while Whatcom works on solutions.
Lynn said, “A lot of people I meet here are just so kind and good people who really try their best and just have their struggles.”
As for right now, the group’s activities happen spontaneously, as they don’t have set dates for when they go out and give back to the community, but they are hoping that others will express interest and join them.
This article was written collaboratively by Soren Chavez and Bryce Harbin.
