Some stories are built one decision at a time. A leap of faith, a shared commitment, a letter home from halfway around the world. In 1970, serving in Cambodia during the Vietnam War, Dick Skeers was given an unexpected chance to return home early on the condition that he pursue graduate school. “I wrote Sharon right...
Hi neighbors, After a record return of Chinook salmon in Whatcom Creek last month, we find ourselves reflecting on a season full of both challenge and renewal. While the federal shutdown has tested systems and stretched communities, Whatcom Creek offered a quiet triumph; the work of salmon recovery seems to be paying off. It's a reminder that steady...
Are you ready to make a real difference in your community? The Youth Philanthropy Project invites high school students from across Whatcom County to step into the role of community changemaker. As part of this leadership program, you’ll learn how philanthropy works from the inside—exploring local issues, reviewing grant proposals, and deciding how to invest...
Local News is a Public Good That Connects Communities. Press Forward Washington (PFWA), a collaborative initiative led by community foundations statewide, is launching a search for its inaugural Director. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary leader to help revitalize independent media, amplify diverse voices, and strengthen democracy across Washington. Why Local News & Information Matters Unbiased,...
Hi neighbors, Although life is always uncertain, these days it is especially so. Which makes our spring THRIVE topic even more relevant, if not easier to discuss. While family violence is a serious and distressing topic most people would rather avoid, the best chance of vanquishing it begins with frank conversation and a commitment to individual...
Hi neighbors, We’re doing our best to keep up with fast-moving federal policy and program changes and their local effects. As I write, news has just broken that some $12 billion in federal health funding to states to track infectious disease and provide mental health and addiction treatment has been terminated. In our recent survey of local...
