As we plan to do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we want to update you on the changes we have made at The Whatcom Dream.
Group classes and in-person appointments are currently suspended. Our office at 1846 Iron St, Bellingham WA 98225 is temporarily closed, but our staff is working remotely. An on-line class is in the works and will be operational as soon as possible.
Many of our participants are already being impacted by workplace closures. We recognize the stress, confusion and upset this may cause. If you are a former or current student and need help identifying helpful resources in the community, please give us a call. We will do our best to help you navigate this difficult time.
Helpful tips and resources:
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Spend your resources as sparingly as possible, prioritizing food, shelter and medical needs.
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If you do not have a bank account, consider opening one up online. Businesses, government and social aid agencies can quickly and easily transfer funds into an existing bank account. If you don't have a bank account, this can complicate the process of getting the help you need in a timely manner.
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The Community Resource List is a database of community resource information. If you want to find a particular resource, just dial 211 on your telephone and you can talk to a Volunteers of America North Sound operator. Information is available in both English and Spanish.
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The Community Resource List is also available online at the Opportunity Council Resources Guide website. You will find helpful resources for landlord/tenant issues, child care, food access, employment resources, legal issues and much more. Visit them at or (360) 734-5121.
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When looking for assistance, it is best to try to contact an agency online whenever possible. Long phone wait times are less efficient and most businesses are flooded with phone calls right now.
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Remember that this is a temporary crisis. As a community, we will get through this by following the Whatcom County Health Department recommendations and caring for one another. Take care and stay healthy everyone!
Feel free to contact us via email or phone.
Email: info@thewhatcomdream.org
Phone #: 360-306-8324
Since 1999, The Whatcom Dream has been providing financial literacy services to the Whatcom County community. But, to achieve a worthy dream it takes more than financial knowledge.
Among other things, it takes education/instruction, motivation, perseverance,
and access to programs that are relevant to one's circumstances. It also takes organizational partnership.
Thank you Whatcom Educational Credit Union, for partnering with us to make financial literacy available for everyone in Whatcom County, and now for our Spanish speaking residents as well!
About Us
To truly help a person, we must understand them. We must take into consideration the context in which they live their daily lives. To help someone become financially literate, we must consider the socio-economic culture they grew up in.
Each of the socio-economic cultures we focus on (Poverty, Middle Class, and Wealth) have distinct ideas about how to handle money, what success in daily life looks like and what relationships should look like.
Our students begin by identifying where they, themselves come from socio-economically, and carefully examine ideas and paradigms picked up along the way. Then, they look at other socio-economic cultural perspectives and determine if there are any useful ideas to adopt as they make their way toward a dream, such as buying a house, pursuing education or starting a business.
Poverty IQ Workshops
To truly help someone, we must commit to understanding the context in which they live their daily lives. This workshop is on the research by Ruby K. Payne PhD and her Aha! Process team. Our 1 and 1/2 hour presentation helps people better understand the culture of poverty in North America. This is particularly important for teachers, social workers and other human service professionals who work with people who grew up in generational poverty. Understanding why a person makes a certain choice or decision can bring much insight to the situation.
If you are interested in having a workshop at your workplace, or for a group you attend, give us a call at (360) 306-8324.
Poverty Simulation Events
Through our Walk A Mile Poverty Simulation Events, we have the potential to make a positive change while creating awareness in our community. Our poverty simulation lets people experience a taste of what daily life is like for a low income person. Each participant gets an identity and a set of resources to start. Their goal is to stay housed, fed, safe and healthy while also getting to work or school each day. Participants experience four fifteen minute "weeks" in the simulation. At the end, we debrief and talk about what we, individually and communally, can do to help our neighbors who live this reality every day. Our next scheduled Poverty Simulation will be at Lynden High School on May 26th. For more information, please give us a call at (360) 306-8324. We look forward to talking with you!
Financial Literacy Classes
Online classes coming soon!
Our goal is to provide access to financial literacy to all Whatcom County residents. With access to the right resources, people can become empowered by their own abilities and gain the confidence to fulfill their potential. Our eight-week classes cover basic financial principals in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. The cost for an eight-week class is twenty dollars, and scholarships are available as well. We have classes going all year long, in various times and locations throughout the county.
Here are some of the topics covered in our classes:
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Socio-economic Background
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Values and Goals
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Budgeting
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Debt Management
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Credit Repair
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Consumerism
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Transportation
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Insurance
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Home Ownership
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and more!
Contact Us!
We look forward to speaking with you!
