UCNW's The Way Station Brings Much Needed Services to Community

What started as a vision in 2017 between Unity Care NW’s (UCNW) Chief Strategy Officer and their former CEO, finally became a reality when the doors of The Way Station opened in November of 2024.

The Way Station tangibly supports essential health needs and helps restore dignity for community members experiencing homelessness, including key hygiene and social services. UCNW sees hygiene services as a critical basic need and hopes that by meeting this need, it will help unhoused community members feel more comfortable using additional lifesaving CHC services that are available.

In the planning stage, UCNW approached like-minded community organizations who could support providing these services. They worked closely with PeaceHealth, Opportunity Council and Whatcom County. Whatcom County convened a homeless strategies workgroup which identified a facility offering showers, laundry, and support services as a top community priority.

After many years of planning and delays caused by the pandemic, the Way Station opened its door thanks to a combination of local, state and federal funding, along with private donations. It initially opened with primary medical services, restrooms and showers, and laundry facilities. Respite care was added early in 2025 with 16 beds for individuals discharged from the hospital who need a temporary, supportive place to heal.

While patrons are there, UCNW builds relationships and trust to incentivize deeper care around behavioral health, substance use and chronic disease. They hope to help facilitate and encourage the patrons’ interest in engaging with their health care team.

The Way Station is operated through a partnership between UCNW, Opportunity Council, PeaceHealth and Whatcom County Health and Community Services. While services for people experiencing homelessness operate on the first floor, upstairs office space are occupied by several Bellingham and Whatcom County social services programs including the Homeless Outreach Team, the Alternative Response Team and the GRACE and LEAD programs that integrate law enforcement and service providers.

The facility provides a range of integrated services that include:

▪ Primary medical care

▪ Behavioral health services

▪ Substance use disorder treatment

▪ Case management

▪ Showers

▪ Laundry facilities

▪ Restrooms

▪ Medical respite and meals

Initially UCNW thought they would serve around 750 individuals during the first year of The Way Station. By July, the number of individuals who have used the services has surpassed 1000. Unity Care NW, along with their partners, clearly saw the need and met it for those who truly needed it.