Questions?
We have answers.

We serve individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Bellingham and Whatcom County. Our emergency shelter is low-barrier and open to anyone. Our recovery programs serve single men, single women, and women with infants up to 12 months of age.

Yes. We are a faith-based Christian nonprofit. Our faith is the foundation of everything we do. However, residents are not required to share our faith to receive services. Residents are not required to share our faith or participate in faith based activities to receive services.

No. Chapel and spiritual programming are available to all residents and are an important part of our community life, but participation is never a requirement for receiving shelter, meals, or program services.

No. Lighthouse Mission is 100% funded by individuals, businesses, churches, and foundations in this community. We receive no government funding. Every dollar we spend comes from the generosity of people like you.

Since 1923. We were founded by Thomas and Elizabeth Boston and have been serving Bellingham for over 100 years.

Yes. Lighthouse Mission Ministries is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. All gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Our EIN is 91-0659437.

Yes. We accept gifts of appreciated stock, cryptocurrency, and grants from donor-advised funds. Visit our Ways to Give page for details and links to our giving portal.

Absolutely. Planned gifts are one of the most meaningful ways to support the Mission long-term. Visit our Planned Giving section on the Ways to Give page to explore your options through our FreeWill partnership at no cost.

Yes. You will receive an acknowledgment letter for all gifts, which serves as your tax receipt. For questions about donation records, contact our donor relations team at 360-671-1562.

Yes, and we encourage it. Monthly giving is the most powerful way to support Lighthouse Mission because it allows us to plan ahead and serve more people with confidence. Visit our Ways to Give page to set up a recurring gift.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to serve independently. Youth groups and families are welcome with adult supervision. Contact our volunteer coordinator Becca for details.

No experience needed. Our staff will orient you before your first shift and support you throughout.

Yes. We welcome volunteer groups from churches, schools, businesses, and community organizations. Contact our volunteer coordinator in advance to arrange a group visit.

No. You can sign up for a single shift or volunteer on a recurring basis. Whatever works for your schedule.

Meal service, facility support, program support, office and admin, events, and group volunteering. Visit our Volunteer page for a full overview of available roles.

Base Camp is our emergency shelter, the front door to everything we do. It is open 24/7 and serves anyone in immediate need. We also offer additional tiered programing to meet the needs of residents who have shorter-term needs. Including men and women's dorms, medical respite, family dorms, and eventually behavioral health. These are all intensive clean and sober programs with case management. Ascent and Agape Home are our long-term residential recovery programs for men and women who are ready to address the deeper roots of their homelessness, including addiction and trauma. These programs last up to two years.

Residents follow a structured daily schedule that includes individual case management, group sessions, life skills classes, chapel services, and work activities. Structure is a core part of the recovery model because it builds the habits and routines that support lasting change.

Some residents enter Ascent or Agape Home through a referral from shelter operations after completing an intake and assessment with a case manager. We also accept many referrals from outside organizations and community partners.

No. All services at Lighthouse Mission are provided at no cost to participants.

Our hope is that graduates leave with stable housing, employment support, and an ongoing relationship with the Mission. We do our best to continue to walk alongside our alumni as they build their new lives in the community.

Residents are asked to leave the property from 8am to 5pm each day to engage in purposeful activity, whether that is job searching, appointments, or other goals. This structure helps residents stay active and forward-moving rather than falling into the stagnation that prolonged homelessness can bring. Staff work with each person to ensure this requirement is manageable for their situation. Activities are also offered onsite on a daily basis for residents to participate in.

Yes. Tours are available Tuesdays from 1:00pm to 4:00pm and Thursdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Groups, individuals, families, and faith communities of all sizes are welcome. To schedule a tour, fill out the form on our About us page or send a message to contact@thelighthousemission.org.

Yes. Our building at 1312 F Street is fully accessible with ramps and elevators throughout.

Main line: 360-733-5120. For donations and donor questions: 360-671-1562.

Base Camp is a five-story, 75,000 square foot building purpose-built for therapeutic shelter design. It opened in October 2024 and has been nationally recognized as a model for what a modern shelter can look like.