FAQs
What is Lighthouse Mission Ministries?
Lighthouse Mission Ministries (LMM) is a Whatcom County nonprofit organization that aims to be a consistent friend to people experiencing homelessness. This is done through four distinct programs that come alongside people, wherever they are, to offer hope, give dignity, serve and support as they undertake the difficult work of leaving homelessness behind. LMM was founded in 1923 by Thomas and Elizabeth Boston and has changed locations in its 100+ years. On Oct. 28, 2024, LMM moved its services from 1530 Cornwall Ave. to 1312 F St.
What are LMM’s three main buildings?
We have three buildings. Our main location, Base Camp, is a five-story, 75,000 square-foot facility. You can read more about it here. Across the street from Base Camp, we have our men’s recovery (Ascent) and our women’s recovery (Agape) shelters.
Is the Mission still called Base Camp?
Base Camp is the umbrella term used to describe all residential shelter programs within the main mission building. Within Base Camp, we have three program levels. Our entry-level is an Emergency Overnight Shelter (60 beds). Our Enhanced Shelter programs are located on the fourth and fifth floors and include our main Men’s/Women’s dorm, Respite dorms, Behavioral Health dorms and Family dorm. All programs are 90 days in length, with an opportunity to receive extensions on a case-by-case basis.
What is Enhanced Shelter?
The enhanced shelter model provides tiered programming designed to promote engagement and personal growth. Participants in enhanced and specialty programs consistently show greater success in achieving stability and personal growth compared to those in the Emergency Overnight Shelter. With increased engagement, individuals in higher-level programs often secure housing, employment or recovery milestones at a faster rate while we are able to meet their unique needs. This consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of this model in breaking the cycle of homelessness.
Why do Emergency Overnight Shelter residents need to leave the property during the day?
The base camp emergency shelter serves as the entry point, where staff help residents identify their goals and assess their motivation. Prolonged homelessness often leads to depression and a sense of defeat, making it easy to fall into stagnation. To counter this, residents are required to leave the property daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., engaging in prosocial activities, which include things that directly address stated goals or personal health and well-being. This approach encourages motivation and action while incentivizing progression to higher-level programs, which require less off-site time—such as enhanced and specialty shelters, where residents only leave from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Staff provide several engagement opportunities on-site that Base Camp residents can participate in, granting them access to remain on property during the day. These opportunities are meant to increase engagement with staff and deepen relationships, leading to greater healing. Staff also provides a detailed list of safe and accessible locations & activities that a resident can use during this time if they do not wish to participate in on-site offerings.
Any resident who is considered especially vulnerable is granted permission to remain onsite.
If I leave for one night after I time out, can I come back for another stay?
There is an incremental waiting period applied every time a resident times out of services OR receives an exit for rule violations. The first instance: 30-day waiting period, the second instance: 60-day waiting period, the third instance: 90-day waiting period.
Can I have mail sent here?
Yes, residents can receive mail and packages at our address. It is very helpful if they have indicated what floor they are housed on when giving their address to family or service providers. We will hold resident mail for 14 days, and they are responsible to collect it from the welcome desk. If not collected within 14 days, mail will be returned.
Why do Enhanced Shelter residents get to come back at lunchtime?
As part of our Enhanced Shelter, these residents are working hard at achieving their goals and working closely with a case manager. They have access to their dorm at 2 p.m. each day after lunch. This is another way we can recognize their efforts and their commitment to participating in a program and provide them with additional privileges here at Base Camp.
Can I be on suboxone/ methadone and move upstairs into the Enhanced Shelter?
Yes, it is possible that a person on a MAT program can stay at Lighthouse Mission Base Camp in our EON or Enhanced Shelter. These situations are handled on a case-by-case basis.
People say they are restricted for life and can’t go to the Mission. Does that happen?
It is very rare that someone would not be allowed at the Mission for an extended period of time. Brief restrictions are put in place when there have been violations of safety guidelines. Occasionally, someone will be trespassed for safety reasons. However, LMM is always interested in creating a pathway back to services or providing a referral to other services. The individual can always call the Mission’s main line and get information on their stay history.
How can I donate to LMM?
We appreciate any financial assistance you can provide. And, there’s tax benefits to donating to organizations as well. To donate by mail or set up an automatic withdrawal through your bank, download and complete this form and include it with your donation. Visit this link for more information. Our mailing address is below:
Lighthouse Mission Ministries
PO Box 648
Bellingham, WA 98227
Is LMM currently hiring?
We appreciate any help, whether it’s full-time, part-time, seasonal or internship positions. Visit our website here to see what positions are available.
How can I intern at LMM?
We appreciate any help, whether it’s full-time, part-time, seasonal or internship positions. Visit our website here to find out more about our three types of internships.
How can I volunteer at LMM?
Our volunteers are the unsung heroes of the Mission. Visit our website here to find out about our year-round volunteer opportunities. Or, you can contact our Director of Community Engagement Bailee Barz at baileeb@thelighthousemission.org.
What should I do if I know someone experiencing homelessness and want them to find LMM?
If you know of someone experiencing homelessness, we would like you to contact Intake Coordinator Jay Grove by email at jonathang@thelighthousemission.org or by phone at 360-733-5120 ext. 218. This will allow us to see if we have space for another resident and so that we can schedule an intake interview with them.
What’s a common misconception about homelessness?
A common misconception we hear about homelessness is that everyone on the street is the same. We have residents between the ages of 18-91 years old who are seeking shelter for a variety of reasons, some include fleeing abuse, battling economic issues, job insecurity and mental health and other health issues.
What makes LMM different from other homeless services and shelters?
LMM’s commitment is to help people discover their inherent worth and value as members of our community. Our hope and vision for our residents is not merely survival but also to be thriving members of our community.
Who can I contact about social media, website or other marketing/communications inquiries?
Please send all inquiries to Marketing and Communications Coordinator Taras McCurdie. He can be contacted at tarasm@thelighthousemission.org.
