One person donating $10 might not seem like much, but 2,000 people? That’s a different story—and it’s why community participation is key.
We believe that folks in Whatcom and Skagit have justice and equity at the forefront of their minds. We know how much this community wants to make a difference. And we also understand that, when it comes to addressing systemic issues, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
We’re not going to sugarcoat it: youth homelessness is a problem. However, we believe it’s a problem that can be solved. Everyone can play a role in ending youth homelessness, not just the wealthiest among us. There are lots of ways to step up, from volunteering to donating new and gently-used goods—but one of the easiest (and most effective) ways is to become a Love Warrior.
A Love Warrior is an individual deeply committed to their community, offering monthly donations that directly support our mission to eradicate youth homelessness in Whatcom and Skagit counties. The services we offer extend beyond basic needs, encompassing a holistic, healing-centered care model, including initiatives like Queer Youth Services and Teen Court. Our approach is aimed at fostering long-term growth and resilience in young people, but to sustain these vital services, we rely on continuous support from the community.
What is a "Love Warrior"?
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Total Number of Love Warriors
93
Our Goal by 2025
200
Thanks to the support of the community, Love Warriors receive discounts at a variety of local businesses.
Antler Baking Co.
Free Sticker
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The Blue Room
20% off show tickets
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elSage
Free elSage made sticker
Mallard's
10% off all items
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Ragfinery
10% off all items
The Racket
15% off food orders
Banter
15% off beverages
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Cafe Velo
Free drink with sandwich purchase
Julian & Company
Get 10% off our commission, applicable towards Closing Costs for any property purchase with us.
MW Soapworks
15% off regular priced items
Third Planet
15% off ONE item
Wild Material
25% off any item
Bellingham Integrative Massage
15% off all payments at the time of service (doesn't include insurance)
Cafe Blue
10% off purchase
Makeworth
Free drip with any purchase
Pickford Theater
Discounted ticket and a free popcorn
T&M (Time & Materials)
$1 off every pint
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WinkWInk
10% discount
“Love Warriors are those who have decided to cut radically against the grain and attempt to engage in forms of care and concern for others. They have a hypersensitivity to the suffering of others. They are willing to give oneself, to emptying oneself, to give whatever gifts one has cultivated to make the world a better place.”
- Dr. Cornel West
Why Support NWYS?
Becoming a Love Warrior offers an enhanced connection to Northwest Youth Services through personalized communications, events, and community incentives. Love Warriors have a front-row seat to witness the tangible impacts their donations are making, allowing them to engage directly with the positive changes they are driving in the lives of young people in Whatcom and Skagit counties. This unique level of involvement ensures that Love Warriors are not just supporters but active participants in the journey toward ending youth homelessness.
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We address a vital need. According to this annual report, one in seven individuals experiencing homelessness in Whatcom County were under the age of 18. During the 2021-22 school year, approximately 3.5% of students enrolled in the Whatcom County public school system experienced a housing crisis.
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Our services have a tangible impact. In 2022, our programming served 1,300 young people in Whatcom and Skagit. Over 170 young people were served by our Whatcom Street Outreach Team in 2022.
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Supporting NWYS means supporting young people’s autonomy. A portion of monthly donations goes towards direct cash transfers to the young people we serve, which in turn gives them autonomy. Direct cash transfers work, but we’re unable to provide them without community support.
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Supporting NWYS means supporting racial justice. Even in a predominately white county like Whatcom, BIPOC individuals experience homelessness at a disproportionate rate-- and this is no coincidence. That’s why NWYS is dedicated to looking at the big picture and addressing systemic issues like racism that lead to youth homelessness. (The Omni Center is our latest example of this kind of work– click here to learn more.)
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Supporting NWYS means supporting queer youth. According to the Trevor Project, 28% of LGBTQ+ youth have experienced housing instability or homelessness. NWYS’ Queer Youth Services provides vital support for queer youth and their loved ones.