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“Growing up in poverty, I watched my mother struggle to get healthcare. That’s why I want to make sure it’s available to everyone.” — Lisa Nelson, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Unity Care NW

Unity Care NW (UCNW) is a nonprofit community health center serving Whatcom County. Last year our pharmacy served more than 7,800 patients. Nearly 1,000 of them struggle to afford their medications due to high deductibles, co-pays, or lack of insurance. When that happens, UCNW’s community supported Extend-A-Hand program steps in, making sure that cost is never the reason someone goes without the medicine they need.

Our neighbors are struggling more than ever

According to United Way of Whatcom County, 45% of local households are living below the ALICE basic survival budget (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed), higher than both the Washington State average (38%) and the national average (42%). These are working people, our friends and neighbors, who sometimes have to choose between filling a prescription and keeping the lights on.

And the situation is becoming more urgent. Enhanced Premium Tax Credits under the Affordable Care Act expired at the end of 2025, leaving many people who don’t qualify for Medicaid facing insurance premiums they simply can’t afford. For some, that means going uninsured altogether — one unexpected illness or prescription away from a crisis.

How Extend-A-Hand works

The Extend-A-Hand program at Unity Care NW is a safety net for when everything else has been exhausted.  When a patient is unable to afford their prescriptions, UCNW’s team works with them through every available option first. The program also helps patients who are between insurances or need a one-time prescription that their plan won’t cover.

It’s a practical, caring approach — and it has been highly effective.

Help to breathe again
An elderly patient was unable to afford inhalers and had made multiple trips to the emergency as a result. Extend-A-Hand covered the cost of their medications. Now they are able breath freely again.

Relief from cancer pain
Some patients fall into what’s known as the “donut hole”, making just enough to be disqualified from public assistance programs, but not enough to actually afford their care. One patient living with pancreatic cancer was at 97% of the federal poverty level, making them ineligible for certain support, yet still unable to afford prescription copayments. Extend-A-Hand was there to cover the cost of pain medications as they worked through cancer treatments.

Community stepping up for community

Whatcom Community Foundation, Chuckanut Health Foundation, and generous local individuals have all recently stepped up to support UCNW’s Extend-A-Hand because they understand that access to medication isn’t a luxury. It’s a foundation for everything else in a person’s life.

“Extend-A-Hand is about meeting people where they are — with dignity, compassion, and practical support when it matters most. It reflects the very best of Whatcom County: neighbors showing up for neighbors.” Said Janis Evans-Obregon, Vice President of Impact, Whatcom Community Foundation.

Every fall, The Bellingham Herald partners with UCNW and Opportunity Council to raise funds and awareness for Extend-A-Hand, inviting the broader community to be part of the solution. Near the end of last year, North Sound ACH provided a much needed boost to the program, along with an anonymous Donor Advised Fund from Whatcom Community Foundation, as funds became scarce.

You can help, too.
When income is tight, families are faced with impossible choices like deciding between paying for groceries medication. The Extend-A-Hand program makes sure your neighbors can afford both.

Support Extend-A-Hand, make a donation here.

How Art and Play Are Helping Whatcom County Children Heal

Paints, markers, clay, pastels, coloring books – are just a few of the tools that children will have access to in order to share their thoughts and feelings.

Every child deserves the opportunity to feel safe, understood, and hopeful. For many young children navigating big emotions like worry, fear, or the weight of difficult experiences, finding the words to express these feelings can feel impossible. That’s why our new Children’s Play and Art Therapy program is bringing a gentle, proven approach to healing to our youngest patients. Thanks to local supporters at Women Sharing Hope, the program recently launched right here in Whatcom County.

When a child picks up a crayon or loses themselves in imaginative play, something remarkable can happen. Art and play give children a natural, developmentally appropriate way to express what they can’t yet say out loud. This innovative effort engages young patients and their parents by using creativity to explore emotions, improve self-esteem, and develop coping skills. When verbalizing feelings is challenging, art, play, and visual expression help to bridge this gap to move towards healing.

As the American Counseling Association explains, play therapy is far more than “just” playing — it’s a structured, theoretically grounded practice that helps children express their feelings, assume responsibility for their behaviors and develop problem-solving skills. Our Child & Family Counselors are thrilled to bring this program to Whatcom County families.

“Children often lack the words to express their feelings, so they use drawing and play to communicate and connect,” says Ashley Carter, LMHC, Unity Care NW Child and Family Counselor Lead.

Ashley Carter, LMHC, Child and Family Counselor Lead, and Tessa Fulfer, LMHCA, Child & Family Counselor, demonstrate how sand tray therapy can be used to allow patients to show their feelings rather than articulate them.

Our program is offered through our health centers in Bellingham and Ferndale as well as at selected local schools. This year, the program is expected to reach 50-70 children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Children are selected by our Child & Family Counselors based on who would most benefit from this approach to therapy. More than 95% of participating children receive care through Medicaid.

None of this could have happened without the generosity of Women Sharing Hope, an all-volunteer local non-profit organization, dedicated to supporting women and children in Whatcom County. “I am so grateful to Women Sharing Hope for making this program possible and for helping us bring healing through art and play to our community,” says Tessa Fulfer, LMHCA, Unity Care NW Child and Family Counselor. Through the partnership, they funded a full year’s worth of supplies and resources for the program.

Tessa demonstrates the different emotions and feelings that can be displayed using this expressive toy.

“When WSH was contacted about supporting this new program, we recognized how it could assist children in their early development. Art and play therapy can improve communication, provide practice for cooperation and peer interaction skills plus foster self-awareness. Such therapy activities at an early age do contribute to future success. In sharing our community funding, we look for very specific needs with measurable outcomes.

This program inspired us with its organization, staff availability and goals. The new space is so appealing. UCNW accomplished a lot with a small budget. We are thrilled that such a large number of children will be benefitting immediately and with such tender care.”

– Linda Bergsma, charity research committee chair for Women Sharing Hope

When people come together around the needs of children, real change happens. To support programs like this one or learn more about our work with children and families across Whatcom County contact us at development@uncw.org.

One of Unity Care NW’s Behavioral Health rooms has been transformed into an immersive art and play therapy space thanks to Women Sharing Hope.

A recent survey from the Washington State Department of Health reveals critical insights about young children’s health and well-being in our state. The survey, which focuses on families with children ages 6 months to 5 years, provides one of the most comprehensive statewide snapshots of early childhood and family well-being in Washington — and the findings show both encouraging strengths and concerning gaps in healthcare access.

“The Child Wellness Survey gives us insight into how young families in Washington are finding their way in a changing and often difficult world,” said Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, MD, MPH, State Health Officer.

Children receive comprehensive care at Unity Care NW, including specialized Dental and Behavioral Health services to help in their development of resilience and problem-solving skills.

Key Findings: Family Strengths

The results show most Washington families with young children report high levels of problem-solving and resilience and generally believe their children are healthy:

• About 98% of children live in families that find ways to navigate challenges.
• About 95% of children live in families that feel able to solve problems.
• 91% of caregivers rate their child’s health as excellent or very good.

Key Findings: Ongoing Challenges

At the same time, the survey highlights significant barriers affecting families:

• About 20-30% of families report having unmet basic needs such as housing, food, and transportation.
• About 25% of families needing healthcare referrals for their children reported difficulties getting them.
• About 25% of families lack access to the childcare they need.

“The findings show young families in Washington are navigating challenges while supporting their children,” said Maayan Simckes, PhD, MPH, DOH’s Population Survey Supervisor. “They also underscore the crucial role that safe and resilient families, neighborhoods, and communities play when times get tough.”

How Unity Care NW Supports Whatcom County Families

As a community health center providing healthcare to everyone regardless of their ability to pay, Unity Care NW is part of the safety net that supports families through the foundational years of their children’s lives. Our patients receive comprehensive care — including Pharmacy and specialized children’s Dental services — all in one location. Programs like Behavioral Health and Case Management help develop the resilience and problem-solving skills highlighted in the survey.

How You Can Help

Maintaining Washington’s strong network of community health centers is essential to keeping our state’s children healthy and helping their families navigate challenges. You can make a difference in two important ways:

Make a gift to Unity Care NW today to ensure that children with unmet healthcare needs in Whatcom County can stay healthy and get the care they need when challenges arise.

Contact your state lawmakers and urge them to maintain the Medicaid pharmacy benefit as it exists today to save the healthcare safety net that families depend on. Find your lawmakers here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder

Together, we can ensure every child in Whatcom County has access to the healthcare they need to thrive.

As we come to the end of 2025, we’re taking time to reflect on the year and the progress captured in our 2024 Annual Report. This report not only highlights how we showed up for our community, but also illustrates the rising need for accessible, high-quality care among the people we serve.

At Unity Care NW, we hold a core belief that health care is a human right.  Our mission is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Thanks to the dedication of our staff, the support of our partners, and the generosity of our community, 2024 was a year defined by growth, innovation and meaningful impact. Together, we expanded our reach and supported more of our Whatcom County neighbors than ever before.

Health By the Numbers

In 2024, Unity Care NW provided care to 24,750 patients — more than one in 10 Whatcom County residents. That’s a 54% increase in patient totals since 2014 and underscores the essential role we play in a community where nearly half of our patients live below the federal poverty level, and most rely on Medicaid for their care. Regardless of a patient’s circumstances, our team delivers the same compassionate, high-quality care to all.

Across our medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and case management services, we reached record numbers of visits. Our pharmacy filled more prescriptions than ever before and delivered over 4,200 vaccines, offering protection against seasonal illnesses and long-term health risks alike.

While we are proud of our ability to expand services and grow alongside our community, the increasing number of people depending on Unity Care NW is a clear signal that the need for accessible, affordable health care continues to intensify in Whatcom County.

Whole-Person Health in Action

Health is about more than just treating symptoms — it requires attention to every dimension of a person’s well-being. In 2024, we relaunched our Veggie Rx Program in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health, offering produce vouchers that help eligible patients with chronic conditions access fresh, nutritious food.

We also focused on prevention and mental health. 90% of our patients were screened for depression, ensuring that more people could be connected with behavioral health care. Among our patients managing diabetes, 82% achieved healthy blood sugar levels — an accomplishment that reflects both their dedication and the effectiveness of integrated care.

Community Helping Community

This year also marked the opening of The Way Station, a groundbreaking Health & Hygiene Center for individuals experiencing homelessness. Together with the Opportunity Council, PeaceHealth, and Whatcom County Health & Community Services, we are now able to offer showers, laundry facilities, walk-in care, and medical respite beds. In our first year, nearly 1,395 people accessed hygiene services alone— helping to restore stability, dignity, and hope for those in need.

The Future of Care in Whatcom County

Reflecting on 2024, we are profoundly grateful for our patients, partners, and supporters who make this essential work possible.  Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier Whatcom County where everyone can thrive.

Join us in our mission. Learn more, get involved, or make a gift today.

“They made me feel like they wanted to help…
they saved my life. Likely more than once.”
– Unity Care NW Patient