The Interfaith Coalition of Whatcom County is an extraordinary enterprise. By bringing faith communities together, they accomplish more than individual communities can do alone. One of the most immediate needs that the Interfaith Coalition provides is shelter on particularly cold nights in the winter. There is one shelter for men (located near the Lighthouse Mission), and one for women (at Garden Street United Methodist Church).

Shelter volunteers need to go through training. Several Echoes people are attending the trainings, and we encourage as many people as possible to attend. There are a variety of responsibilities that volunteers undertake, and only a few volunteers actually spend the night at the shelter. This is a phenonemal way to address real need in Whatcom County, and to interact with some of the shelter guests.

Two trainings are offered this week:

Women’s Shelter training: Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm
at Garden St. Methodist, 1326 N. Garden Street
(only female volunteers)

Men’s Shelter training: Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm
at the Lighthouse Mission Drop-in Center, 1013 W. Holly Street
(male and female volunteers welcome)

For more information, call Interfaith Coalition of Whatcom County, 734-3983.