Whatcom Asset Building Coalition

06/17/2025

We enjoyed discussing pathways to financial inclusion with local leaders and community partners at the Whatcom Asset Building Coalition (WABC) summit last month! Big thanks to everyone who helped make this event happen: Futures Northwest, WECU, Whatcom Literacy Council, Whatcom County Library System, United Way of Whatcom County, Evergreen Goodwill and our incredible staff.

Asset building (A.K.A. the process of building resources to improve economic well-being and financial stability) is near and dear to our hearts. We think it’s important to promote financial education and well being wherever possible so that everyone has the tools they need to thrive.

Heads up: The WABC is entering a pause starting this month. While this change is due to reduced state funding, our commitment to helping people achieve financial stability hasn’t changed. We're proud of what we’ve built together—and hopeful for what the future might bring.

04/24/2025

Join us on Tuesday, May 20th, for our summit event, Asset Building for All: Pathways to Financial Inclusion. Follow the link for agenda details and registration.

Come learn about local solutions and policy initiatives that promote financial inclusion and asset building in our communities. Keynote and panelist sessions will explore affordable homeownership strategies, financial literacy access, and pathways to education and job skills training. https://www.whatcomabc.org/events/

02/11/2025

There are free tax filing resources available in Whatcom County! Visit WhatcomABC.org to find information on IRS certified in-person or online tax filing options, tips to get started, and important tax credits. Not sure where to start? Call the tax hotline at (360) 746-0100 for more help.

02/04/2025

We know that employment is one of the critical pathways to building assets and financial stability. Check out the next session of Job Club, a place for job seekers to work together and share stories, knowledge, and resources while also learning job search skills, tips and tricks from experts, and getting personalized support.

Looking for a new job? Build confidence and sharpen your skills at Opportunity Council Employment Team’s Job Club! Meet us at WorkSource Whatcom (101 Prospect Street) for seven sessions, starting this Thursday, Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Job Club is a great chance to connect with others in a group setting while working on resumes, cover letters, interview skills, overcoming job search challenges and more. Register at nwc-connect.org and select “Contact us - Job Seekers” to apply.

01/22/2025

Along with some fellow asset building friends, we had the chance to head to Olympia on Monday to participate in Statewide Poverty Action Network's lobby day! We spent the day connecting with our elected officials and with others from around the state to share the importance of financial wellness. If you're interested in learning more about the bills we're following during the current legislative session, the Financial Empowerment Network has put together a great reference page. https://www.fenwa.org/legislative-advocacy?fbclid=IwY2xjawH-FxxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHYvrvD-A2MgMT6-RpnU_OLB58LRl1HztgSkBt_n8LGTEiEZ_jUJJZNjcTA_aem_5OZmPmY2wgtQ0cPgFUfodQ

01/14/2025

It's almost tax time again, and our friends over at AARP Tax-Aide Bellingham, WA are getting ready to open their doors February 1st.

AARP Foundation Free Tax-Aide service is back February 1st! Our team of IRS-Certified volunteers will help file your taxes accurately and efficiently.

📆 M-W 3-6:30 pm // Sat Noon-4pm
⏰(doors open 15 minutes before start times)
📆 First Day Saturday Feb 1
😃 Open to all taxpayers -All incomes & ages welcome
🚶🏽‍♂️ Walk-ins only
😣 Very complicated returns may be turned away
⛪️ @ First Congregational Church of Bellingham, UCC , 2401 Cornwall
📆 Ends Saturday April 12 - not open 4/14 or 4/15
📝 For a list of items to bring, visit
https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/info-01-2011/important-tax-documents.html
☎️ Call (360)474-7066 for info & possible schedule changes

01/09/2025

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued new regulations barring medical debts from American credit reports. "People who get sick shouldn't have their financial future upended....The CFPB's final rule will close a special carveout that has allowed debt collectors to abuse the credit reporting system to coerce people into paying medical bills they may not even owe." Read the full article here:

The move, which comes less than two weeks before President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office, represents a challenge to the new administration.

01/07/2025

Got credit goals for 2025? Start the new year off right by taking advantage of free, one-on-one credit counseling now offered through the Whatcom Asset Building Coalition.

Visit WhatcomABC.org to learn more and sign up.

11/19/2024

Are you interested in homeownership but don't know where to start? We've added resources for first time home buyers to our website, including the Washington Homeownership Resource Center (WHRC), Kulshan Community Land Trust, and more. Organizations like these can provide homebuyer education classes, pre-purchase counseling, or information on home repair. Visit the link below to learn more.

Homeownership Thinking about buying a house but not sure where to start? Getting into your own home is a big step, but if you follow some trusted guidance you can make the process much easier and step over the threshold into your new home that much sooner. Urban

10/21/2024

Come find us next week at the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center for the annual trick or treat fair! We'll be available to chat more about our new credit counseling program, answer questions about the , and of course hand out candy and treats. We will see you there! 👻🎃

10/09/2024

The Forum is an annual event that brings together financial institutions, local and state government, nonprofit organizations, regulators and educators to learn and engage around intersectional topics impacting unbanked and underbanked communities. The forum is just two weeks away! Join us on October 24th and 25th at as we explore what it means for all Washingtonians to achieve and ! bit.ly/BOWA-2024

10/08/2024

We are so excited to announce the launch of our new credit counseling program! Want to learn more about how credit works? Interested in building, repairing, or just managing your credit? WABC is offering a new, free opportunity for one-on-one credit counseling with an advisor.

To get started:

1) Fill out the form linked below and register for the initial session, “Credit 101.” This virtual class is held monthly on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 6-7pm via Zoom. We’ll cover the ins and outs of credit reports and scores, who governs the credit industry, and more.
2) At the end of this class, attendees will be able to sign up for a follow up one-on-one credit counseling appointment. This one-on-one appointment will be a chance to take a deeper dive into the participant’s personal credit report, set goals, and ask questions.

This program is currently open to all – so please feel free to attend or forward to the folks you work with. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].

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