2022 Strategic Planning for the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center.
When/What: 2 sessions were held on April 21st and 28th 6-8PM,  a mailed survey went out in the August 2022 Hello Neighbor for you to share your ideas for the next phase at the EWRRC with the option to fill it out over the phone, online, or in person as well. This survey was created with input from the community and support from local resident and volunteer Kaye Marshall. Report will be published in November 2022. We are deeply grateful for all your support.
Who: Opportunity Council (OC) and the East Whatcom Community Council (EWCC) invited the community to help inform the strategic plan for work at the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center (EWRRC) and in the broader community.
Why: Every 5 years the Opportunity Council, with the support of the EWCC and the community, has undertaken specific listening and feedback sessions to inform the direction and planning of programs and facilities on the EWRRC campus.
During the first session in 2011, when the building first opened, the priorities defined were information and referral services and the formation of a community council to facilitate communication between OC and the community at large with regards to the facility itself. This work also led to the formation of the Resource Fair to showcase the resources available to members of the East Whatcom Community. Requests for gymnasium facilities were also numerous but outside of the scope of the original building and so were put on hold.
The next session took place in 2016, this time youth activity facilities made the top of the list along with increasing access to basic food. To meet this goal another building was built to house the Foothills Food Bank with plans to secure funding for a covered recreational area in the future. 
On April 21st and 28th 2022 from 6-8PM neighbors were all invited to listen and speak about the needs of the community so that the OC, along with the EWCC and the community at large, can work together to accomplish the identified goals.
How: A third-party consultant volunteer, Kaye Marshall, was invited in April offer two Strategic Planning Sessions to guide the community visioning and help us all determine what forms future plans might take. Thank you Kaye, Community Members, East Whatcom Community Council and Opportunity Council Staff for collaborating to make this important work happen.
Please email the EWRRC Manager with any questions jessica_bee@nulloppco.org