Lake Whatcom Residential and Treatment Center

Lake Whatcom Residential and Treatment Center (LWC), located in Bellingham, Washington, is a DSHS licensed not-for-profit organization providing an array of residential and community mental health services to adults with severe and persistent mental illness in Whatcom and surrounding counties. Understanding the most severe and persistent mental illness means meeting the consumers needs and understanding their ability to meet their goal of recovery. This is the foundation of care that consumers receive at LWC. Consumers are supported through providing assistance with housing, financial and legal issues, psychiatric and medical care, social and personal growth. The intensity of services is continually adjusted to address the full spectrum of treatment from crisis intervention to independence of case management. Services are provided to meet individual needs and incorporate natural supports to integrate to the maximum level of independence. Lake Whatcom Residential and Treatment Center was created in 1968 as a non-profit, 501(C)(3) organization in Whatcom County, under the name Blue Canyon Foundation. In the early 70’s, our focus shifted from retardation and elderly care to mental health. In 1980 we moved closer to Bellingham and changed our name to Lake Whatcom Residential and Treatment Center - Lake Whatcom Center (LWC) for short. Since then we have expanded our services and currently provide licensed residential care in our boarding home, independent supported living, community outpatient mental health services, intensive mental health services (IOP and PACT), employment services, and protective payee services. LWC’s purpose is to provide residential care and community outpatient mental health programs and treatment in a psycho-social rehabilitation model for chronically mentally ill adults to facilitate their achieving and maintaining an optimal level of independence, health, and fulfillment.