In 2022, a Washington State Achievement Counsel survey found that WA students at two-year and four-year colleges had similar insecurity rates, with 1 in 2 experiencing food and/or housing insecurity. In 2023, 19.5% of Western Washington University students who dropped out of school cited that they did so because they could not meet their basic needs (food and housing).

The Basic Needs Hub at Western supports students in navigating basic needs insecurities including housing challenges of having no cosigner, evictions due to insufficient funds, and barriers to not having upfront costs of first and last month’s rent, security deposits, etc. Jon and Gina work in the Basic Needs Hub to support students facing incredible barriers including former foster care youth, unaccompanied homeless youth, and first-generation students.

In this interactive presentation, come ready to collaboratively strategize creative housing ideas that can serve our students and the Whatcom community.

This event will be held in Western's community space on the 1st floor of Stateside (901 N State St), as well as online via Zoom. Register to receive the link to the webinar.

Maeg Demmons serves as the Student Benefits Coordinator at Bellingham Technical College (BTC), a position that supports basic needs security, by connecting students to public benefits programs, additional funding sources, and campus and community resources. She also manages the food pantry at BTC. In her career, Maeg has held primarily grant funded positions that support underserved student populations at BTC, Whatcom Community College and Northwest Indian College. Maeg earned a master’s degree in education at Western Washington University. 

Gina Ebbeling supports students at Western Washington University as the Basic Needs Resource Navigator. She has several years of experience working with students in higher education and running her own life coaching business. She has been a renter and homeowner in Whatcom County and has lived here for 7 years.   

Jon Stubblefield is the Program Manager for the Western Success Scholars program, a holistic support program for former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth attending Western. He has worked at Western for nearly 5 years and is a Board member for the Center for Dependable Strengths. He has been a renter and homeowner in Whatcom County.   

Mikaila Wireman currently works as the Basic Needs Navigator at Whatcom Community College, assisting students in accessing vital resources and services (especially housing). Before serving in this role, Mikaila worked for Cocoon House in Everett as a Housing Stability Case Manager. In this role, she helped young adults experiencing homelessness find and maintain housing, employment, education, and more. Mikaila has been a renter in Whatcom County for over 11 years.