Coalition plans to open resource center on Bellingham’s Samish Way for people in need

Members of a coalition working to help needy people living along Samish Way hope to open a resource center in the coming weeks — an effort given more urgency as the city of Bellingham moves to condemn a motel there because of its history as a hub for crime and drug use.

Pastor Rick Qualls, coordinator of the Samish Way Coalition, plans to sign a letter of intent this week to rent space at 113 Samish Way to serve as the resource center. Details are being fleshed out, but the idea is to help Samish Way residents tap into services provided by agencies and nonprofits, such as housing and health care, as well as after-school tutoring for elementary school children.