BELLINGHAM (May 12, 2025) — A partnership between WECU and Bellingham Public Schools is helping students with disabilities thrive as they transition into adulthood. Through the Community Transitions (CT) Program, students ages 18–22 are gaining independence, job skills, and life experiences — supported in part by WECU’s facilities, staff, and mission to serve the community.
The CT program, designed to prepare students for independent living, employment, and post-secondary education, found a new home in 2022 when WECU’s Birchwood Branch was transformed into the WECU Community Resource Center. The remodel, financed by Bellingham Public Schools, ensured that the facility met the program’s needs. Provided rent-free by WECU — a contribution valued at over $50,000 annually — the facility was remodeled to meet the program’s needs. It now includes classrooms with advanced technology, a culinary training kitchen, and laundry facilities, all designed to help students master essential life skills.
“This partnership is about more than just a building or work experience,” said Reid Frederick, Director of Community Impact at WECU. “It’s about two great organizations partnering together for the betterment of the community.”
But the support doesn’t stop there.
WECU also provides work-based learning experiences at its administration building, where CT students participate in groundskeeping, landscaping, and custodial tasks — all while developing soft skills like time management and teamwork. Under the mentorship of WECU’s Facilities Manager, Steve Sodergren, students gain confidence through meaningfully contributions in a workplace WECU is one of many work-based learning experiences and partners CT students work with in the Bellingham community.
The impact is deeply felt by both students and educators.
“The phrase around here is, the last day of Community Transitions should look like the first day of the rest of [a student’s] life,” said Dominique Lantagne, a Special Education teacher with the CT program. “That means you have support in place, transportation, independent living skills, connections to ways to find paid work, and relationships. The unique opportunity and exciting part of my job is that we get to work with students on what they will do in life.”
Student Mason Bruce shared, “It’s great here; I love it. CT is a great place for learning everything about adulthood. It’s helped me learn to cook, get a job, manage money, and interact with people.”
In addition to work experience and classroom support, WECU’s Financial Wellness representative, Cherish Flint, has provided ongoing financial education classes to CT students. “It’s such an honor to help prepare these students for their financial futures,” Flint said. “I am inspired by their eagerness, resourcefulness and their endless positivity.”
As part of its longstanding commitment to education and community development, WECU continues to invest in the future of our local communities through collaborative partnerships like this one.
“At WECU, we’re always seeking opportunities to make a real difference,” said Jennifer Kutcher, President & CEO of WECU. “Our multi-faceted support of the Community Transitions Program is a great example of that.”
About WECU
WECU is a member-owned, not-for-profit credit union headquartered in Bellingham, Washington. WECU was founded in 1936 as the Bellingham Teacher’s Credit Union. Today, it serves over 170,000 members with more than $2.8 billion in assets. WECU is committed to enhancing the financial well-being of its members and making a positive impact in the communities it serves.
