In Whatcom County, people living outside without a stable place to call home face uncertainty and health complications. When someone who is experiencing homelessness is in the hospital, getting better is an uphill battle. Hospitals can’t provide a place to stay forever, and when it’s time to move on, many people still need help healing.
This issue is a concern for many people in the county. More people in Whatcom are experiencing unsheltered homelessness now than last year, according to the 2025 Point in Time Count. 190 single adults are chronically homeless, meaning they’ve faced homelessness either for a year or more, or several times over the last few years.
But if they don’t have a stable place to go after the hospital, where do they go to rest and recover?
That’s where the Way Station comes in.
A Place to Rest and Recover
The Way Station is a crucial place for people facing homelessness who are leaving the hospital. There, they have a clean, safe space to recover before moving on to their next step. The facility opened in May thanks to a team effort between Unity Care NW, PeaceHealth, Whatcom County, and Opportunity Council staff, who run the medical respite side of the program.
Marisa Schoeppach, the manager of the Way Station’s medical respite program, said the goal is to help people who are well enough to leave the hospital but not well enough to go back to living outside. “This gives them a chance to properly heal and give them a chance to actually connect with providers to keep treatments going,” she said.
Many people we serve have more than one health problem. Some have long-term health issues, mental health needs, substance use disorders, or sometimes all three. They need time and support, which the Way Station offers.
What It’s Like at the Way Station
The Way Station has 16 beds for people who are recovering, and one extra “flex” bed just in case. The program started with a soft launch of four beds, increasing to 8 and then 12. By the People are referred to the Way Station directly from the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center.
Most of the staff working at the Way Station used to be caregivers or have been in similar situations themselves. They understand what our guests are going through and are here to help every step of the way. Opportunity Council employs staff instead of volunteers because we want the people staying there to see the same faces every day. It helps them feel safe and supported.
Every person gets their own space with a bed, clean sheets, privacy, and meals cooked by the hospital’s kitchen. Guests have access to quiet places to meet with doctors and nurses. The Way Station doesn’t just offer medical care—it also provides essential hygiene services that help people feel clean, safe, and more like themselves.
On the hygiene side of the facility, operated by our partners at Unity Care NW, guests have access to hot showers, clean restrooms, and laundry machines. The ability to do everyday things like taking a shower or washing clothes is easy to take for granted, but losing easy access to these makes an impact on health and confidence. We’re grateful to collaborate on the Way Station – a place where everyone who walks through our doors is treated with care and dignity, starting with their basic needs.
Stepping Into What’s Next
Most people stay at the Way Station for about two to four weeks. While people recover at the Way Station, we also help them plan their next move. That might be going to a shelter or, hopefully, into housing. Our staff work closely with each guest to make sure they’re not just healing physically, but also getting connected to services and support for the future.
Before the Way Station, people would often leave the hospital and end up back on the streets with no plan. Now, with the help of nurses, care managers, and service providers, we can take the time to help people rest, recover, and prepare for what’s next.
Moving Forward, One Step at a Time
The Way Station is already making a big difference. Since opening, it’s stayed consistently at capacity, and we’ve seen many people move forward with hope and strength.
To the folks who have already stayed with us—congratulations! They’ve made it through a hard chapter, and we are so proud of them. Whether they’ve gone to the next stage of care, moved into a new place, or just taken their next step, we’re cheering them on.
