Presenting a brief recap of accomplishments at OppCo while Greg Winter was our executive director (plus a look at his beginnings with the company and his retirement party!)

2008

Greg Winter hired as the Whatcom Homeless Service Center Director and served in that role until 2016.

An excerpt from a 2008 edition of Opportunity Council’s Windows of Opportunity newsletter

News clipping titled "Whatcom Homeless Service Center Gets New Director," with a thumbnail picture of Greg Winter

2015

Greg Winter chosen as our new ED after the retirement of Dave Finet, who had been director for the previous nine years. Greg began the position on January 1st of the following year.

A 2015 excerpt of Opportunity Council’s Community in Action newsletter

2017-2018

In partnership with Northwest Youth Services (NWYS), 22 North was opened in November of 2018 as a space for permanent supportive housing in Downtown Bellingham. The building is dedicated to providing homes for people with disabilities experiencing one year or more of homelessness, with some spaces specifically for young adults and Veterans.

Executive Directors Greg Winter and Riannon Bardsley (NWYS) cut the ribbon at 22 North Supportive Housing

Two people look on joyfully as they cut the ribbon on a new building.
A news clipping titled "22 North: Affordable Housing in Bellingham"

An excerpt from Opportunity Council's Community in Action newsletter

Vertical poster set up under a canopy that says "Catherine Mahaffey" with a blurb under it

The Catherine Mahaffey East Whatcom Wellness Fair brings together the rural East Whatcom community to access free health services.

2019

On the same campus as the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center (EWRRC), a new building was added, expanding the space and services available. This new building became the permanent home for the Foothills Food Bank (and as of 2025, the center will also be adding a multi-use sports court for basketball, pickleball, volleyball and more.) In 2022 the center held its first ever Catherine Mahaffey East Whatcom Wellness Fair, which has continued annually since.

People stand in the dirt at a construction site holding golden shovels.

Greg Winter and friends at the groundbreaking of the new building at EWRRC.

2020

Across the agency, changes were made to continue to serve the community among shut downs and isolation. I highly recommend reading our newsletter from Fall of 2020 to get a full scope, but I will mention some of the highlights.

  • The Chore Program worked to deliver nearly 1,000 boxes of food weekly.
  • Volunteers worked a food drive-up delivery service at EWRRC.
  • Maple Alley Inn packed and delivered hot meals to people in quarantine or on extremely limited incomes.
  • OC staff packed our school buses with food and early learning supplies for families who could not get to food banks or school distribution sites.
Two men stand side by side behind a podium and microphone.

2021-2024

The Laurel Forest Apartment complex opened its doors on March 27, 2024, marking another addition of homes for adults 55 and older and an early child care center. Thanks to Puget Sound Energy, the building maintains a low-carbon footprint with electric car charging ports and a rooftop solar array. Read the full Annoucement here.

Greg Winter stands with Laurel Forest resident Colin Neale while speaking to a crowd at the open house for the building.

2023-2024

The Way Station, a partnership between OppCo and Unity Care NW, PeaceHealth and the Whatcom County Health Department, broke ground in 2023 and was completed in 2024. The facility helps guests with showers, laundry, and restrooms. Patients discharged from the hospital are referred to the medical respite program, which is managed by OppCo.

A group of people in professional clothing smile and laugh as they shovel dirt from a long pile in front of a building, which has a banner that says "The Way Station: Health & Hygiene Center" and shows the address 1500 N. State St.

Officials break ground on The Way Station Friday, Aug. 18 in Bellingham. From left are Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, Unity Care NW CEO Jodi Joyce, state Sen. Sharon Shewmake, Opportunity Council Executive Director Greg Winter and PeaceHealth Community Health Director Rachel Lucy. Photo courtesy of Andy Bronson, Cascadia Daily News.

2023-2026

In Oak Harbor, the Camas Flats were built and opened, giving 81 new homes to Oak Harbor residents. Camas Flats has a large playground, community building, 8 units that are specifically permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness, and two units for Veterans.

A housing complex under construction

Camas Flats in progress, getting ready to give Oak Harbor residents a place to call home

People stand in front of a housing complex.

Greg Winter and folks gather for the ribbon cutting for Camas Flats


2025-2026

Our Cedar Commons project launched, consisting of two buildings for families and older adults to move into, totaling 120 new homes. In June of 2026, an open house was held for tours of the new family centered building and on-site early learning center. Construction on the 2nd building is set to finish in 2027.

A blue apartment building with flower murals accentuating the walls

Cedar Commons Phase 1, a.k.a home for many families

Folks gather in the lobby of a building

Many people gathered to welcome the new Cedar Commons at its open house

Above: Many people gathered to welcome the new Cedar Commons at its open house

Left: Cedar Commons Phase 1, a.k.a home for many families

August 31st, 2026

Greg’s last day and an open house celebration party with guests from across the community and agency. Continue down for more photos from the event.

Greg Winter in conversation with Dave Finet, the preceding OppCo Executive Director and Annie Bright, a retired OC employee.

Friends gathered to send Greg off on his next adventure (and enjoy two fabulously decorated cakes)

Read Greg’s retirement announcement here.