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“There’s so much need going on. I can’t just sit on the sideline.” Let’s go back to before Paul started volunteering at the Edmonds College Food Pantry to make sure his classmates had enough to eat. Before he began serving at the Lynnwood Hygiene Center – a converted emissions testing site – to ensure the homeless had access to showers, toiletries, and food. Before he went back to school and enrolled at Edmonds College, to become a Substance Abuse Counselor. Let’s go back to the summer of 2018. Before that, Paul had a career as an auto mechanic. But, a busted ankle left him in a wheelchair that summer. He’d struggled with alcohol before, but with no structure to those long days, why not take a drink? He couldn’t work – and maybe would never be a mechanic again – and was worried about losing his place in Lake Stevens, so he called 211. The operator connected him to VOA Prevention Navigator Anne Hoffman. “She has been super. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have been able to make it.” Anne helped find rental assistance for Paul, first from one source than another. “It’s turned my world around,” says Paul. “I feel blessed because of all the people who supported me.”

“Awful.” That’s how Melissa envisions her fate without 2-1-1. For those who don’t have anyone else turn to, those three digits are a lifeline. Tears of gratitude flow as she tells about the call that lifted her out of the fear and uncertainty she never could have predicted as this year began. Melissa loved her job as a Trader Joe’s crew member. Setting up store displays, handing out food samples, and “doing anything else that needed to be done” for seven years allowed her to contribute to a 401(k) and retirement plan. Taking a chance, she cashed those out, left Trader Joe’s, and fulfilled a lifelong dream of starting her own business. Melissa Lynn’s Permanent Cosmetics specialized in cosmetic eyebrow tattooing. However, as business slowed, she returned to Trader Joe’s to have more income stability as a single mom and briefly stayed in her mother’s one-bedroom apartment. Three generations made the best of it. “We blew up an air mattress every night to sleep,” Melissa says with a chuckle. This year started full of promise. Then, schools closed. She had little choice but to quit her job to stay home and care for her 10-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter. Melissa collected unemployment, cleaned houses, and supplemented with child support payments. It still wasn’t enough. Helplessly watching income dry up over the summer, a fateful encounter in August with another Edmonds mom changed everything. “She told me about 2-1-1 and food assistance, so I could get an EBT card.” Brandi, who Melissa calls an angel, was on the other end of the line. Brandi quickly connected Melissa with Sue, a Fair Housing Counselor who specializes in landlord-tenant relations at the VOA Dispute Resolution Center, and Sue was able to secure three months of housing, seeing Melissa’s family through to the end of this year. Melissa has now extended her home to her mom, and three generations are still making the best of it. Looking forward to post-pandemic life, Melissa will emerge as a lash technician and hairstylist, making people feel beautiful and confident once more. Volunteering is also in her future, extending a hand to single mothers facing similar circumstances, paying forward the generosity she received through that late-summer call to 2-1-1. Instead of despair, “You have hope,” she declares. “You have options. You have people to help you. Just make the effort to reach out.”

For Diana and her boyfriend Christian, movies are a holiday tradition, always in a theater. Last Christmas it was Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. Go back through the holidays, and you’ll find Avengers, Wonder Woman, Deadpool, and even Jumanji, on New Years Day in 2018. This year it’ll be Wonder Woman: 1984, streaming in their apartment. An apartment they weren’t sure they’d be able to keep. “If Robin hadn’t called me, I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through.” Diana works, but Christian hasn’t had steady work and his mom, Maria, is unable to work. For the first time in their lives, they visited the food bank for Thanksgiving, and they were falling behind on rent. One day, their property manager connected Diana with VOAWW. That’s when she met Robin, an Early Resolution Specialist with VOA. “Robin answers every time I call. She answers all of my texts. I didn’t expect that.” Robin connected Diana with rental assistance to pay for two months in back rent. When Diana found out, “It was just incredible.....I cried.” “What I would like to share most is that there are always helpers out there. I think Mr. Rogers put it best: ‘Always look for the helpers.’ There should be no shame or guilt with asking for help, no matter how much or how long you need it. Our hope with our little family is that we can repay this back in the future in some way.” “Although we may not ever get to meet Robin in person, we are so grateful for her efforts! Thank you so much for all you do!”

The Lynnwood Neighborhood Center (LNC) is an accessible and welcoming place for neighbors to connect, learn, and gather. Serving Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline, and surrounding communities, the LNC brings essential services and community spaces together in one location. Empowering People. Strengthening Community. Resources Events Volunteer Rentals Donate Piazza of Possibilities! Saturday, June 27 starting at 5:30 Together, we’re creating something lasting. Join us—RSVP today. Learn More! The Lynnwood Neighborhood Center (LNC) brings essential services and community spaces together in one location. Here, individuals and families can access support, explore new opportunities, volunteer, and build connections that strengthen our community. BUILDING HOURS Mon-Fri | 8am - 4pm Sat & Sun | By appointment only (Service partner hours may vary) 19509 64th Ave W, Lynnwood, WA 98036 (425) 683-0891 | ourLNC@voaww.org Resources at the LNC Adults & Aging Well Meaningful Day Enriching the lives of intellectually and developmentally disabled adults through inclusive, engaging, and joyful experiences. Opportunities are created for them to get out into the community, try new things, and feel a true sense of belonging. Learn More Old Friends Club A social respite program for adults with dementia and their caregivers. While members enjoy time with peers, care partners get much-needed time to recharge and focus on self-care. Coming Soon! Community Resources Korean Community Service Center A bridge for Korean immigrants and the wider Asian community to fully integrate into society and overcome economic, health, and linguistic barriers so that they become independent and thriving members of the community. Learn More Latino Educational Training Institute (LETI) LETI will provide a wide range of resources, ensuring individuals receive guidance, referrals, and support tailored to their needs to help community members access LETI’s 27 programs as well as services offered by our county and state partners. Learn More VOA Community Resource Center A one-stop hub of services for people in need. From help with basic needs like clothing and shelter, to assistance with other kinds of resources and programs, making sure neighbors are supported and cared for in their journeys toward stability. Learn More Wellness Center for Human Services Provides office-based and school-based services offered to individuals, couples, and families experiencing challenges that affect their mental health and overall well-being. Our therapists provide guidance and treatment for a range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, divorce and separation, and other family disruptions and life transitions. Learn More VOA Wellness Center A hub where prevention, recovery, and self-care live under one roof. This center will work with various providers offering a rotation of wellness services treating the whole person, mind, body and lifestyle. Coming Soon! Youth Services Boys & Girls Club Serving youth ages 5–18 with high-quality programs and supports, the Club offers before- and after-school care, full-day summer programs, and enrichment focused on academic success, healthy lifestyles, life and workforce readiness, and character and leadership development. Learn More VOA Early Learning Center Offers a high-quality education grounded in the proven Experience Curriculum, led by caring, qualified, and experienced teachers who turn everyday moments into exciting adventures. Through hands-on exploration and play-based learning, children investigate the world around them and build creative problem-solving skills. Learn More ChildStrive ChildStrive supports families with young children from pregnancy through preschool with relationship-based, home-visits, and community-centered services, with the Lynnwood Neighborhood Center serving as a hub for family connection and support. Learn More Cocoon House Support for youth ages 12–24 through employment services focused on job readiness and placement, family engagement programs aimed at preventing youth homelessness, and case management support across South Snohomish County. Learn More Not just Lynnwood. The Lynnwood Neighborhood Center provides an accessible hub of services and programs to serve Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline, and communities across the area. The Center is also a welcoming place for neighbors of all ages and backgrounds to connect with services, learn new skills, find new opportunities, and build community. Tour the LNC Explore the Lynnwood Neighborhood Center and discover what makes it special. Tours are open to the public—just click the button below to schedule yours. Register for a Tour Your next event space! Now booking 2026 events! The LNC offers versatile, affordable spaces designed to bring your vision to life. From spacious venues perfect for conferences, receptions, and celebrations to distinctive smaller spaces like our Tech Room or Meeting Room, we have the ideal setting for gatherings of any size. To view rental rates, click here. Have questions or ready to reserve your date? Contact our Rental Team or complete our rental request form to get started today. Email Rental Form Help your community thrive The Lynnwood Neighborhood Center is open, but the work isn’t finished yet. Your donation to our capital campaign helps complete the building—creating space for the people and programs that serve our community. Our Services Providers The Lynnwood Neighborhood Center is brought to you in partnership by Why VOAWW? Volunteers of America Western Washington has taken the lead on difficult tasks for over 127 years to help the underserved and create safe, stable, and healthy communities. VOAWW is rooted in the longstanding tradition of compassionate, holistic services and creating opportunities to serve one another, leaving a lasting impact on residents in Western Washington and across the state. Learn more about Volunteers of America Western Washington and the services we provide > Stay updated! Get caught up on what it took for LNC to open it's doors and be one of the first people to see what's happening next! Make sure to follow us on social media so you don't miss out! QUESTIONS? Send us an email to ourlnc@voaww.org

Volunteers of America Western Washington assists with food banks, rent and utility assistance, crisis counseling, mediation, and ECEAP preschool. Building Pathways to Hope When housing is at risk, everything is. We’re helping families stay in their homes, welcoming refugees as they rebuild their lives, and providing safe shelter for mothers and children when it’s needed most. Your gift today helps create stability, safety, and a place to belong. Donate Quick Links Need help? We offer a wide range of resources from food and housing to behavioral health and conflict resolution. Looking to give back? Volunteering, donating, or joining the team are all ways you can play an active part in helping our neighbors find stability. Get Food There are no eligibility or documentation requirements to receive food at any VOAWW food banks or pantries. Learn More Housing Our housing programs help find and or stabilize housing for both short and long term needs. Learn More Early Learning ECEAP Preschools in Everett, Monroe, and Sultan, as well as Early Learning & Child Care services in Sultan and Lynnwood. Learn More Behavioral Health We are here to provide resources and support to people in crisis and/ or considering suicide and those who want others to get the help they need. Learn More Tribal Services Serving Native American & Alaska Native Communities throughout the state of Washington to access culturally appropriate behavioral health resources. Learn More Personal Support Services Support for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities to live safe and fulfilling lives, help with budgeting for SSA benefits, and Foundational Community Supports. Learn More Dispute Resolution Our Dispute Resolution Centers offer mediation and conflict resolution resources as well as training opportunities. Learn More Mediation An alternative to living with the stress of conflict or the anxiety of the formal legal system, mediation can help people in conflict find workable solutions quickly and affordably. Learn More Fair Housing Learn about your rights as a tenant or landlord, provide and obtain housing without discrimination, and much more! Learn More Volunteer Donate your time and gain new experiences through our many volunteer opportunities. Make a difference today. Learn More Donate Car donations, Cryptocurrency, leaving a gift in your will, and monetary donations. There's so many ways you make an impact! Learn More Job Opportunities Join the VOAWW team and become a part of serving others and strengthening communities. Learn More Who We Are Volunteers of America Western Washington was established in 1898, two years after Maud and Ballington Booth founded the national organization in New York. We respond to hundreds of thousands of requests for assistance each year through a partnership of professional staff, volunteers, and community supporters. Volunteers are instrumental in every aspect of our ministry of service and help us reach thousands more people than we could with staff alone. We acknowledge, serve, and uplift each and every person. No matter your identity, citizenship, origin, color, or creed, you are welcome here. Our commitment is to serve those needing food, shelter, crisis care, free preschool, community resources, and so much more. Featured Story Stories of Impact Pressing On Complex trauma. Assault. Homelessness. Addiction. Recovery. Relapse. These aren’t just frightening words. They are the experiences that... 2 min read "I hated who I had become." “I am 32 years old now, so I can sum it up to 2 decades battling to get my life back.” Most 12-year-olds are in 7th grade and summoning... 2 min read Life According to S Steve Woodard’s future seemed decided by the S’s. Named Steve, his life path started in San Diego. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree... 3 min read

Supporting independent living for adults with developmental disabilities. Representative payee program for Social Security benefits. Personal Support Services We support adults with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities to live safe and fulfilling lives through experiences that foster independence and enhance self-esteem. Our representative payee program assists those with Social Security benefits to budget for independent living. Our Programs Our Personal Support programs include our state-recognized Supported Living program and our Meaningful Day recreational day program. We also provide training to other agencies. We created the first virtual "Train The Trainer" program for the Developmental Disabilities Administration of Washington State. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about our programs! Supported Living Supported living enables people to live in their own homes in the community with support. For eligibility and to apply, you will need to start with Washington State's DDA office below. After approval, you will be able to select our program for services. Click the button below to access the application for eligibility. Supported Living Application Meaningful Day The Meaningful Day Program, a key component of our Disability Services Department, is dedicated to empowering our supported living clients by facilitating opportunities for community engagement and socialization. Our program offers a diverse range of weekly and monthly activities, such as art, music, bowling, cooking classes, day trips, zoo visits, dances, and more. Inquire April 2026 Today Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 29 30 31 10:30 AM Meaningful Day 1 10:00 AM Brunch & Bowl 2 3 10:00 AM Cooking Class 4 5 6 7 10:30 AM Meaningful Day 8 10:00 AM Brunch & Bowl 9 10:00 AM Mini Golf 10 10:00 AM Cooking Class 11 12 13 14 10:30 AM Musical Therapy 15 10:00 AM Brunch & Bowl 16 9:00 AM Museum Day 17 10:00 AM Cooking Class 18 19 20 21 10:30 AM Meaningful Day 22 10:00 AM Brunch & Bowl 23 10:30 AM Coffee and Cards 24 25 26 27 28 10:30 AM Musical Therapy 29 10:00 AM Brunch & Bowl 30 9:00 AM Museum Day 1 10:00 AM Cooking Class 2 3 4 5 10:30 AM Meaningful Day 6 10:00 AM Brunch & Bowl 7 8 10:00 AM Cooking Class 9 Meaningful Day Event Calendar meaningful-day Rep Payee Program The Representative Payee Program is a service that helps you budget your Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits. Through the Rep Payee Program, local service providers will work with you to budget your benefits to help you pay for food, shelter, clothing, and medical care. Questions? Send us an email at voapayee@voaww.org Learn More Training We provide in-person DDA 40-hour Core training, Right Response, CPR/First Aid, and Continuing Education Credits. A self-paced online option is also available for the DDA 40-hour Core training. For more information, please email training@voaww.org VOAWW is a proud member of American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) Click to learn more about this vital organization advocating for and supporting people with developmental disabilities.