The Heart of Our Work
FuturesNW is dedicated to building healthy, thriving, and peaceful communities that are strong and resilient. We are committed to supporting historically disenfranchised peoples and to sharing resources that point to other leaders doing important work around these issues. As former FuturesNW volunteer Al Villafuerte noted, we have the responsibility to create opportunities for students that do not rest on the shoulders of an exceptional person but rather on strong communities and healthy systems. This compels us to create a Beloved Community within our own organization and with our partners.
We must be honest about the extent to which the United States is unsafe and oppressive for many people and we must recognize the issues in our own community and our complicity in these systems. As the Bellingham Racial History Timeline states, “The lack of racial diversity in [Skagit and Whatcom Counties] is not an accident. Colonization, followed by a history of discriminatory practices, policies, and events, has shaped our [counties]. We have to understand our history to create a better future.” Given this history of Whatcom and Skagit County, we are driven to acknowledge that we work, live, and gather on the ancestral homelands of the Coast Salish Peoples. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the people of the Lummi Nation, Nooksack Tribe, Samish Indian Nation, and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.
The path to higher education shouldn’t be a secret, so we make sure every student has the information and guidance they need to succeed in high school, college, and beyond. We achieve this through career exploration events, pathways navigation support, financial aid completion, and family engagement, as well as through programs such as QuickStart to College and From One to Many.
PROGRAM DETAILS:
Learning with Leaders connects students with in-demand career pathways by providing exploration that focuses on local employment, education, and support services. Students will get real-time, tactile training, such as the chance to operate heavy equipment under the guidance of experts, take part in virtual simulations, and discover their strengths through kinesthetic learning experiences. These events will provide a foundation of exploration to connect students with prep classes offered in their high schools and colleges that will subsequently launch them into a career of their dreams.
To learn more about Learning with Leaders and its past and future events, visit the program page here!
These images from Jan-March 2020 capture our first Learning with Leaders events:
Throughout the fall and spring, FuturesNW partners with the 12th Year Campaign to put on financial literacy events in which Financial Aid experts and admissions staff from local higher education institutions provide personalized support for families completing the FAFSA or WASFA. See our calendar for a list of current events.
Thanks to the amazing folks at the Washington Student Achievement Council, we are able to attend and co-host many statewide and regional events. For a complete list of virtual events hosted by WSAC check out their event list here.
Check out our Financial Aid resources page for more information on how to fund your education plans!
From One to Many
Futures Northwest’s project, From One to Many aims to promote and increase access to post-secondary education and training programs by implementing a community-led, peer-to-peer financial aid and access program in direct partnership with Lummi Nation leaders. Lummi Nation educational advocate Kathleen Solomon facilitates individual and community meetings where families learn and engage in financial planning for college, explore pathways and increases access to resources that support their journey. Acknowledging the historic and traumatic reality that Western education has played in Native/Indigenous communities, for many families the barriers are not as simple as applying, selecting, and paying for education. Engaging in dialogues about education and training programs, why they matter, and what support is needed to get there will support Lummi Nation’s goal in increasing the number of members who pursue higher education, reaching the community’s personal and professional goals. FuturesNW works in partnership with the Lummi Nation School District, the Lummi Business Council, Northwest Indian College, Lummi Employment Training Center, WWU Human Services Program, and the Financial Aid Offices of WWU, BTC, and WCC.
Peer Financial Aid Navigators
The Peer Financial Aid Navigator plays a key role in helping classmates successfully complete their FAFSA or WASFA applications, as well as identify and apply for scholarships. Working under the FuturesNW partnership with the 12th Year Campaign, Peer Navigators receive specialized financial aid training to prepare them to share accurate information and connect peers with resources.
Training:
Peer Navigators will complete intensive Financial Aid navigation training to ensure they can confidently serve as a trusted guide for students and their families. Two training opportunities will be offered: October 2nd, Skagit Valley College cafeteria 3:30-7:00 pm or October 3rd, Whatcom Community College Syre Center 11:30-3:00 pm. Peer Navigators are only required to attend one.
Workshops:
A list of workshops and completion events can be found here: https://www.futuresnw.org/how-we-can-help-2. Peer navigators are only required to attend and promote the first workshop and their high school completion event. If they want to attend additional events, we welcome their support!
Monthly Meetings:
Each month, you’ll participate in a one-hour virtual session featuring scenario-based training, Q&A, and strategy discussions. These meetings are an opportunity to learn, bring your curiosity, share ideas, and use your creativity to engage your peers in ways that encourage Financial Aid completion.
Goal:
To increase FAFSA/WASFA completion rates in our community so more students can access the funding they deserve for their post-secondary dreams.
If you have an interest in becoming a Peer Navigator, email Ashley at adelatour@futuresnw.org for more information.
Mentor NAVIGATORS
Our mentor navigators work with high school students who will be the first in their family to go to college or who are from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds to help build confidence and provide hands-on support to help them succeed in high school and beyond. Students receive guided career exploration, college admissions applications, financial aid, and scholarship applications. This service is currently available via Calendly only due to budget cuts.
Resources PLATFORM
In 2019, we were able to develop a resource platform for students in Skagit and Whatcom Counties. In doing so, students and families now have a central nexus of information for pathways support in our region, regardless of whether a mentor is placed at their school. This is an ever-growing resource that is adaptive to the needs and opportunities of our community and is updated regularly by staff. Additionally, our aim is to have it serve as a valuable resource for school staff in assisting with High School and Beyond Planning.
Pre-Education Training Services (Pre-ETS), in-school workshops
Our Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) funded program focuses on providing 9-12th grade students with the tools needed to live an independent & self-directed life; these programs are tailored with a specific focus on students with learning disabilities who utilize an education plan such as an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan. Currently FuturesNW is serving students at Lummi Nation School, joining Hawktime workshops every third Tuesday morning as well as at the SVC INvest program.
Family Engagement
Through attending and presenting at College/Career fairs, Design Your Future events, community outreach and through our resource platform, FuturesNW is uniquely positioned to reach a multitude of families and engage in dialogues to provide support with college and beyond.
QuickStart to College
QuickStart to College is a free summer camp program to uplift and encourage high school seniors as they prepare for college selection, applications, scholarships, and financial aid processes. Students enjoy 4 days and 3 nights at WWU and visits from our friends at BTC, NWIC, SVC, and WCC to help you learn more about the various types of colleges available. By attending QuickStart, our mentors and local college staff members will help students get prepared for milestones throughout their senior year, so they can confidently step into the path that lies beyond it. Our QTC 2026 program is on pause due to budget cuts. If you are interested in learning more, please visit the program page.
2025 QTC mentor team