Ben Kinney Companies makes $400,000 donation to Lydia Place

Written by: McKenna Cardwell

Lydia Place, the Bellingham nonprofit helping the homeless to find housing, has received a huge boost in a $400,000 donation from Ben Kinney Companies, a group consisting of real estate companies that also deals in training and software.

The money will be used to buy or build a new housing property, at least a portion of which will be dedicated to single fathers and their children in need of a home.

Emily O’Connor, the executive director of Lydia Place, says the donation allows Lydia Place to expand its service capacity and dedicate resources toward a specific population within a community that is being overlooked. She says the idea behind the donation is targeted at disrupting the cycle of multigenerational homelessness.

“When families get caught in poverty, we really see that families struggle,” O’Connor said. “We are particularly focusing on developing some units of housing for dads with kids, which fills a gap in our community.”

In general, the money will help Lydia Place continue to offer aid and promote self-sufficiency of those experiencing homelessness.

Lydia Place provides a range of programs. Along with services designed to provide housing like the Transitional Housing Program, Lydia Place has grown to include additional support to cover areas such as access to education and careers.

In a press release, Ben Kinney also addressed the importance of stopping the cycle of poverty within families.

“We hope to set an example to other individuals and businesses on how we must all give back locally to the communities that have given all of us so much,” Kinney says.