Right now, many students in the Mount Baker School District (MBSD) face barriers that make it harder to succeed in school and life. Food insecurity, housing instability, mental health challenges, and limited access to transportation are daily realities for many families in our community.

Communities In Schools of Whatcom-Skagit (CISWS) exists to change that. By placing trusted adults directly in schools, CISWS connects students and families to the critical resources they need—from mental health care to food support to housing navigation. These site coordinators don’t just refer services—they build relationships, provide consistent support, and walk alongside families for the long haul.

Now, we have the opportunity to bring this proven, relationship-first model to Mount Baker—but we need your help to do it.

Why Mount Baker School District?

The Mount Baker School District is rich in community strength, but also faces unique rural challenges. CISWS is uniquely positioned to meet those needs with a model that works in partnership with schools, families, and local organizations.

Bringing CISWS to MBSD aligns with key goals of the Health Equity Zone (HEZ) initiative, including:

Increasing student support through school-based services
Tackling rural transportation barriers that limit access to opportunity

This is a strategic moment: with seed funding today, we can unlock larger funding opportunities tomorrow. And more importantly, we can deliver real outcomes—not just referrals—for students and families.

What CISWS Support Looks Like:

When CISWS comes to a school, students and families gain access to:

Trusted relationships with on-site coordinators
Mental health and housing support
Food access (like weekend meals or food bank connections)
Consistent check-ins that build safety and trust
Help navigating challenges when school feels overwhelming
Support with attendance, appointments, and engagement

These are simple, human supports—but they make a world of difference.

How You Can Help

This campaign is community-led and people-powered. We’re inviting parents, alumni, educators, small businesses, and community members to step forward as local champions. Here’s how:

Make a donation online today
Share why this campaign matters to you with everyone you know!

Every dollar helps. Donation Tiers that make an impact:

Donation	What It Funds
$25	One student check-in
$100	One week of family resource support
$250	A week of site coordinator time
$1,000	Kickstarts a pilot at a Mount Baker site

Thanks for being a community champion!

Expanding CISWS Supports to the Mount Baker School District

Communities In Schools of Whatcom-Skagit is fundraising for expansion!

Team Members