Friendship House

" First steps Center" For the few 2 bathrooms they have for 45 people, this is just disgusting. The least they could do is wash these shower curtains but they just have mold everyday.

This place saved my life. Carly is a saint, Mollie is a treasure, and Tom is bearable.

Great people, clean, homey accomidations. Thank you everyone. I was coming into having pneumonia and another respiratory infection. I was cranky and scared. I found peace at Friendship House. I just got out of the hospital. I am weak and tired, grateful none the less. Blessed be, peace of the running wave... My apologies and thanks to all.

I've been a resident at the Skagit First Steps Center in Burlington for just short of three months now. While it's a warm and dry place to stay, it's not great. There are 45 cabins, and with 1-2 people per cabin. There are exactly two heated bathrooms, with one being a shower as well. For just the 40+ people on the 90 day program, not including the up to 25 cold weather shelter people, two toilets just isn't enough. I usually spend anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes waiting to use the bathroom most of the time. They also claim to provide 3 meals a day at set times. The issue with that is there is never enough food for everyone, so if you aren't there when the food arrives there is a chance you'll just not eat at all. Another thing is even when made aware of food allergies, they continue to serve those foods without alternatives or even a warning that it could be harmful. My last point is they almost track you even off property. You are only allowed off property from 8am to 10pm daily, but for everytime you leave or return you have to sign in or out. They've also required me to turn in my work schedule to them because I was coming home at 9:45 or 10:00. At the end of the day it's a place to stay, but it's not great

They could benefit from some updated info or pamphlets outside the door about how people can get on their vacancy lists. Wonderful service they provide and great for our community.

For being there 4 months, I can honestly say that it was quite the time. They were there when I had nowhere else to go and always offered ways not only to better myself, but the people around me and the house. If you need somewhere to go and you are dedicated to making the time you have better, I suggest you to to The Friendship House. Besides, you'll learn new things, meet new people and have a good time as long as you're really ready to help.

People have their ups and downs. Most have found the time here to be stressful but in a pinch, needed. They need more support and expanded services plus the community to provide more platforms for personal prosperity plus the ability to address each case instead of all the same. I would have been moved to Bellingham and housed by now but I chose this just as much as it chose me. This allowed me to experience a concept I had planned on implementation years ago and it's nice to see it as functional for those in need. I am amazed at how the staff hold up to how things can occasionally spiral down and out but when we serve many, it's the positive stories that shine through all the chaos. Opening up is rare but the staff seems to enjoy good souls and will hold tight to those doing what's needed towards a brighter future.

Currently residing here. We serve 3 meals a day to the public have a donation closet with limited clothing footwear and other apparel. We have showers available for the public three days a week a house manager available Mondays around 9 and refer people to appropriate agencies depending on what is being sought out.