whatcom Resiliency Corps

Whatcom Resiliency Corps (WRC) is seeking founding members of a group of individuals who want to learn new skills and help others, while strengthening the bonds and friendships within their community. WRC is focused on connecting urban and rural community members through activities such as food production, community service, and work parties. Through the development of pragmatic skills, support of local businesses and supply chains, and knowing your neighbor, we seek to build resilient communities that will continue to thrive despite disruptions due to climate change, natural disasters, and pandemics.

What is resiliency? As defined in the Marriam-Webster Dictionary, resiliency describes "an ability to recover from or adjust easily to adversity or change." Another definition includes "the ability of something to return to its original size and shape after being compressed or deformed."

Why must Whatcom County become resilient? Whether it be due to climate change, our high earthquake and flood risk, pandemics such COVID-19, or supply chain shortages, there is much to worry about in today's world. Whatcom Resiliency Corps believes that gaining new and honing existing skills and strengthening relationships can be fun and empowering! Human connection is the backbone of any community and is key to building resiliency. We believe anything that strengthens human connection builds resiliency. WRC wants to strengthen our county by breaking down barriers between urban and rural communities. Whatcom County contains a wealth of natural resources and human know-how: let's develop local supply chains and resource sharing!

Anticipated Activities: Whatcom Resiliency Corps seeks to be a banner under which limitless groups may form such as:

• Groups focused on skill building may include gardening, raising livestock, backyard poultry, farming, homesteading, composting, carpentry, automotive repair, sewing, and canning.

• Groups focusing on work parties such as volunteering, gleaning, and assisting elderly and infirmed community members.

• Groups focusing on social activities such as hiking, biking, exercising, and visiting local businesses.

We will initially organize by turning out members to sign up for events hosted by established organizations.

Once our membership grows, WRC would like to organize and host classes, work parties, webinars, and social gatherings.

Why join WRC? Do you have a skill that you want to learn? Are you someone with a skill who would be willing to teach? Do you want to meet new friends? In a world full of uncertainty, investing in your community and becoming resilient is a way to retake control over your life!

Become a founding member! Please introduce yourself and send your ideas or comments to the below email address!

Contact: whatcomresiliencycorps@gmail.com