Blue Mountain Thrive

BMAC Services
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Blue Mountain Thrive

Food Security for All

“The program gave me the tools I needed to have more confidence in myself. It was my first step. I found I learn better if I have one-to-one help. I wouldn’t be where I am today without that first step.”
– Theresa, Student Testimonial

Blue Mountain Thrive is a collaborative community well-being initiative serving the Walla Walla Valley.

In April 2024, Blue Zones, LLC announced that the Walla Walla Valley had achieved certified Blue Zones Community® status. After Blue Zones Project’s active engagement in the community concluded, local partners joined together under the leadership of the City of Walla Walla to create a roadmap for the future of well-being work. Building upon the best practices Blue Zones brought to the community, Blue Mountain Thrive was formed with the purpose of enhancing well-being in the Walla Walla Valley by improving the environments where we live, work, play, and learn.

Our well-being efforts will be focused on improving the top health risk factors as measured at the community and organization level. We will do this by deepening well-being awareness and practices for the broader community, especially among seniors, youth, and populations with greater health risks, in addition to partnering with schools and worksites.

Blue Zones Project Walla Walla Valley Community Lookbook

Adult Literacy

This program offers FREE one-on-one tutoring for adults with low income. We can help you get better at things like:

· Basic literacy (reading, writing and basic math)

· ELL (English language learner)

· High School Equivalency (GED)

· US Citizenship (naturalization civics test)

· Computer Skills

· Document Tasks (job applications, bus schedules)

· Test Preparation (driver’s license, CNA certification)

· And more...

I feel like this has been a final puzzle piece for this being a sustainable life where we can start to worry about things like 'Are my kids happy?,' 'How is school going?,' 'What can we do for fun as a family?' versus 'What can we do to survive?'
-Pro Bono Client
PreETS: Pre-Employment Transition Services

This program assists young adults with disabilities interested in entering the workforce. BMAC has partnered with Washington State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to offer Pre-Employment Transition Services including workshops and workplace opportunities for eligible students in our region.

Workshop topics may include:

  • Workplace Communication
  • Job Readiness
  • Work-based Learning Experiences
  • Career Exploration
  • Work Maturity (Soft) Skills
  • Self-Advocacy Skills
  • Building Strengths

All Pre-ETS workshops and employment services require a consultation and referral from DVR.

Community Jobs & Community Works

Community Jobs (CJ) and Community Works (WC) are two key tracks of WorkFirst, Washington State's version of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, designed to help families achieve stability and financial independence. Both tracks place participants in real-world work settings to build skills and gain experience.

Some key points:

  • Participants must be a TANF recipients
  • CJ/WC opportunities combine real work experience with skills development, support services, and case management
  • Employment opportunity lengths vary between 3-12 months

Interested in participating? Contact a DSHS case manager for a Department of Commerce Community Jobs or Community Works referral.

Are you a nonprofit organization interested in hosting a CJ/WC participant? Click here to learn more.

WIOA Youth*

WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) Youth serves in- and out-of-school youth ages 16-21 with occupational skills training, on-the-job training and/or paid work experiences.

Youth must be experiencing one or more of the following barriers to qualify:

  • English Language Learner
  • Pregnant or parenting
  • Current or former foster care
  • Criminal justice involvement
  • Disability
  • Homeless/couch surfing
  • Basic skill deficiency
  • Low-income status
WIOA Adult*

WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) Adult serves income-eligible participants 18 and over from Walla Walla or Columbia counties, occupational skills training (from an eligible training provider in an occupation considered in-demand in the local labor market) or on-the-job training opportunities.

Other services may include:

  • Career exploration
  • Labor market information
  • Assessment of skills and interests
  • Development of career plan
  • Job search assistance
  • Work readiness skills
  • Resume assistance
  • Employer outreach
For more information about any of these programs, please call Barbara Maxwell at 509-529-4980 or info@bmacww.org.‍‍

BMAC is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Washington Relay Service 711.
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*BMAC receives support and funding from U.S. Department of Labor Grants. Read more about USDOL grant funding at: https://esd.wa.gov/about/stevens-amendment.

Who Is Eligible for SSVF Services?

To qualify for SSVF, you must meet three or more of the following:

  • Be a veteran (served in the military, navy, or air service—not dishonorably discharged).
    • Note: Veterans who served in the National Guard must have been called to active duty by presidential order.
  • Be part of a veteran family (the head of household or their spouse is a veteran).
  • Have a low income (less than 50% of the average income in your area).
  • Be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless soon (in less than 30 days).

SSVF Services:

Temporary Financial Assistance
SSVF works with you through case management (meeting with a case manager to make a plan). Some people in the program may get Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) if they are about to lose their housing or have no housing at all.

Because every person and family is different, not everyone will qualify for the same kind of financial help categories listed below:
  • Rental Assistance
  • Application and/or Background Check Fees
  • Security Deposits - Utility & Housing
  • Utility Bill Assistance
  • Clothing for work
  • Moving Costs
  • Child Care
  • Transportation - Auto Repairs, Bus Passes
  • Move-in Kits/Beds
Shallow Rental Subsidy
Because housing is so expensive, BMAC's SSVF program now offers a new kind of rent help called Shallow Subsidy. This program gives a smaller amount of rent help, but for a longer time—up to 24 months. It is for veteran families who:
  • Have a low income (under 50% of the area's average income)
  • Already got short-term rent help from SSVF (like Rapid Rehousing or Homelessness Prevention)
  • Still need help to stay in their home
Shallow Subsidy helps veterans who are paying too much of their income on rent and need extra time to become stable in permanent housing.

SSVF promises to help pay part of the rent each month for up to 2 years—unless the family moves or gets another long-term rent program.

Veterans in this program will also get light case management, with more support if a crisis happens.
Legal Services

All veterans in BMAC's SSVF program can get free legal help for non-felony issues through our Pro Bono Legal Program.

We may be able to help with:

  • Evictions
  • Child support problems
  • Applying for SSI or SSDI (disability benefits) or help with appeals
  • Landlord/Tenant problems, like:
    • Knowing your rights
    • Housing safety problems
    • Getting your deposit back
    • Reviewing your lease
  • Old warrants or court fines
  • Applying for VA benefits or help with a claim
  • Getting your driver's license back
  • Clearing your criminal record
  • Debt problems, including:
    • Asking for debt forgiveness
    • Filing for bankruptcy
  • Upgrading a military discharge (if you're already in SSVF and it helps your housing plan)
Healthcare Navigation
Because of COVID-19, the SSVF program now offers help with health care. SSVF Healthcare Navigators work with veterans to make it easier to get the care they need. We can help with:
  • Getting into the health care system
  • Making doctor appointments
  • Using health services, including checkups and other care
  • Solving problems that make it hard to get care (like no ride, no childcare, etc.)
  • Learning about staying healthy and finding wellness resources
  • Helping with SOAR applications (for disability benefits like SSI or SSDI)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can SSVF pay for hotel/motel stays?
Veterans must qualify and be enrolled in the SSVF program to get any financial help. To get help paying for a hotel or motel stay, all of these must be true:
  • No emergency shelter is available
  • No space is available in a GPD (veteran housing) program
  • No friends, family, or money to stay somewhere else
  • No other agency can help with housing
  • The veteran will have no place to stay without this help
Please note: To stay in a hotel longer, you must look for housing and apply for rental units each week.
Can SSVF pay for hotels if the veteran is unable to care for themselves?
SSVF cannot pay for hotel stays for veterans who need a higher level of care and cannot live on their own.
Is SSVF able to pay for damages to the motel/hotel?
The cost of deposits or damages to property is not an allowable expense with SSVF funds.
Can SSVF utilize Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) for any veteran?
SSVF can only give financial help to veterans who are eligible, enrolled in the program, and would be homeless without this help.
How can a veteran access BMAC's SSVF program?
If you are a veteran without housing and live in Walla Walla County, you must go through Coordinated Entry first. They will ask you questions and connect you to the best program for your needs.

You can reach Coordinated Entry at BMAC by calling Assistant Director of Health & Homes Michele Dobbins at 509-529-4980 or emailing micheled@bmacww.org or visiting our office at 8 E. Cherry Street, Walla Walla, during business hours (Monday-Thursday, 8:30AM-5PM and Friday, 8:30AM-4PM).

If you are a veteran outside Walla Walla County, call the SSVF program directly at 509-529-4980 ext. 614. We will do a phone screening and, if you qualify, enroll you in the program within one business day.

If you do not qualify, we will connect you to another program that can help.
How do veterans access SSVF for Homeless Prevention assistance?
Veterans can now complete the screening and intake by phone by calling 509-529-4980 ext. 614.

You can also fill out the help request form online by clicking here.

We use electronic signatures to make the process faster. BMAC will finish the screening and intake within one business day after you call or apply. If you do not qualify, we will connect you to another program that can help.
When can a veteran contact the SSVF program?
BMAC’s SSVF program is open Monday–Thursday, 8:30AM–5PM, and Fridays, 8:30AM-4PM. The SSVF program completes screenings and intakes within one business day of referral from Coordinated Entry and for veterans seeking homeless prevention services.
What do I do if a veteran needs assistance and the SSVF program office is closed?
SSVF helps veterans find or keep long-term housing. We do not provide emergency shelter. If a veteran need a place to stay right away, refer them to an emergency shelter.
Does the SSVF program work with veterans who have a HUD-VASH voucher?
Yes, the HUD-VASH team must complete a referral to SSVF for financial help requests only under the following conditions:
  • The HUD-VASH participant is literally homeless.
  • The HUD-VASH participant has not signed a lease yet.
When a HUD-VASH program participant contacts BMAC's SSVF program directly, they are referred back to their HUD-VASH Case Manager for help and services.
How are HUD-VASH Referrals processed for SSVF?
Before a veteran moves in or signs a lease, the HUD-VASH team must send the full paperwork to BMAC's SSVF program. This should be done while the veteran is looking for housing.
Can the SSVF program assist HUD-VASH program participants with rental arrears?

Yes, the SSVF program may help with past-due rent (rental arrears) for veterans who have a HUD-VASH voucher—but only if they are enrolled in BMAC’s SSVF program.

To get this help:

  • The HUD-VASH caseworker and SSVF staff must create a written plan together.
  • The plan must show how the veteran will be able to stay in their housing long-term.
  • It must include clear steps to pay back rent or reduce it, and may include:
    • Money management classes
    • Help with substance use or legal issues
    • Credit counseling
    • Other needed support

If the veteran already lives in the home and owes rent or utilities, it’s strongly recommended that they have a trusted third-party financial helper (someone who helps manage their money). This helper should stay involved until the veteran is ready to manage money on their own again.

Has BMAC's SSVF program informed the VA on how to access services through BMAC's SSVF program?
Yes, BMAC’s SSVF program has shared written steps and given training to the VA Medical Center (VAMC) on how to get help for veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
CLEAR - Free Legal Services for Low-Income People

Coordinated Legal Education, Advice, & Referral System (CLEAR) gives free legal help for low-income people with non-criminal problems.

It can be hard to get through, so be patient:

  • Save the number in your phone
  • Keep calling until someone answers
  • If you’re on hold, don’t hang up

For help or more information, call 1-888-201-1014, Monday to Friday, from 9:15AM to 12:15PM. To apply online, click here.

CLEAR may give you legal advice and/or connect you to BMAC's Pro Bono Legal Services program. For more information, resources, and legal forms, visit www.washingtonlawhelp.org.

Our Programs:

Backpack Bridge
BMAC started the Backpack Bridge program in 2017 to help students who receive free or reduced meals from their schools during the week but were going hungry on weekends. This affects one out of five kids in our communities. Now, thanks to local support, students in need can take home a food kit each weekend so they can prepare easy meals and a snack on their own. We work with community partners and schools to distribute the meals to students across our community, ensuring they have enough to eat over the weekend and during school breaks. 
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Demand for the Backpack Bridge program has surged, tripling in some schools. This program is funded entirely by individual donations, and we need your help keeping up.

Click here to make sure that no children in our community go hungry over the weekend.
Mobile Distribution (Touchet, Prescott, Burbank)
To access a drive-thru mobile food distribution, first-time clients will need to fill out the TEFAP Registration form. No documentation is needed. After that initial form is received by BMAC Food Bank employees, a Walla Walla Food Access Card will get issued to that client to use when they visit one of the drive-thru mobile food distributions.

Click here for BMAC's Mobile Food Distribution Calendar.

Picking up a box of food on Distribution Day? Fill out the TEFAP Registration Form ahead of time!

Can't pick up a box of food yourself? Have someone pick a box for you by filling out a Proxy Form.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (for eligible seniors 60+)
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) distributes food boxes to registered seniors (ages 60+) who are on a fixed income and program-eligible.  Distributions are held on the third Thursday of the month at the BMAC Food Bank (921 W. Cherry St., Walla Walla).  

Applications for CSFP are available at the BMAC Office (8 E. Cherry St., Walla Walla), or at the BMAC Food Bank (921 W. Cherry St., Walla Walla).
Grocery Rescue, Donations, and Gleaning
Each year, our team rescues over 300,000 pounds of food from grocery stores, farms, and gardens, saving the food from the landfill, and supporting our neighbors in need!

We also partner with farms or home gardeners to glean excess produce that may otherwise die on the vine. We include that fresh produce in food boxes and deliver it to local food pantries.

Volunteer Gleaning - Text VOLUNTEER to (833) 753-0944 to receive updates about opportunities to help us harvest produce from our partner farms and orchards. These opportunities often have little notice and require lots of hands!

Want to gather veggies from your friends and neighbors? Click here to download the list of preferred produce. Don’t let your extra tomatoes or tree fruit go to waste! We’d love to share it with our neighbors in need.
Farm To Food Pantry
BMAC partners with Harvest Against Hunger and the Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to bring local produce to those in need through “Farm to Food Pantry.” This program allows BMAC to purchase fresh produce directly from local small farms like Frog Hollow Farm, Hayshaker Farm, R&R Produce, and Welcome Table Farm, and distribute the produce to our neighbors in need through BMAC’s food pantry network.  
“Purchasing directly from a local farmer will increase the availability of local crops while improving access to healthier food choices for families and individuals in need. Buying produce directly from the farmers also dramatically strengthens the bond between farmer and food bank. Our experience has shown that if a farmer has a strong relationship with a local food bank they are significantly more inclined to make additional produce donations.”

-Harvest Against Hunger
SNAP/Basic Food
The Washington State Basic Food Program, also called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reduces hunger and malnutrition by providing people with financial help to buy groceries. Many people who qualify are not yet signed up to receive benefits.  

Click here to learn more about eligibility and benefits.  

BMAC has dedicated staff who can help clients begin the application. Have questions? Call the BMAC Food Bank at 509-529-3561.

Ways to support the BMAC Food Bank:

Donate Funds
A one-time gift can provide immediate support to a family in need, but a monthly recurring donation through our Friends of the BMAC Food Bank program ensures consistent support empowering our neighbors build self-sufficiency and long-term stability.  
Donate Food
The BMAC Food Bank welcomes donations of shelf-stable food items such as canned vegetables, fruits, and meats, as well as on-the-go snacks such as granola bars, jerkies, etc.  For a comprehensive list of Food Bank staple items always in demand, click here.
Host a Food Drive
If you and your friends or business would like to conduct a food drive, we can help set you up for success. Click here to download a DIY Tool Kit.
Host a Fundraiser
Info coming soon!
Join the BMAC Glean Team
Text VOLUNTEER to (833) 753-0944 to receive updates about opportunities to help us harvest produce from our partner farms and orchards. These opportunities often have little notice and require lots of hands!

Want to gather veggies from your friends and neighbors? Click here to download the list of preferred produce.

Our Promise:

Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online HERE, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation.
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The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
  1. Mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. Fax:
    (833) 256-1655 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email:
    program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal-opportunity provider.
Financial Classes
BMAC offers a free 7-week class in the spring and fall for anyone who wants to learn the basics of managing money. The class covers: Money Mindset, Banking, Savings, Budgeting, Credit, and Debt.
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We offer the class to:
  • Adults in English
  • Adults in Spanish
  • Youth (14-18) in English
To register for an upcoming financial class, email Barbara Maxwell at info@bmacww.org or call 509-529-4980.
Financial Coaching
Want to learn more about finances? BMAC offers one-to-one financial coaching  in English and Spanish. Meetings can cover banking, budgeting, credit, debt, and more!

To schedule an appointment, please call 509-529-4980 or email info@bmacww.org.
Free Tax Preparation
The AARP Tax-Aide Program offers free income tax preparation and e-filing in Walla Walla typically from February 1 to April 15 at the Walla Walla Senior Center (720 Sprague Street). This service is open to everyone without regard to income or age, who are filing a simple tax form.

Information on how to schedule an appointment with Tax-Aide with be available in January.
Earned Income Tax Credit
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) gives money back to people who work with low- and moderate-income. It helps lower federal taxes and can give a refund. The amount you get depends on your income, if you're married, and how many children you have.

For more information on the EITC, check out the IRS EITC website.
Working Families Tax Credit
The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) gives money back once a year to low- and middle-income workers in Washington State. You can apply for it after you file your federal taxes.
Bank On Walla Walla
In Walla Walla County, 7.6% of people are unbanked, meaning without a bank account, and 17.8% of people are under-banked, meaning they have a bank account, but are relying upon high-fee credit or check-chasing services. (Data from Prosperity Now Scorecard, 2019.)

Bank on Walla Walla is a program that connects people who are currently unbanked and underbanked to safe, low-cost and convenient bank accounts. Key features of a national certified Bank On account include:
  • Safe/Secure: No overdraft, non-sufficient funds, or dormancy fees.
  • No Surprise Fees: No monthly fees of $5 or less for low opening balances of $25 or less.
  • Convenient: Free deposits, free withdrawals, and free bill payments.
Bank On partners include:
  • Banner Bank, Digital Account
    1 E. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362
    509-526-8731
  • Chase Bank, Secure Banking
    101 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362
    509-527-3300
  • Umpqua Bank, Foundation Account
    680 W. Rose St., Walla Walla, WA 99362
    509-529-2048
  • U.S. Bank, Safe Debit Account
    22 E. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362
    509-525-4400
  • WaFd Bank, Fresh Start Account
    111 W. Main St., Walla Walla, WA 99362
    509-525-4400
Credit Reports
Consumers are allowed free access to their credit report from the three credit bureaus (Experian, Transunion, and Equifax) as often as once a week via www.annualcreditreport.com.

Be prepared to present the following information when obtaining a credit report:
  • Full Name
  • Date of Birth
  • Social Security Number
  • Current Address (and previous address if you have moved in the last 2 years)
  • A series of security questions to verify your identity
Need help accessing your credit report? Call BMAC at 509-529-4980, and one of our financial coaches will schedule an appointment to help you in getting your credit reports.

BMAC Programs

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