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| Last updated on June 19, 2008 |
Cocoon House fosters personal growth and healthy relationships to create connections and eliminate youth homelessness.
Serving homeless adolescents in Snohomish County, Cocoon House meets our community responsibility by providing them with:
- Shelter from the elements and abuse;
- Growth in education and life skills;
- Reconnection to their families or other nurturing groups;
- An opportunity to reach their potential.
Description:
Cocoon House is a pioneer in youth services, and has been since its inception. In the beginning we worked with Washington State to create the license model in which is currently in use with all youth shelter programs. We created new avenues of service for youth, and have always strived to maintain a continuum of care for the youth receiving services from us.
We provide services to teens and families in Snohomish and surrounding counties. These services include: emergency shelter and respite care; long term housing in a group home environment; chemical dependency and mental health services for youth in our care; prevention programs for families at risk; and coordination of care and outreach to teens at risk.
To provide these services we house Project SAFE, WayOUT Program, the Snohomish County Teen Advocates, the Cocoon House Shelter, and the Cocoon Complex. We have also formed alliances with Compass Mental Health, Northwest Treatment Alternatives, Community Health Centers, and local schools (especially the Everett School District) to provide specialty services to the youth in our care.
We constantly strive toward creating a system that allows our youth to retain or regain their childhood while developing into productive citizens. We have achieved great things, and look forward to many more achievements in the future.
History:
In 1991 Cocoon House developed a unique model to open and operate a desperately needed teen shelter to serve homeless and abused teens in Snohomish County. At the time there was no such license in Washington State, and Cocoon worked with Snohomish County Human Services, DSHS, and the local Lions Club (who purchased the house using bingo funds) to figure out a way to legally help this previously under-served population of youth.
Cocoon House worked across the state with many people to overcome legal obstacles to assure that the teens could access life support services that they were unable to previously without a parent or legal guardian. When parents were angry at their teens, they sometimes withheld basic essential life supports as a means of "punishment". Absentee parents, substance addicted parents, institutionalized parents, homeless families, have hot been providing any essential life supports nor the necessary developmental nurturing needed for the youth to develop their abilities.
The shelter serves youth ages 13 through 17. We also have a long term housing option for chronically homeless teens called the Cocoon Complex, which opened in 1994. It is a 20 unit, renovated motel for homeless and abused youth. The Complex provides long-term housing. Teens entering the Complex are teens who have tried all of the resources available within the community.
Contact person: Rebecca Wike, Volunteer Coordinator, (425) 259-5802 ext. 109, (email)
Office fax number: (425) 317-9632
Address:
Web Site: http://www.cocoonhouse.org
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