Chelsea Monroe, Director of Development and Community Relations at the Cocoon House spoke to our Club on Friday, January 11, 2019. The Cocoon House was founded by Carrie Gilman in 1991.
Cocoon House exists to break the cycle of homelessness. It started with a need, an idea and a dollar. Helped by the Everett Lions Club who bought the first home and sold it to the Cocoon House for $10. Currently, the Cocoon House is a $5 million dollar organization with 90 employees.
Here is why services at the Cocoon House are needed: In 2016 Snohomish County school districts reported 3,700 homeless students which was an increase of 600 over the previous year. In 2015, the Point in Time Count showed that there were 200 youth under the age of 18 years old that did not have a permanent address. The average age that a youth becomes homeless is 14 1/2. Within 48 hours of a teen being on the street, they are approached by a predator.
Teen homelessness can be difficult to identify. Many couch surf. Many are not like you "typical" homeless person. They look very different than then an adult homeless person. The Cocoon House offers street outreach, housing navigation, 24/7 crisis pickup, education and employment support and rapid re-housing.
What is at stake - Homelessness is a crisis in our communities and can lead to drugs and alcohol. Currently under construction is The Colby Avenue Youth Center at 3035 Colby Avenue. The facility will have a counseling center, medical center, with meeting space and 20 units of housing. The new building has 12 beds for youth 18-24 and is three stories with about 3,200 sq. ft. of space. Should be ready in early April.