Cocoon House graduates emerge in Everett ceremony

Thank you.

Again and again, someone — a teenager, a local leader, even our state’s first lady — came to the podium at Thursday’s 18th annual Cocoon House Butterfly Graduation and expressed gratitude.

Trudi Inslee, the wife of Gov. Jay Inslee, told the crowd at the fundraising luncheon that she was there to “thank everybody in this room.”

“Without you, these things don’t happen,” she said.

Cocoon House, an Everett-based nonprofit agency, helps teens and young adults through its emergency shelters, long-term housing, street outreach, case management and homeless prevention services.

Its leaders thanked donors and sponsors of Thursday’s event, held in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center at Everett’s Xfinity Arena.

There were thanks to the Cocoon House staff, and to volunteers. Most of all, there were thanks from young people who have been helped — thanks for a place to call home.

It’s called a Butterfly Graduation, but rather than award diplomas or degrees the ceremony honors progress made by young people who have struggled with homelessness, family strife, substance abuse and other issues.

Thirty-five teens and young adults walked to the podium to cheers as they accepted Silver, Gold or Platinum Butterfly Awards, given in recognition of school achievement, progress in substance-abuse treatment, employment or maintaining stable housing.

“Cocoon House helped me find myself,” said one young man, removing his ball cap to accept his award.

“Without Cocoon House, I wouldn’t have graduated early,” said a young woman who plans to attend Western Washington University.

“I want to thank Cocoon House for everything they’ve done for me,” said Mia, a teen who said being homeless made her feel sad at school. “I’d go home to Cocoon House and feel I’m part of a family.”

Tanya Burgess, a former Cocoon House resident, now serves on its board of directors. Her story was featured in a video shown at the luncheon. She works at an Everett medical office and is continuing her education to become a physician assistant.

Cocoon House CEO Cassie Franklin thanked the agency’s longtime board member, Lyle Ryan, and his wife, P.J. Ryan, for their 15 years of service. The Ryans were honored with the agency’s Chrysalis Award.

Adam Cornell, a Snohomish County deputy prosecutor, shared the trials of his early years. With his birth parents involved in illegal drugs, he and his younger siblings were placed in foster care. He was eventually adopted, but there were other setbacks.

“I can tell you about the chaos, fear and uncertainty of not having a home,” Cornell said. “Those struggles are not what define me. People who stood with me made me who I am. Cocoon House is standing with young people in this community.”

Inslee said she worked in support of the Washington Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Act, signed recently by the governor. It will create an office of homeless youth programs in the state Department of Commerce, with a goal of preventing homelessness through access to services.

It’s meant to help teens like Ashley Danielson, who was honored with a Cocoon House platinum award.

Marty Shaw, the agency’s lead housing case manager, said Ashley had been living with her mother in cars and motels. “She attended school every day, but had to find new places to live, week after week,” he said. When she came to Cocoon House for help, she lacked self-confidence, he said. But as she approached her 18th birthday, Ashley persevered.

“Eighteen is a cliff for most of our youth,” Shaw said. It’s an age when many kids lose all financial support.

Ashley approached that cliff with “courage, consistency and integrity,” Shaw said. She applied for housing and hundreds of jobs. Employment was elusive, but she found work.

Now, she has had a job for nearly a year. After graduation in June, she’ll work full time. Ashley has her own place, too, and much gratitude for Cocoon House.

Inslee said she loves the notion of a cocoon, and seeing “young people grow into butterflies.”

Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; jmuhlstein@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.