Cocoon House North helps teens in need
Published 10:17 pm Thursday, February 14, 2008
ARLINGTON — Cocoon House North is a place of last resorts.
Teens on the brink of homelessness come to the shelter for a soft bed and a warm meal. House parents Fred and Rhonda Paul offer encouragement and connection to resources, from counseling to exercise time at a fitness club.
“The parents provide such warm consistency for the kids,” said Cassie Koehn, director of development and community relations. “They give them that loving support that may or may not have been given to them at home. It’s there for them in this time of crisis.”
The shelter opened in December 2006, after years of fundraising and planning. The original Cocoon House is in Everett.
Nestled in a new home in a residential area near Smokey Point, the shelter serves mainly teens who live in the northern part of Snohomish County.
Though Cocoon House North is not operating at full capacity, Koehn said that’s to be expected during the first year or two after a teen shelter opens.
“It takes a while when you begin a new youth-serving program to gain the trust of the kids,” she said. “They often hear about it from other kids. I won’t expect this to be running at full capacity yet this year; probably next year.”
Reporter Kaitlin Manry: 425-339-3292 or kmanry@heraldnet.com.
