Cocoon House

LGBTQ+ youth experience homelessness at disproportionately high rates, often due to family rejection, discrimination, and lack of support. Join Cocoon House on Thursday, June 4 at 6PM at the Lynnwood Neighborhood Center for our upcoming Quarterly Forum: Understanding LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness: Why It Happens and Why It Matters. This complimentary event is an opportunity to learn more about the realities LGBTQ+ youth face, connect with community members, tour our new space, and engage in meaningful conversation about how we can create safer and more supportive communities for young people. Registration is required to ensure ample seating and refreshments. We hope you’ll join us and share this opportunity with your network. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gYR6fWvc

Every year, our community comes together for Cocoon House’s Butterfly Celebration — but we also hold a very special event just for the young people in our programs: Youth Butterfly. Youth Butterfly is an annual celebration where young people connected to Cocoon House are nominated and recognized for their growth, resilience, leadership, creativity, kindness, and strength. It is a chance to celebrate the progress they’ve made and remind them that their stories, accomplishments, and futures matter. A few weeks ago, we gathered at the Carl Gipson Center in Everett for this year’s Youth Butterfly awards ceremony. The evening was filled with music, laughter, heartfelt words from youth and staff, good food, a photo booth, and lots of applause as we celebrated each young person and the incredible ways they continue to grow. At Cocoon House, we believe every young person deserves to be seen, encouraged, and celebrated — and Youth Butterfly is one of the many ways we make that happen.

At Cocoon House’s Butterfly Celebration, we heard from Caitlin, a former Cocoon House youth, who shared a story that stayed with all of us. When Caitlin first arrived at Cocoon House nearly 20 years ago, waiting for her on her bed was a quilt. It was hers and no one else’s. In a time filled with uncertainty, that simple act of care made her feel safe, seen, and like she belonged. She still has that quilt today. That tradition continues at Cocoon House. Every young person who stays with us receives their own quilt — handmade with care by the incredible Cama Beach Quilters, who joined us at the Butterfly Celebration this year. At the end of the evening, Caitlin was able to pass along a brand new quilt to one attendee, reminding us all that warmth, comfort, and community are at the heart of what keeps young people going. Thank you to the Cama Beach Quilters for helping create moments of safety and belonging for youth, one quilt at a time. 🦋

Join us on Thursday, June 4 at 6PM for Cocoon House’s upcoming Quarterly Forum at the Lynnwood Neighborhood Center. In recognition of Pride Month, this quarter’s discussion will focus on Understanding LGBTQIA+ Youth Homelessness: Why It Happens and Why It Matters. This complimentary event is an opportunity to learn more about the challenges LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness face, connect with community members, tour our new space, and engage in meaningful conversation about how we can support young people in our community. Registration is required to ensure ample seating and refreshments. We hope you’ll join us and share this opportunity with your network. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gYR6fWvc

We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support of partners like Pacific Crest Savings Bank. The Butterfly Celebration is one of the most meaningful nights of the year for our organization. It’s a chance to center the voices, resilience, and achievements of the young people we serve while bringing our community together around hope and action. Thank you for believing in our mission and for helping ensure that youth in Snohomish County have access to safe housing, mental health support, education, and opportunities for a brighter future.

So grateful for partners like Premera Blue Cross who take the time to truly listen to and invest in young people in our community. Watching our youth share their stories with such honesty and strength was incredibly powerful. These moments are a reminder that safe housing, support, and community connection can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. Thank you to everyone who joined us last week and helped create a space centered on compassion, strength, and hope. We’re proud to continue this work together.

Honored to see the work of Raikes Foundation highlighting the importance of prevention and long-term support for young people transitioning out of foster care. At Cocoon House, we see every day how critical it is for young people to have stable housing, trusted adults, and systems that work together instead of leaving youth to navigate crisis alone. The progress happening in Washington shows what’s possible when communities choose to invest in young people before they fall through the cracks. We’re grateful to partner alongside organizations, advocates, and service providers committed to creating safer, more stable futures for youth across our state. Thank you to the Raikes Foundation team for visiting and for continuing to champion this work.

At Cocoon House’s Butterfly Celebration last week, former Cocoon House youth Caitlin shared a memory from nearly 20 years ago that has stayed with her ever since. The first thing she smelled when she walked through our doors was homemade applesauce. A staff member had a crockpot going in the kitchen, filled with warm spices and comfort. After experiencing homelessness and instability, that simple moment made her feel safe enough to finally breathe. At the end of her story, guests throughout the room shared applesauce family style together — a reminder that meals can create warmth, belonging, and connection. Every day, young people come to Cocoon House looking for that same feeling of safety, care, and community. We are currently in urgent need of Meal Train volunteers to help provide meals for youth accessing our U-Turn Drop-In Center. Individuals, families, workplaces, and community groups can all sign up to provide a meal. A warm meal may seem small, but for a young person experiencing homelessness, it can mean everything. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gvCqKnzF

Thank you for a truly inspiring Butterfly Celebration last night. What an incredible evening. We were honored to celebrate Rancy, Kelly, and Quentin — three amazing Butterfly Youth Award recipients who have overcome unimaginable challenges to meet their goals. Because of your generous support, these young people — and youth who will find safety and stability at Cocoon House in the future — are looking ahead to bright and hopeful futures. We were also inspired by Caitlin Rose, who shared how receiving services and support from Cocoon House 20 years ago has shaped her journey. We hope you enjoyed the special applesauce and felt the spirit of community and belonging Caitlin experienced all those years ago. If you unfortunately couldn't join us last night, please watch Caitlin’s moving testimony that highlights the lasting, long-term benefits of Cocoon House’s programs and services. https://lnkd.in/gjQGQuU9 There is still time to make an impact. Please consider making a gift to help create new opportunities for young people experiencing housing instability in our community. https://lnkd.in/gEekQAf5 Stay tuned for more photos from the evening — and thank you again for your generous support.