Homeless teens get 'awesomely comfortable' makeover
EVERETT, Wash. - A home for teens on the street just got a huge makeover.
It's called Cocoon House, and it's a critical lifeline for kids on the street in Everett.
Now volunteers have hammered out a new beginning for kids on the brink during a one-day massive makeover. And the teens there said the place would really use it.
"I hope they paint the rooms a better color, and hopefully they can fix the toilets a little bit because they are not really working that well," said resident Cory Midkiff.
"Hoping to get us some electronics as well so we can hang a TV on the wall this time, and we'll set it up with video games," said another resident.
"It's going to be pretty awesome - can't wait, I'm looking forward to it," said resident Torrance Atkinson a day before the residents were put in temporary quarters during the day-long makeover.
For these residents and most of the kids here, Cocoon House is the only place they can turn.
Rochelle Koon says, "I know me, personally, I lived on the streets off and on for a while, in and out of shelters, and like when I say 'the streets' I mean not like a friend's house, but on the cement and stuff."
Lee Trevitchick of Cocoon House says, "Three hundred young people who are out on the streets every night living in campgrounds, in east county, under bridges in Everett - and we have about 1,300 kids annually who are homeless."
An army of volunteers is doing everything from critical electrical work to a fresh coat of paint.
"So what you're really talking about is 450 man-hours between dawn and dusk today," said volunteer Micheal Nanney.
Jay Stout, another volunteer, said, "I think it's great giving back to the community, something good for the kids."
When the kids returned after the makeover, they barely recognized their home.
"It really actually looks nice. Looks 10 times better, looks homey," said Troisun Decker.
Resident Patrick Mills said, "Feels nice to be in here, it's not all crowded, you can enjoy the environment. It's a real incentive to go do better."
"I think we can just chill on the floor, which is going to be awesomely comfortable now. Like talk and not all freak out and stuff," said Rochelle Koon.
Several teens from Cocoon House will graduate Sunday from their Butterfly program, which assures kids have the skills and education to get off the streets permanently.
It's called Cocoon House, and it's a critical lifeline for kids on the street in Everett.
Now volunteers have hammered out a new beginning for kids on the brink during a one-day massive makeover. And the teens there said the place would really use it.
"I hope they paint the rooms a better color, and hopefully they can fix the toilets a little bit because they are not really working that well," said resident Cory Midkiff.
"Hoping to get us some electronics as well so we can hang a TV on the wall this time, and we'll set it up with video games," said another resident.
"It's going to be pretty awesome - can't wait, I'm looking forward to it," said resident Torrance Atkinson a day before the residents were put in temporary quarters during the day-long makeover.
For these residents and most of the kids here, Cocoon House is the only place they can turn.
Rochelle Koon says, "I know me, personally, I lived on the streets off and on for a while, in and out of shelters, and like when I say 'the streets' I mean not like a friend's house, but on the cement and stuff."
Lee Trevitchick of Cocoon House says, "Three hundred young people who are out on the streets every night living in campgrounds, in east county, under bridges in Everett - and we have about 1,300 kids annually who are homeless."
An army of volunteers is doing everything from critical electrical work to a fresh coat of paint.
"So what you're really talking about is 450 man-hours between dawn and dusk today," said volunteer Micheal Nanney.
Jay Stout, another volunteer, said, "I think it's great giving back to the community, something good for the kids."
When the kids returned after the makeover, they barely recognized their home.
"It really actually looks nice. Looks 10 times better, looks homey," said Troisun Decker.
Resident Patrick Mills said, "Feels nice to be in here, it's not all crowded, you can enjoy the environment. It's a real incentive to go do better."
"I think we can just chill on the floor, which is going to be awesomely comfortable now. Like talk and not all freak out and stuff," said Rochelle Koon.
Several teens from Cocoon House will graduate Sunday from their Butterfly program, which assures kids have the skills and education to get off the streets permanently.
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