EVERETT — Cocoon House’s drop-in resource center is going through a striking transformation — courtesy of Snohomish County’s landscapers.
About 20 people worked all day Friday at the U-Turn center as part of a project by the Snohomish County chapter of the Washington Association of Landscape Professionals. All told, 22 local companies donated materials, labor and time, said Deby Kohlwes from Grounds Professionals in Mukilteo.
“It’s amazing what was accomplished in one day,” she said. “That just goes to show you that a small group of people can make a huge difference.”
Kohlwes’ crew was in charge of planting.
Cocoon House is a nonprofit organization providing services to homeless and at-risk teens in Snohomish County. The U-Turn center is a place for teens to get a cup of soup, a box of juice and information on housing and substance abuse counseling, said Larry Warner, a volunteer and board member at Cocoon House.
Cocoon House moved to the property at 16th Street and Broadway in October. The building used to house an architecture firm and a credit union before that. The building got a paint job and new floors, but the center needed a real makeover, Warner said. “It helps improve the neighborhood and make us look a little nicer,” he said.
The group reworked the landscaping around the center and cleaned up the area in front of the entrance. The old drive-through became a covered outdoor area for the kids.
A landscape architect also created the design for free.
Volunteers brought life back to the lot, said Lorretta Morris, program manager at U-Turn. Many people have noticed how well-kept and professional it looks now.
“It felt a little forgotten, and now it has a really nice feel to it,” she said. “It feels pretty special to be on the receiving end of this project.”
Morris said this was the biggest contribution to the program in the five years she’s worked there.
The landscapers are looking for a cement company to help with the next phase of the project — a concrete wall with steps and a patio.
Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
