RootProject fully-funds first project with Cocoon House

Our team is very excited to announce that today RootProject has officially completed and distributed funding our first partnered project. As many of you know, we partnered with Cocoon House in Everett, Washington.

The comprehensive approach of Cocoon House, through the continuum of Outreach, Housing and Prevention, ensures that each young person is met where they are, physically and emotionally, to provide the best possible outcomes for their future. Young people connect with Cocoon House staff when in their programs, in their schools, or out on the street. Parents are provided with services to help keep their teen in the home or offer the smoothest transition possible if the teen is returning home from homelessness. This type of individualized service allows Cocoon House to meet the diverse needs of young people and their families in all possible ways because every child deserves a home and a bright future Cocoon House currently operates four shelters — two emergency and two long-term — and is the only Snohomish County agency that focuses on youth between the ages of 12–24.

One of the things that drew RootProject’s attention to Cocoon House is their work with LGBTQ+ youth. 32% of the youth in housing at Cocoon House identify as LGBTQ+. Cocoon House is proud to accept and respect a person’s chosen name and pronouns and is strongly committed to removing barriers and supporting inclusion and diversity in all its forms. They strive to create a safe and open atmosphere for young people, families, staff, community partners and donors.

The RootProject raised $5,200 for Cocoon House through crowdfunding. These funds will go to fund projects like the Intersectional Skill Building Program. This is a crucial element to helping young people develop the skills for adulthood. The program helps equip young people with everything from how to search for a job, to how to write a resume, to allowing them to relax and play video games for twenty minutes. Some Cocoon House residents attending high school use the program’s technology to help them with their classwork. The program is an 18-week series designed to ensure long-term success and assists participants with everything from personal growth to health topics and independent living.

Stephanie Almeida, Communications Manager with Cocoon House said: “We are always looking for innovative ways to help meet the needs of some of our most vulnerable community members, at-risk and homeless youth. We are excited to partner with Root Project as a pilot project to use the power of cryptocurrencies to crowdsource funding for critical programs and support.”

Using the power of blockchain, impact investment and crowdfunding for social good is exactly why we started RootProject. We want to be part of the solution and use innovative technology collaborating with world-class nonprofits, like Cocoon House, to solve the most significant issues facing our society while assisting those in immediate need and ending cycles of homelessness.

Today we took a step closer.

With the $5,200 crowdfunded by RootProject, we can help improve the chances of those young people and their families who need Cocoon House.

And we are just getting started.