By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The Cocoon, which serves local victims of domestic and sexual abuse, is in line to get $800,000 in the state’s Capital Budget.
“It’s pretty amazing,” said Michelle Clossick, executive director of the agency that serves all of Wood County, responding to emergencies 24 hours a day. Last year alone, the Cocoon had more than 6,000 requests for services, she said.
The $800,000 will help the agency meet those needs by helping to double the number of its emergency shelter beds to 24 at the yet-to-be completed facility at 200 Campbell Hill Road. The funding will also help with the renovation of the site to make it a fully accessible comprehensive advocacy center for victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
According to Clossick, the goal is to have shared community space in the center, “where everyone can come together.” There is not room for that in the existing shelter. The plan also calls for spaces for children to play inside and outside the facility.
The new Cocoon facility, including the emergency shelter space, should be open by May 2017.
Clossick explained that the program, formerly called the Cocoon Shelter, is now going by the name of Cocoon. “We’ve expanded our mission so we are now doing more comprehensive services.”
When the first Cocoon shelter opened in Bowling Green 11 years ago, there was one paid staff person. That number has grown to 25 staff now to meet the needs, Clossick said.
Clossick thanked State Sen. Randy Gardner and State Rep. Tim Brown, both R-Bowling Green, for pushing for the state funding.
“This was a very hard fought battle this year,” she said. “This is one of the largest funded community projects that’s ever happened in Wood County.”
“They chose to invest in this project because they saw a need,” Clossick said.
Gardner echoed those comments in a press release on the funding.
“New support for the Cocoon Shelter became one of our area’s top Capital Budget priorities. This funding will assist in the expanded ability for the Cocoon Shelter to help, support and protect women and children in need when domestic violence traumatizes their lives,” Gardner said. “We wish there was not such a need for places like the Cocoon Shelter, but as long as there is we must do what we can to help.”
The Capital Budget was introduced in the Ohio Senate on Tuesday. It includes funds for higher education, the Ohio School Facilities Commission, the Clean Ohio Fund and hundreds of community projects throughout Ohio. The bill is expected to be passed by the Ohio General Assembly and signed by Governor John Kasich in May.
