Ajuso House is a voluntary peer respite home in Stanwood, Washington. When life feels like too much, this is a place to land — staffed by people who have been through it themselves and know how to sit with you in it.
📍 Stanwood, Washington · Serving adults 18 and older across the region
Peer respite is not a hospital, a crisis unit, or a treatment program. It is a short-term stay in a real home, with people around you who have lived through their own mental health challenges — and came out the other side.
There are no whiteboards, no fluorescent waiting rooms, no being handed a clipboard on your hardest day. Just a quiet space, warm company, and the kind of support that only comes from someone who genuinely gets it.
You stay as long as you need — up to seven nights — and you leave when you are ready. Everything is voluntary. You are in charge.
"Peer support works because it is built on shared humanity, not professional distance. When someone says 'I have been there too,' it changes everything."
A comfortable residential setting — not institutional, not clinical. You have your own space, shared common areas, and the kind of quiet that is hard to find when things are hard.
Every staff member at Ajuso House is a Certified Peer Support Specialist with lived experience of mental health challenges. They are here because they chose to be — not because it is just a job.
You come when you are ready and leave when you choose. There is no court order, no mandatory treatment, no one holding you here. This is your stay, on your terms.
No diagnoses, no medication management, no therapy sessions. This is peer support — emotional, relational, and human. If you need clinical care, we will help connect you to the right place.
Not sure if Ajuso House is right for you or someone you care about? Just call us — (360) 610-6129 — and we will talk it through together. There is no wrong call to make.
Call us, have someone call for you, or ask your provider to reach out. There is no formal intake process — just a conversation.
A peer staff member will chat with you briefly to make sure Ajuso House is the right option. If it is, we arrange your arrival.
No paperwork on day one. You get settled, meet the staff, learn the rhythms of the house. You set the pace.
Up to seven nights. Some guests use every day. Some need three. You leave when it feels right — with support for what comes next.
"There are no schedules to follow, no groups you have to attend, no one telling you how to spend your time. Staff are present, available, and genuinely glad you are there."
The fastest way in. Call us and we will talk through your situation and check availability right away. No referral needed.
(360) 610-6129 →Hospitals, crisis teams, social workers, and mobile crisis services can refer directly. We make it easy for clinical partners to connect people to us.
Referral information →You do not need a doctor, a diagnosis, or anyone's permission. If you feel like you need a break, you can reach out yourself.
Send a message →We believe everyone deserves access to support — regardless of what they can pay. Here is how funding works at Ajuso House.
Ajuso House is contracted with Washington State's Health Care Authority (HCA). The current rate is $740 per day. If you have Apple Health or Medicaid, your stay may be fully covered.
We are actively expanding MCO contracting across Washington State. If your managed care plan is not yet contracted with us, we can help navigate your options.
Private pay arrangements are available on a case-by-case basis. We will always work with you to find something workable.
Ajuso maintains a community access fund for guests who cannot pay. No one who needs support will be turned away solely because of finances.
Our promise: If cost is a barrier, tell us. We will figure it out with you. Call us at (360) 610-6129 or email admin@ajuso.llc and we will have a real conversation about what is possible.
No. You do not need a diagnosis, a referral, or any paperwork to reach out. Ajuso House is for anyone who feels like they need support — full stop. You can call us directly and we will take it from there.
You can leave at any time. Your stay is entirely voluntary. We will support you in planning a safe transition — whether that means going home, moving to another level of care, or something else entirely.
Yes. Ajuso House is your home while you are here, and we want it to feel that way. We will share details about what to bring when you call to arrange your arrival.
No — not at all. Ajuso House is non-clinical. There is no psychiatric hold, no medication management, no mandatory programming. It is a peer-supported home environment, not a hospital. If someone needs inpatient care, we will help connect them to the right place.
Up to five guests can stay at a time. Everyone there is an adult going through their own difficult time. The house is designed to feel communal but not crowded — there is always space to be alone if you need it.
We do not just wave goodbye at the door. Before you leave, we work with you to make sure you have a safe plan — connections to community resources, follow-up care if needed, and people who know you are leaving. Your wellbeing does not stop at checkout.
Yes. We have a community access fund specifically for this situation. We also accept Medicaid through Washington State HCA. Cost should never be the reason someone does not get support — please reach out and we will figure it out together.
We work closely with hospitals, mobile crisis teams, social workers, and community organizations. Here is exactly what happens after you refer.
Our commitment: We will confirm availability and follow up within one business day of receiving your referral.