Category: CCO Residents

Back-to-School Party Photo Album!

Posted on by Beth

The CCO Back-to-School Party was a hit! Children at CCO enjoyed games, art projects, new books, high-energy dancing, face painting, and academic motivation! Parents and children alike were thrilled the kids got new backpacks, shoes, school supplies, and support to start the academic year off right. Each year, staff, volunteers, and donors go all out to make the B2S party memorable. Scroll down to enjoy the 2024 Back-to-School Photo Album & Sponsorship logos!

Sponsorship is an integral part of making CCO events remarkable. This year’s generous sponsors were Baird & Warner, Tiny Giants Early Learning Center, Twinkling Stars, and Lakefront Roofing Supply. Thank you to these fabulous local businesses who put their time, energy, and financial support behind kids sheltered at CCO! We couldn’t do it without you!

Thank you!

Do you want to learn how CCO cultivates every child’s potential? Click here to learn more.

Many thanks to our generous and dedicated donors!

Click on the logos below to learn more about these generous local business that support CCO’s mission, shelter guests, and events.

Click the link below to give a gift that will improve the lives of unhoused children while supporting CCO’s mission to Address Homelessness, Provide Shelter, Accept People,
and Help them find a Home.

Child at CCO to Medical Technician!

Posted on by Beth

This story is from the CCO Archives.

When Lillian’s* family came to CCO, she was 12 years old, but she wasn’t new to the homeless experience. For years, she and her family had shuffled from one extended family member’s house to another. At each new destination, disputes erupted, and she and her family were again displaced, forced to move on to the next couch, floor space, or basement. Lillian grew up with a front-row seat to the destabilizing effects of homelessness but she found hope.

“It was always the same, every day after school. I would make up a story to tell my friends why I was walking the other way. ‘I’ve got to go to my uncle’s house.’ I didn’t want them to know I was homeless. I was ashamed of it. I never shared it with anybody, and they never knew.

At CCO, I got to know the staff. They were softer, kinder, and gentler than the adults I had been around. As a child, some of my best memories were of CCO volunteers and staff teaching me how to do crafts. It had an enormous influence on me. They taught me how to tie dye. I appreciated it. It opened my eyes to art and artistic expression. I’m still a crafter today! It’s a part of who I am. While my family lived at the shelter, CCO did a lot of outdoor stuff. I remember getting out of the city and camping, experiencing nature. It was one of the best times of my childhood.”

Lillian’s family moved from the shelter into an apartment and successfully left CCO, but struggles within her family intensified already damaged relationships. “I ran away because I kept being told, ‘You won’t amount to anything.’ I knew I needed a change. All my high school years, I worked up to 45 hours a week. I would get up and go to school, get out of school, and work until midnight or 2 am. Then, do it over and over again. I had a consistent work history, but my education suffered. I didn’t have much hope. My big dream was to be the manager of a fast-food restaurant. I thought that was the best I could do.”

Desperate to break free, Lillian leaped into the unknown. “I enlisted in the Air Force. At basic training, I was asked, ‘Are you afraid of blood?’ I answered “No,” and began training as a surgical technician. I didn’t realize then how that one question would shape my life! I decided I was going to work hard in the military. The Air Force made me feel like I had a family. It was the first time in my life that I had the structure and support to achieve my goals. I’ll never forget the day one of the drill sergeants walked past me at basic training and said, ‘That Lillian, she’s going to be a great airman.’ I felt like I could fly!

I was stationed in Washington DC. I took pride in my work and the Air Force. Years went by, and my surgical technician experience and knowledge grew, but I knew, deep down, that I wanted a civilian life.
After leaving the military, I returned to Chicago and got a job at a prestigious orthopedic hospital. I wanted to shine. My work as a surgical technician was exciting and exhausting. I assisted with total joint replacements and worked 50 hours a week. I cared about the patients and my co-workers. Through my work, I learned more about medical research, which led to a yearning to return to school and get a degree. So, I did! I continued to work full-time, and I enrolled in online courses.

I got my degree in Healthcare Administration. I was told I would amount to nothing, yet there I stood with my diploma in hand. I couldn’t stop crying. It was a dream come true. I had finally shown the world and myself that I could accomplish something. I never stopped trying. Today, I am a partner in a medical technologies company and have authored a published medical research paper.

I look back at myself as a little girl trying to survive family conflict and homelessness, as a teen closing McDonald’s late at night, as a recruit entering basic training, as a young surgical tech stepping into the operating room, and as an adult student studying for an exam. I truly don’t believe I would have made it to the place I am today without hope.

When it comes to being homeless, it’s easy to give up and fall into sorrow. Don’t give up. If you’re homeless right now, find organizations like Cornerstone Community Outreach. They will help with food, clothes, shelter, training, and housing referrals; these steps will get you where you need to go. It is not easy. I’m not trying to minimize the situation, but there is help, there is hope!”

-“Lillian,” as told to Beth Nicholls
*Name changed to protect confidentiality

Families with children of all ages find shelter and support at CCO daily. 24 hours of shelter for one guest, regardless of age, is $26. Please consider donating to CCO‘s vital work today! Click here to give.

Cultivating Every Child’s Potential

Posted on by Beth

In 2023, 244 children called CCO home; over half were school-aged. Education has a powerful influence on the life of a child. CCO aims to equip children with confidence and support to begin and maintain an exceptional school year. The Back-to-School Party and its Sponsors ensure children receive backpacks, supplies, and other essentials to start the year right. Academic support is part of each child’s experience at CCO. Through one-on-one tutoring, specialized family support, dedicated open-air play spaces like the CCO Rooftop Playground and Garden, computer labs, and advocating for children’s academic rights, we work to ensure children at CCO have every opportunity to learn and grow.

In the 2023-24 school year, Chicago Public Schools identified 26,800 students as experiencing homelessness, a more than 50% increase from the previous year. The data reflects a shocking acceleration in homelessness among school-aged children. Research studies in the U.S., U.K., and beyond say that homelessness leads to adverse educational outcomes.

What is CCO doing to bolster the opportunities and academic future for unhoused children?

CCO has a longtime partnership with Chicago Hopes for Kids, which provides after-school tutoring, fun activities, parental support, and summer enrichment programs. Chicago Hopes brings consistent, one-on-one, positive engagement that children need to learn during a difficult time. They strengthen families through peer and group support. This invaluable partnership benefits students and parents alike.

The CCO Rooftop Playground is a safe, accessible, and fun space for children to learn through play. Children can enjoy the fresh air and fun as they race around the playground. Children learn through play, from the playground sandpit, slides, climbing equipment, bicycles, or exploring the CCO Rooftop Garden. These adventures help prepare children for learning. The UCL Institute of Innovation & Public Purpose, a London-based academic research institute, found that physical space is crucial for unhoused children’s physical development, supporting their gross motor skills and ability to engage in play. When play is encouraged and possible, children improve social skills, personal agency, and healthy conflict, providing a foundation for lifelong learning.

CCO family case managers advocate for the rights afforded unhoused children through the McKinney/ Vento Act. These include –
– A right to remain in their “school of origin.” Many families have to move out of their school district area when they experience homelessness. However, children have the right to remain at their “home” school, allowing the stability of familiar classmates, teachers, and school when needed most.
– A right to free public transportation for children in seventh grade and over and an accompanying parent for those 6th grade and younger.
– A right to additional support is tailored to each family’s needs, such as uniforms, supplies, and other essentials.

CCO is honored to support and shelter children and families experiencing homelessness. Please consider making a financial donation that ensures children reach their full potential during their time at CCO.

Click here to support safe shelter for children. Thank you!

Sources used for this post:
https://chicagohomeless.org/back-to-school-2024-25/
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2024/feb/lack-play-temporary-accommodation-could-affect-childrens-development
https://ccolife.org/magical-moments-in-ccos-rooftop-garden/
https://www.tacomahousing.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Urban-Institute-THA-Homelessness-and-Education-2014-12-22.pdf

Your 2023 Annual Report!

Posted on by Beth

“Cornerstone gave me the chance I needed. It was so hard to find a decent job
when I was sleeping in my car every night.
I had no place to wash up, no rest, nothing to eat.
I couldn’t get past the first interview. 
Thank you for everything!
You helped me get my life back!”
– Former CCO Guest

Your support has paved the way for many CCO success stories! The 2023 CCO Annual Report offers information about the good things that have happened at CCO in the lives of shelter guests. We thank you for ensuring shelter residents access shelter beds, enjoy nourishing meals, and get individualized professional care leading to housing.

Your donation will guarantee stabilizing opportunities and housing for those experiencing homelessness.

Click Here to Donate Today!

Wrap-Around Services Fight Poverty!

Posted on by Beth

Wrap-around services are a daily extension of the care shelter guests experience at CCO. Most shelter guests arrive with no income, support, and limited resources. Once guests enter CCO, immediate needs are met, such as meals, clothing, bedding, and hygiene items.

However, CCO’s wrap-around services go far beyond the immediate needs of families and individuals. The support needed for success is different for each person. A young mother with two children will have different needs than a senior with a chronic health condition. Case managers work alongside guests to create an individualized plan to link shelter guests with practical assistance that brings income, health, and housing stability.

Cornerstone needs your financial support to continue to provide services and shelter. Click here to donate today and make a difference in the lives of families and individuals experiencing homelessness.

Non-Congregate Shelter for Families

Posted on by andrew

DONATE NOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN

Imagine the benefits of a non-congregate shelter for families experiencing homelessness! Picture a welcoming shelter space offering families individual hotel-style rooms with a toilet, sink, and shower in each room. The Non-congregate model shelter affords moms, dads, and kids greater privacy, dignity, and wellness.

Studies show that more families move from homelessness to permanent housing from non-congregate shelters, but the benefits start long before families move into their new homes. The following are just a few scenarios. Parents with teens would have a chance to retreat into a private space to nurture their relationships with each other. Also, families with members who have special needs or disabilities would have better health and emotional balance. It is not uncommon for a parent to bring a newborn into the shelter, an individual room would produce healing, rest, and recovery for a mother and newborn, reducing physical and emotional exhaustion.

Shelter guests will still have ready access to their case managers and other CCO staff. Research shows that guests in non-congregate shelters have a higher rate of staff engagement. Families benefit when parents access assistance and get help to stabilize their future.

Cornerstone endeavors to provide the very best shelter experience to vulnerable families experiencing homelessness. Over the years, all of Cornerstone’s shelter spaces have had construction renovations and upgrades. As a result, some shelter programs have semi-non-congregate rooms, offering families private rooms with shared bathroom facilities.

Through your ongoing support, Cornerstone will continue to welcome families of all sizes and descriptions into safe shelter spaces with wrap-around services. We believe everyone can benefit from non-congregate shelter units, and Cornerstone hopes to make this advantageous shelter model a reality.

Together, we can provide and improve shelter facilities for families experiencing homelessness!
Click here to donate today.

Cornerstone Helped Me

Posted on by Beth

“To live under a dictator is like slavery. There is no justice. There is no peace. It is not a free country.” Over fifty years of living under a Congolese dictatorship was long enough for Ildevert Mboungou. In the Congo, Ildevert worked as a chef for the employees of a major oil company. The authorities found out that he was a supporter of the Democratic party, and the dictatorship that ruled and mistreated the Congolese people for decades took revenge. Ildevert had to leave his employment, home, and all he knew. He escaped his homeland and fled to America.

“I flew directly to Chicago. I did not know anyone. I was alone and deeply sad. I was living near the El train station. A man approached me and spoke my language. He told me he knew where I could get help and brought me to CCO. I do not know who he was.”

Homeless shelters do not exist in the Congo, and Ildevert was unaware that help was available or how to find it. This kind stranger took him from being isolated and living outside to CCO where he could find a sense of community, support, and help for the future.

“I came to CCO with only a plastic bag that held my Bible, documents, passport, and coat. That is all I had, but I was happy to find shelter. I met Franke, Andre, and Jeremy, and they made me feel welcome. I could have meals, clothing, showers, and a bed. I am no longer alone and outside. Coming to the shelter was extraordinary.”

During Ildevert’s stay, he worked closely with his case manager to access an ESL course at Truman College and certificate training in Food Service through a local non-profit. He became an active volunteer at the Kolver Center for survivors of politically sanctioned torture. CCO staff rejoiced with Ildevert when he received his political asylum certificate. Ildevert was reunited with his family when they came to Chicago, and they found a home. It has been a joy to see great things in Ildevert’s life.

  • Ildevert Mboungou, as told to Beth Nicholls and translated by Franke Moukiama

A Happy Holiday for Everyone

Posted on by Beth

“Christmas isn’t just a day; it’s a frame of mind.” -Kris Kringle, Miracle on 34th Street

Christmas is for everyone! Cornerstone works hard each Holiday to celebrate and remember every shelter guest. Join us in making this time of year memorable for children, parents, and single adults experiencing homelessness.

We’re looking for volunteers to work in Santa’s workshop sorting, wrapping, and labeling Christmas gifts. Most people arrive at Cornerstone with little more than a backpack or duffle bag. We hope you will help us spread Christmas cheer through gift-giving. You can shop and donate gifts through the Cornerstone Wishlist. Or make a financial donation to ensure people coming to Cornerstone right before Christmas get gifts, too. Please use the QR codes below to get involved!

Magical Moments in CCO’s Rooftop Garden

Posted on by Beth

“A few months ago, as I walked onto the Cornerstone (CCO) rooftop garden, I could hear beautiful music. One of our shelter guests, a mom with five children, was practicing her saxophone for church on Sunday. What an unexpected gift to hear her music flowing out from among the herbs, flowers, and veggies! It felt almost magical. She and her children came to CCO because her husband was deported, which meant that the kids lost their dad, and she lost her husband, along with the majority of their income and their home. She and her children were so involved in the garden. It’s been fabulous watching families make the garden their own and care for it too.”

– Laura Thiessen, CCO rooftop gardener

The CCO Rooftop Garden has almost completed its third season of producing a variety of vegetables, fruit, herbs, microgreens, and flowers for CCO shelter guests. The benefits go far beyond the bountiful produce. The Rooftop Garden is a place for women and children to play, plant, grow, harvest, witness birds and insects, and relax in a safe outdoor space. The rooftop garden has been the fulfilled dream of Laura Thiessen or, as the kids call her, “The Garden Lady.” Laura has worked with fellow plant enthusiasts and shelter guests to make the Rooftop Garden a haven of life amid the concrete and brick of Chicago.

The success of the CCO Rooftop Garden underscores the profound impact that thoughtfully designed green spaces can have on urban environments. Landscaping plays a pivotal role in transforming stark, unused spaces into vibrant, life-affirming areas. The thoughtful design and cultivation of the Rooftop Garden have created a sanctuary where women and children can connect with nature and find solace away from the city’s hustle. In much the same way, professional landscaping services like Sugar Green Gardens are essential in bringing such dreams to life, ensuring that every detail—from plant selection to garden layout—is meticulously crafted to enhance both aesthetics and functionality. Through careful planning and dedicated craftsmanship, landscaping services help turn urban visions into thriving realities.

The garden always needs seeds and supplies. In April, one special shelter guest donated many seed packets and helped with planting. Laura said, “She gave me seeds for flowers, squash, and pepper that she bought at the dollar store. Once they sprouted and were ready for planting, she helped with that, too. She got a job and spent less time in the garden, but her plants are still in a special area just for her.”

In May and June, shelter guests can get their hands dirty planting. Guests from the Naomi Shelter for Women often help transplant the seedlings into growing totes on the rooftop. Children from the Hannah Shelter for Families join in and learn about gardening while having fun in the dirt.

Throughout the summer, Laura and fellow gardener, Martha Alicia Montes, host a Tea Time in the garden. Tuesdays are for the single women at Naomi Shelter. Laura said, “Marta often does an art project with the ladies. One project was wind catchers made from recycled cans. We hung them on the pergola. They were so pretty. Sometimes we play music and dance in the garden. It’s pretty relaxed. We want everyone to enjoy the green space and have fun.”

Thursday morning Tea Time in the garden is reserved for moms and children at CCO. “We grow three types of mint and make it into iced tea with honey. Sometimes, we gather echinacea or wildflowers to put in our tea. We also have a snack like watermelon, popsicles, or fruit salad. The kids always come running. They are curious and ask so many questions. Often, they want to water the plants or help in any way. I’ll show them how to pick the mint. If they’re upset, I tell them they can go to the mint plants and brush the tops with their hands, smell their minty hands, and take deep breaths. A lot of children stay at CCO. It can be pretty chaotic but a lot of fun! I’ve taught the kids to save seeds from the foods they eat and plant them. The garden draws the kids. They still pick green tomatoes. I try to teach them how to be a garden protector, not a garden picker. They’re learning!” Laura says with a chuckle.

A family of golden finches has made a home in the garden. Laura has carefully chosen seeds and plants that attract birds and pollinators to the rooftop garden. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators are frequent visitors of the flowers on the CCO roof. An enclosure had to be built to protect the black swallowtail butterflies from the birds. The children especially love seeing the butterflies in their habitat. The explosion of plant, bird, and insect life is a testimony to the importance of the CCO rooftop garden for humans and creatures alike.

“One day, we were in the rooftop garden during Tea Time. Several of the ladies just started talking about some personal and painful events. They were so vulnerable, sharing stories filled with heartache. I think something about being in the garden, outside in a green space together; it is therapeutic. We just listened. I felt honored to be entrusted with their stories. One of those ladies went on to get a job working in a large urban garden. She still has plants on the rooftop. The other ladies take pictures of her vegetables and send them to her so she can see that they are growing.”

“People come to CCO to get help. Sometimes, they move on fast. Even if their time at CCO is short, one moment can be important and special. Hopefully, when people look over their lives, they will know that Cornerstone gave them real support, compassion, and opportunity for a change. I’m grateful that the garden can be part of the good things happening at CCO. I want to thank all the women and children who helped in the CCO Rooftop Garden this year. I would also like to thank two important organizations, Seed Money and Awesome Foundation, for their financial support. This unique place of life, growth, and hope would not be possible without your generosity!”

-All quotes by Laura Thiessen, as told to Beth Nicholls

Cornerstone shelter guests need your support. Please consider making a financial donation today!