About CCO

Addressing Homelessness, Providing Shelter, Accepting People, Finding Home, through the operation of charitable community development programs that improves the quality of life for low-income, disadvantaged, displaced, unhoused and underprivileged individuals, families and communities.

Cornerstone Community Outreach (CCO) is an Illinois-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to addressing homelessness in Chicago. Located in the Uptown neighborhood on the north side of Chicago, CCO serves individuals and families throughout the city who are experiencing homelessness. Each program is thoughtfully designed to meet the unique needs of our residents, offering essential services and a sense of belonging as they work toward independence.

CCO operates four shelters with a transitional-housing model, providing individuals and families experiencing homelessness with a stable and supportive environment they can call home until they secure permanent housing or transition to the next stage of their journey. These shelters offer more than just a safe place to stay—they provide access to critical services that empower residents to rebuild their lives and regain independence. The two family programs, Hanna Shelter and Sylvia Shelter, together provide housing for up to forty-five families, while the Naomi Shelter serves up to seventy-two individual adults.

All residents in our programs receive personalized case management, referrals, and advocacy from CCO staff and partner agencies, ensuring that each person’s unique needs are met. In addition to shelter, CCO provides daily meals, a food bag program, and free donated clothing to support residents during their time with us. These services are designed to help residents feel cared for and empowered as they work toward self-sufficiency and permanent housing.