“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.
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.
Become a sponsor for our many services and events that CCO provides to our clients. We have sponsorships available for services such as laundry, transportation, toiletries, bedding, and meals. CCO also hosts several events and celebrations throughout the year that provide joy and encouragement to our residents. We need your help to purchase food, decorations, prizes, gifts, and other supplies.
Choose what level of sponsorship that fits in your budget and with a tax deductible donation, you can partner with CCO by providing funds towards a specific event or service.
Diamond Sponsors
Become a Diamond Sponsor with a tax deductible donation of $10,000 or more. Diamond Sponsors receive:
• Recognition in our E-newsletter to volunteers and donors • Your Logo or name on ALL printed material for events that calendar year. • Personalized plaque recognizing your organization or an individual. • Organization or individual name on sponsorship page with clickable logo linked to your website. • Social Media “Thank You!” Post
Platinum Sponsors
Become a Platinum Sponsor with a tax deductible donation of $5000-$9999. Platinum Sponsors receive:
• Personalized plaque recognizing your organization or an individual. • Organization or individual name on sponsorship page with clickable logo linked to your website. • Social Media “Thank You!” Post • Recognition in our E-newsletter to volunteers and donors
Gold Sponsors
Become a Gold Sponsor with a tax deductible donation of $2500-$4999. Gold Sponsors receive:
• Appreciation gift • Recognition in our E-newsletter to volunteers and donors. • Organization or individual name on sponsorship page with clickable logo linked to your website. • Social Media “Thank You!” Post
Silver Sponsors
Become a Silver Sponsor with a tax deductible donation of $1000-$2499. Silver Sponsors receive:
• Recognition in our E-newsletter to volunteers and donors. • Organization or individual name on cornerstone sponsorship page. • Social Media ”Thank You!” Post
Bronze Sponsors
Become a Bronze Sponsor with a tax deductible donation of $250-$999. Silver Sponsors receive:
• Organization or individual name on cornerstone sponsorship page. • Social Media ”Thank You!” Post
Cornerstone would like to take the opportunity to thank all the donors and volunteers who were a part of Bringing the Happy to the residents at CCO. If you would like more information on how to be involved in 2024 please go to our Volunteer or Donations page! Thank you!
Cornerstone is rolling out new sponsorship opportunities and packages for events at CCO. Events and celebrations are an important part of the wholistic care that CCO provides to our clients. Become a supporter of Easter Baskets, Back to School, Halloween and Christmas events at CCO. You can . Backpacks, shoes and socks for Back to School; costumes and prizes for Halloween; Christmas gifts for each child, parent or guardian, man and woman sheltered at Cornerstone.
Easter Baskets
Easter is hopping our way! Click here to visit the Easter Amazon Wish List and shop for Easter goodies that will put smiles on the faces of children staying at CCO with their parents. A simple Easter basket with treats and toys could create a delightful memory for a child at CCO.
Back to School
Every year Cornerstone hosts and event for our resident children who are returning or just starting school. CCO provides the students with new items such as backpacks, school supplies, shoes, underwear and socks. Giving them a fresh start for the new school year. Cornerstone has set up an Amazon wish list for the needs of this event. Go here to purchase items to give these kids a new start on their school year.
Back to School Party 2024 August 14, 6:30PM – 8:30PM
If you would like to sponsor this event beyond the Amazon Wish list, please refer to our sponsorship page for sponsor tiers. Monetary sponsorships for this event needs to be received by June 3rd.
Halloween
For children and their families at CCO, being able to participate in national celebrations is so important to bring normalcy and connection to society around them. Every year Cornerstone hosts a fun Halloween party with costumes, games, treats and dancing! It is a good time for all. If you would like to help with this event, please go to the Amazon Wish List and purchase items like costumes, treats, prizes and games.
Family Halloween Party 2024 October 29, 6:30PM – 8:30PM
If you would like to sponsor this event beyond the Amazon Wish list, please refer to our sponsorship page for sponsor tiers. Monetary sponsorships for this event needs to be received by September 24th.
Christmas
Christmas is a time to reach out and share love and compassion with each other. CCO makes it a point to collect wish lists from the children to try get them a gift that they would want. We also proved gifts to the parents to give to give to their kids and each other. An army of elves organizes, sorts, wraps and distributes presents to families and single residents. If you would like to contribute to our Christmas efforts, go to our Amazon Wish List for children and adults, there you can support us by purchasing gifts, gift cards, wrapping paper, tape, and decorations. If you would like to volunteer go to our volunteer page for more information.
Family Christmas Party 2024 December 20th, 6:30PM to 8:30 PM
If you would like to sponsor this event beyond the Amazon Wish list, please refer to our sponsorship page for sponsor tiers. Monetary sponsorships for this event needs to be received by October 14th.
“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!
The CCO staff and families would like to thank the incredible sponsors, donors, and volunteers who made this year’s Back-to-School Party a hit! We called, and you answered! School-aged children at CCO can step into the new school year with confidence! Many thanks!
CCO would like to partner with generous donors to help support this year’s Back-to-School Party. Each August, CCO hosts a party filled with school supplies, new backpacks, games, treats, dancing, and a lot of motivation for the new school year. Your support will help make this year extra special for the children at CCO.
Children experiencing homelessness can face additional barriers to consistent education. CCO tries to bridge the gap that homelessness and poverty cause in childhood development and academics. The family case managers ensure children are attending school and have all they need to succeed. CCO partners with Chicago Hopes, which provides tutoring during the school year and enrichment programs in the summer to children sheltered at CCO every weekday afternoon.
If you want to sponsor part of the fun at this year’s party, contact Amanda Learmond at a.learmond@ccolife.org. Or visit our Amazon Wish List by clicking here or scanning the QR code above.
The 2022 Holiday Season brought joy and cheer to the families and individuals sheltered at CCO. Each child received a stocking filled with toys, treats, and a new pair of pajamas. They each wore their new pj’s to the CCO Christmas Party, where they got to meet Santa, receive gifts, and celebrate the holidays with their family. The Christmas Party featured CCO Board President Chris Spicer as Santa Claus, loads of sweet and savory treats, and a hot chocolate station. The crowd went wild when Santa arrived with his bags of gifts!
The celebrated season would not be possible without volunteers who made the party exceptional. Thanks to all who worked as elves in Santa’s Workshop, sorting, wrapping, and decorating Christmas presents for the big day. Christmas at Cornerstone would not be possible without your generous donation of toys for children and gifts for teens and adults. Many thanks!
We hope you enjoy the 2022 photo album. Enjoy the smiling faces found in it!
