News

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.

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Thank You Chicago’s Best Baker!

Posted on by Beth

Thank you to the Chicago’s Best Baker Contest! The competition and tastings raised funds to cover the cost of 269 shelter beds and wrap-around services! Genesis Winter, founder and organizer of the Best Baker Contest, had good things to say about a new baking category, artistic bakes, and attention to detail at this year’s fabulous fundraiser.

“Once again, I am amazed at the talent and generosity of the bakers of Chicago. We had a new entry grouping this year, the Heirloom category and I wasn’t sure how it would go. We had to set up an extra table to hold all the entries because so many people shared their family recipes with us. It was my favorite category because of the incredible mix of baked items. We had everything from cheesecakes to curry-spiced pastries filled with potatoes.”

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Non-Congregate Shelter Acquisition Program

Posted on by andrew

Cornerstone Community Outreach is a grantee partner of the Chicago Department of Housing Non-Congregate Shelter Acquisition Program, and the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services Shelter Infrastructure Inititative.

Community Supporters

Organizations

The Buddhist Temple of Chicago – 1151 W. Leland Ave

Chicago Homelessness & Health Response Group for Equity (CHHRGE)

Citizen Skate Shop – 922 W Wilson Ave

Everybody’s Coffee 935 W. Wilson Ave

Heartland Alliance Health – 4750 N. Sheridan Rd

Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons – 1040 W. Bryn Mawr Ave

Illinois State Representative Hoan Huynh – 1967 W. Montrose Ave

Jesus People Covenant Church – 920 W. Wilson Ave

MADO Healthcare – 4621 N. Racine Ave

Missio Dei Chicago – 931 W. Wilson Ave

New Friendly Towers SRO – 920 W. Wilson Ave

Nine3nine Creative – 939 W. Wilson Ave

Northside Action for Justice – 1020 W Bryn Mawr Ave

ONE Northside – 4648 N Racine Ave

Uptown Peoples Law Center – 4413 N Sheridan Rd

Uptown Bikes – 4653 N Broadway

Uptown Ace Hardware – 4654 N. Broadway

Voice of the People – 4611 N. Sheridan Road

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.

CCO Sponsorships

Posted on by Nathan

Sponsor services and events at CCO

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.

Donate Now!

Sponsorship Tiers

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

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.