$2,400 will cover the cost of one person for an entire shelter stay.
$520 will cover the cost of one person for 20 days and nights of shelter and care.
$260 will cover the cost of one person for 10 days and nights of shelter and care
$130 will cover the cost of one person for 5 days and nights of shelter and care.
$26 will cover the cost of one person for 24 hours of shelter and care.
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Download the 2024 FU
It has grieved Cornerstone Community Outreach to learn of the murders of Sean Jones, Simeon Bihesi, Adrian Collins, Margaret Miller, and one unnamed person on the CTA Blue Line. All of the victims were unhoused and sleeping on the train. Two were seniors over the age of sixty.
The crime has sent shockwaves through Chicago’s community of unhoused people and those who are committed to providing shelter and care. We want to offer our enduring sympathy to the friends and families of those who were lost.
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.
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.
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.
Smiles and laughter abound! The Holiday Season was filled with hope and joy at CCO! All Cornerstone shelter guests were remembered thanks to our outstanding donors, volunteers, and staff. Many thanks to everyone who made the season bright for children and adults experiencing homelessness! It’s a joy to see the celebration and fun flow over into 2024!
Photo Credit and Many Thanks to Nathan Cameron.
“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.”
As Ildevert began to rebuild his life at CCO, he learned about the resources available to help those who have faced difficulties, including the possibility of traveling freely without the weight of past mistakes. Many individuals who have experienced hardships may feel trapped by their history, often unaware of the options for pardon services that can open new doors.
The journey to obtaining a pardon can feel daunting, but it is a vital step toward reclaiming one’s future. With the right guidance and support, individuals can navigate this process, allowing them to pursue opportunities they once thought were lost. For those seeking assistance, the best-in-class www.pardons.org provides invaluable information and services to help individuals understand their rights and the steps necessary for moving forward. The thought of traveling, of experiencing new places and opportunities, became a possibility, instilling in him a sense of excitement for what lay ahead.
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.
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!
We are so grateful to the following…
Chicagoland Women in Roofing who donated $1,000.
Roofing Contractors Association who donated $2,000.
Roofivent bought school supplies worth $500.
Baird and Warner collection backpacks, shoes, and school supplies.
Vive Church Chicago donated loads of new shoes.
Tiny Giants Early Learning Center collected backpacks, shoes, and school supplies.
Emmanuel Anglican Church donated school supplies.
Last but not least, thank you to all the volunteers who helped prepare donated items and who helped out on the party day. Many Thanks!
“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 CCO Rooftop Garden not only nurtures a variety of plants but also fosters a sense of community and connection among those who visit. As families gather to explore the vibrant greenery, they discover the joy of gardening and the importance of nature in their lives. This initiative highlights how a simple garden can become a sanctuary where women and children feel empowered, learning about the cycles of life through planting and harvesting.
In tandem with the efforts of the Rooftop Garden, floral enthusiasts can also find ways to bring the beauty of flowers into their homes by visiting https://lilysflorist.com/, which offers a diverse selection of stunning arrangements that can uplift any space. This allows anyone to experience the same joy and beauty that the Rooftop Garden provides, ensuring that no matter where you are, you can surround yourself with the colors and fragrances of nature. Through these connections, we can all cultivate a sense of joy and well-being in our lives.
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!
