Cornerstones Inc

BUILD OPPORTUNITY THAT STRENGTHENS FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY.

CORNERSTONES WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1970 AND IS TODAY A LEADING ANCHOR ORGANIZATION IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA. WE STRIVE TO PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY BY PROVIDING SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY TO THOSE IN NEED OF FOOD, SHELTER, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, QUALITY CHILDCARE, AND OTHER HUMAN SERVICES. ANNUALLY, WE SERVE MORE THAN 16,000 CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND SINGLE ADULTS WHO STRUGGLE DAILY TO OVERCOME LIFE'S CHALLENGES AND MAINTAIN STABILITY IN THEIR LIVES. AT CORNERSTONES, WE UNDERSTAND THAT MULTIPLE FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO CHRONIC POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS, SUCH AS A SHORTAGE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS AND A LACK OF RESOURCES TO RAPIDLY REHOUSE AND SUPPORT MOVE-ON STRATEGIES FOR THOSE PREPARED TO EXIT HOMELESSNESS TO PERMANENT HOUSING. WE PROVIDE CONCRETE HOUSING RESOURCES PAIRED WITH FAMILY-DRIVEN SUPPORTIVE SERVICES IN AN INTEGRATED CARE MANAGEMENT (ICM) APPROACH TO COUNTERACT THESE FACTORS. FOLLOWING THIS PHILOSOPHY, CORNERSTONES PLACES THE INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY AT THE CENTER OF SERVICE ACTIVITIES, WITH A CASE MANAGER AS THE PRIMARY CONTACT AND ADVOCATE. THROUGH OUR MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH TO ADDRESSING POVERTY, WE ARE IMPROVING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES, ADVOCATING FOR SYSTEMS CHANGE STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF POVERTY IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND CREATING AND STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY BY BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS. ALL OF THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY LEVERAGING OUR BOARD AND STAFF'S DIVERSE EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES, ALONG WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS FROM BUSINESSES, GOVERNMENT, FAITH COMMUNITIES, AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS.STABILITY: STABILITY SERVICES PROVIDE VITAL SUPPORT TO VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS IN TIMES OF CRISIS, OFFERING SWIFT TRIAGE FOR PEOPLE IN NEED OF EMERGENCY SHELTER, FOOD, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO AVERT EVICTION OR UTILITIES' SHUTOFFS, AND OTHER SAFETY-NET SERVICES. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2021, CORNERSTONES SERVED AS PART OF FAIRFAX COUNTY'S COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING TEAM, HELPING TO DEVELOP A COUNTY-WIDE RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC'S HEALTH, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS, AND ITS DISRUPTION OF HOUSING SAFETY NETS. THIS SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVE PLACED US AT THE FOREFRONT OF DEFINING BEST PRACTICES AND LEVERAGING RESOURCES TO MITIGATE IMMEDIATE CHALLENGES WHILE PLANNING FOR REGIONAL RECOVERY. OUR AGENCY RESPONSE AND ADVOCACY FOLLOWED A SIMILAR PATH AS WE SOUGHT CREATIVE WAYS TO RETOOL OTHER SAFETY-NET PROGRAMS AND HUMAN SERVICES TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF CARE FOR PEOPLE IN CRISIS. IN RECOGNITION, CORNERSTONES WAS NAMED 2021 COVID HERO BY THE DULLES REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR OUR ROLE IN RESPONDING TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS.EMERGENCY SHELTER AND RAPID RE-HOUSING: CORNERSTONES WORKED WITH FAIRFAX COUNTY TO OPEN AND OPERATE A 100-BED, HOTEL-BASED QUARANTINE, PROTECTION, ISOLATION, AND DECOMPRESSION (QPID) SITE IN ADDITION TO ITS REGULAR HOMELESS SERVICES INITIATIVES THROUGH THE EMBRY RUCKER COMMUNITY SHELTER. THE QPID SITE SERVED AS AN ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH THE VIRUS OR AT RISK FOR EXPOSURE BUT WITH NO SAFE PLACE TO STAY. DURING THIS PERIOD, CORNERSTONES PROVIDED STREET OUTREACH, EMERGENCY SHELTER, AND HYPOTHERMIA PREVENTION FOR A TOTAL OF 850 HOUSEHOLDS, INCLUDING 71 FAMILIES, 138 CHILDREN, AND 675 SINGLES. MORE THAN 530 OF THOSE HOUSEHOLDS WERE GUESTS AT OUR QPID HOTELS, WITH 111 HOUSEHOLDS TRANSITIONING FROM OUR QPID HOTELS INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING. EVICTION PREVENTION/STABLE HOUSING: PRIOR TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS, TOO MANY HOUSEHOLDS IN OUR FOOTPRINT STRUGGLED TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND WERE IN DANGER OF EVICTION. THE PANDEMIC ONLY FURTHER EXACERBATED THE PRECARIOUS SITUATION FOR FAMILIES ALREADY STRUGGLING TO SECURE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND LIVE IN THIS HIGH-COST REGION. DURING FY21, WE SERVED AS TRUSTED AGENTS ADMINISTERING $4.7 MILLION IN COVID-19 ECONOMIC RELIEF FUNDS - CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT (CARES ACT) AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE - PROVIDING TO 1,230 HOUSEHOLDS. CORNERSTONES AWARDED ANOTHER $125,000 IN EMERGENCY FOOD AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO 85 HOUSEHOLDS, AND PROVIDED CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT TO 285 HOUSEHOLDS, INCLUDING 242 CHILDREN. LANDLORD AND TENANT OUTREACH: TO FURTHER MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF THE EVICTION CRISIS IN OUR OWN BACKYARD, CORNERSTONES CREATED THE EVICTION PREVENTION UNIT (EPU), DESIGNED TO BRING ADDED RESOURCES FOR IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION TO PREVENT OR DELAY EVICTIONS OF STRUGGLING LOW-AND MODERATE-INCOME FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTY. THE UNIT'S COORDINATED OUTREACH EFFORTS ARE TARGETED TO HELP INCREASE HOUSING STABILITY, ENSURE THE RAPID RE-HOUSING OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, AND CULTIVATE POSITIVE LANDLORD-TENANT ENGAGEMENT. ADDITIONALLY, CORNERSTONES AND THE COUNTY ESTABLISHED THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES COLLABORATIVE (HOC) TO INCREASE THE POOL OF PRIVATELY AVAILABLE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THE HOC INCENTIVIZES PRIVATE LANDLORDS TO RENT TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR WITH LOWER INCOMES OR WHOSE PAST CREDIT OR RENTAL HISTORY MAKES IT HARDER FOR THEM TO FIND HOUSING. WITH CORNERSTONES' FINANCIAL AND CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT, LANDLORDS GIVE THESE FAMILIES A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILY AND HOUSING STABILITY. FOOD INSECURITY AND HOUSEHOLD ASSISTANCE AND SNAP AT MARKET: OUR ASSISTANCE SERVICES AND FOOD PANTRY PROGRAM (ASAPP) ALSO EXPERIENCED A SURGE IN REQUESTS FOR SUPPORT. DURING FY21, WE PROVIDED FOOD, PPE, GIFT CARDS, DIAPERS, AND HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES TO 1,347 HOUSEHOLDS BENEFITING 4,810 PEOPLE. IN ADDITION, THROUGH MONTHLY SAFE, NO-CONTACT PARKING LOT DISTRIBUTION EVENTS, FREQUENTLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S TESTING AND INFORMATIONAL EVENTS, DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS AND CORNERSTONES STAFF DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN $1M IN IN-KIND FOOD AND STORE/GROCERY GIFT CARDS DONATED BY THE COMMUNITY AND WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE $150K IN GIFT CARDS THANKS TO FINANCIAL DONATIONS. WE ALSO SUPPORTED 38 HOUSEHOLDS WITH $17,800 WORTH OF UTILITIES ASSISTANCE, BENEFITING 104 PERSONS, AND HELPED 176 SNAP CUSTOMERS PURCHASE FRESH PRODUCE THROUGH THE MARKET / FRESHMATCH PROGRAM AT RESTON FARMERS MARKET, TOTALING 671 TRANSACTIONS VALUED AT $44,000.

EMPOWERMENT: CORNERSTONES UNIQUE APPROACH TO "CARE" MANAGEMENT PROVIDES AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND FAMILY-DRIVEN WRAP-AROUND SERVICES TO HELP FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS REGAIN STABILITY AFTER AN INITIAL CRISIS HAS PASSED. OUR CASE MANAGEMENT TEAM CONNECTS PEOPLE TO LIFE-CHANGING RESOURCES, INCLUDING AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING RENTAL PROGRAM; QUALITY CHILDCARE FOR LOW-INCOME WORKING PARENTS AND YOUTH AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT AND STEAM ACTIVITIES; EMPLOYMENT READINESS AND JOB COACHING; AND HOUSING AND HOMEOWNERSHIP COUNSELING. OUR COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCE CENTERS IN LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS ALSO OFFER ACCESS TO THESE PROGRAMS AS WELL AS FINANCIAL EDUCATION, ESL, AND US CITIZENSHIP PREPARATION CLASSES. QUALITY, AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING AND SERVICES: CORNERSTONES HOUSING CORPORATION (CHC), OUR AFFILIATE HOUSING ORGANIZATION, CURRENTLY OWNS AND MANAGES 106 AFFORDABLE SCATTERED-SITE RENTAL HOMES AND APARTMENTS DEDICATED TO SERVING EXTREMELY LOW AND LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS AND THOSE LEAVING HOMELESSNESS. DURING FY21, WE PROVIDED AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO 314 INDIVIDUALS. THE MAJORITY OF THE FAMILIES WE SERVE ARE HEADED BY A SINGLE PARENT IN HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18. MORE THAN 25% ARE ELDERLY OR DISABLED. FOUR HOUSEHOLDS TRANSITIONED FROM THE EMBRY RUCKER COMMUNITY SHELTER, AND TWO FAMILIES LIVING IN CHC UNITS GRADUATED FROM THE PROGRAM ENTIRELY. NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT: ADDRESSING THE UNMET HOUSING NEEDS OF ALL MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY REQUIRES A SUSTAINED COMMITMENT TO PRESERVE AND DEVELOP NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOMETHING CORNERSTONES HAS DONE SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1970. CORNERSTONES AND CHC ENTERED A PARTNERSHIP WITH WELLINGTON DEVELOPMENT, LP TO DELIVER 180 NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES IN LOUDOUN COUNTY, FOR PEOPLE WITH INCOMES AT AND BELOW 60% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME. THIS AMENITY-RICH APARTMENT COMPLEX WILL ALSO OFFER 18 HOMES SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED AS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. THE PROJECT SECURED GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE FUNDING, AND CONSTRUCTION BEGINS IN 2022. CORNERSTONES WILL COLLABORATE WITH RESIDENTS TO DEVELOP ON-SITE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES. IN ADDITION, CORNERSTONES WAS SELECTED FOR A PROJECT TO USE FAIRFAX COUNTY-OWNED LAND TO DEVELOP UP TO 34 HOMES IN FAIRFAX, VA PROVIDING PERMANENT HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. HOUSING COUNSELING AND HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAMS: CORNERSTONES HUD-CERTIFIED HOUSING COUNSELING TEAM PROVIDED ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT TO 118 FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH A POSSIBLE HOME FORECLOSURE. TWENTY-EIGHT HOUSEHOLDS IN IMMINENT THREAT WERE ABLE TO AVOID EVICTION, RESOLVE MORTGAGE DEFAULTS, OR MOVE TO STABLE HOUSING. IN ADDITION, MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE COMPLETED FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER CLASSES, WITH 104 HOUSEHOLDS IMPROVING THEIR FINANCIAL CAPACITY TO TAKE THIS STEP TOWARD HOMEOWNERSHIP AND BUILDING ASSETS THAT STRENGTHEN FAMILY STABILITY. DEVELOPMENTAL CHILDCARE AND YOUTH ENRICHMENT: WHEN GOVERNMENT, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY BUILDINGS CLOSED IN MARCH 2020, CORNERSTONES' LAUREL LEARNING CENTER QUICKLY ADOPTED SAFETY PROTOCOLS AND RE-OPENED ITS LICENSED, HIGH-QUALITY, AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE CENTER TO PROVIDE A MUCH-NEEDED RESOURCE FOR LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME WORKING PARENTS WHO STILL HAD TO WORK DURING THE PANDEMIC. WITH PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLOSED, LAUREL LEARNING CENTER CONVERTED ITS SCHOOL-AGE CENTER INTO A SCHOOL-DAY CLASSROOM FOR ONLINE LEARNING AND CONTINUED ITS DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES FOR INFANTS, TODDLERS, AND PRESCHOOL CHILDREN. IN ADDITION, OUR YOUTH ENRICHMENT PROGRAM PROVIDED 600 HOURS OF SCHOOL EDUCATION SUPPORT AND ONLINE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS DURING THE LONG STRETCH OF SCHOOL CLOSURE DUE TO CV-19. TOGETHER THESE PROGRAMS SERVED 201 CHILDREN AND YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES AVERTING THE LEARNING LOSS EXPERIENCED BY SO MANY STUDENTS DURING THIS TIME. CONNECTIONS FOR HOPE PARTNERSHIP/COMMUNITY CONNECTED SITES: CORNERSTONES OPERATES A COMMUNITY CENTER DESIGNED TO BRING PARTNER NONPROFITS, GOVERNMENT, AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES INTO ONE SPACE TO MEET THE HUMAN SERVICE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY COLLECTIVELY. DURING FY21, OUR INTEGRATED CARE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SERVED 245 INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING 148 CHILDREN, THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED WALK-IN PROGRAMS. SEVENTY HOUSEHOLDS CONNECTED WITH RESOURCES TO INCREASE JOB SKILLS TRAINING AND SECURE LIVING-WAGE EMPLOYMENT, FOOD ASSISTANCE, AND EDUCATION AND FINANCIAL LITERACY CLASSES. CORNERSTONES' SELF-SUFFICIENCY EMPLOYMENT 30-HOUR JOB S.M.A.R.T. EMPLOYMENT-READINESS COURSE HELPED 168 INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE JOB SKILLS TRAINING VALUABLE TO THIS REGION'S BUSINESSES. ADDITIONALLY, OUR COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCE CENTERS IN HERNDON AND RESTON PROVIDED 2,400 INSTANCES OF QUICK INFORMATION AND 1,000 INSTANCES OF SERVICES EITHER VIRTUALLY OR THROUGH SAFE, SOCIALLY DISTANCED CONTACT THAT CONNECTED PEOPLE TO COUNTY PARTNERS OR CORNERSTONES' PROGRAMS FOR HELP. WE ALSO HOSTED 300 PROGRAMMING EVENTS, INCLUDING ONSITE FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES, ESL, AND VIRTUALLY HOSTED AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS.

HOPE: HOPE CAPTURES CORNERSTONES' WORK AS AN ADVOCATE FOR CHANGES IN POLICIES AND SYSTEMS TO ADVANCE EQUITABLE REDUCTION OF POVERTY AND END HOMELESSNESS. DRIVING MEANINGFUL CHANGE INCLUDES ENGAGING AND AMPLIFYING THE VOICES OF OUR LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORS AND CLIENTS, INCREASING OUR ADVOCACY IMPACT BY PROMOTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY INVESTMENT IN THE RESILIENCY OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES, CREATING GOOD JOBS AND ECONOMIC SECURITY, AND UNDOING RACIAL AND SOCIAL INEQUITIES IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA. OPPORTUNITY NEIGHBORHOODS: CORNERSTONES OPPORTUNITY NEIGHBORHOODS IN RESTON AND HERNDON (RESTON AND ON:HERNDON), COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE SUCCESS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH, ENGAGES LOCAL LEADERS, NONPROFITS, AND VOLUNTEERS TO HELP BUILD STRONGER CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SCHOOL, NEIGHBORHOODS, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. WE ALSO PROVIDE ORGANIZING SUPPORT IN LOW-INCOME HOUSING COMMUNITIES TO HELP RESIDENTS IMPROVE THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND ACCESS NEEDED SERVICES. IN FY21, SEVEN NEW ON NEIGHBORHOOD AMBASSADORS WERE RECRUITED AND TRAINED THROUGH OUR INITIATIVE. THESE AMBASSADORS SERVED 1,767 HOURS AND CONDUCTED 4,585 ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES. MORE THAN 550 RESIDENTS WERE NEWLY INTRODUCED TO ON PROGRAMS AND PROVIDED CRITICAL INFORMATION ON CORNERSTONE'S PROGRAMS AND FAIRFAX COUNTY RESOURCES. EQUALLY IMPORTANT, THE ON TEAM WORKED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FAIRFAX COUNTY, FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND SUPERVISOR WALTER ALCORN'S OFFICE TO HOST VIRTUAL COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS TO DISPEL CV-19 MYTHS, CONNECT SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS WITH PARENTS IN NEED, DEVELOP A SAFE SPACE FOR YOUNG WOMEN TO ENGAGE, SHARE CONCERNS, AND SEEK ASSISTANCE, AND IDENTIFY THE URGENT NEEDS/DISCUSS CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY.EDUCATION, INFLUENCE, ACTION: AS A DIRECT SERVICE PROVIDER, OUR WORK LENDS AUTHENTICITY TO OUR ADVOCACY INITIATIVES AND PROVIDES A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW SOCIAL AND RACIAL INJUSTICE IS EXPERIENCED FIRST-HAND BY OUR NEIGHBORS. IN FY21, IN ANTICIPATION OF THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S UPCOMING SPECIAL SESSION, CORNERSTONES HOSTED A VIRTUAL FORUM WITH STATE LEADERS TO PUBLICLY DISCUSS THEIR PLANS TO STABILIZE THIS REGION'S ECONOMY AND PASS CRITICALLY NEEDED LEGISLATION TO ENSURE HEALTHY, THRIVING, EQUITABLE NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITIES. WE ALSO HOSTED A 2021 VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES CANDIDATES FORUM AND PRODUCED A VIDEO QUESTIONNAIRE FOR TOWN OF HERNDON CANDIDATES BEFORE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. CORNERSTONES BRINGS ITS EXPERIENCE AND VOICE THROUGH ITS LEADERS, VOLUNTEERS, AND NEIGHBORS TO POSITIONS OF INFLUENCE WITH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, RESTON, DULLES, AND LOUDOUN, ON THE FAIRFAX COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COUNCIL (CEO KERRIE WILSON IS THE CO-CHAIR), AND THROUGH THE FAIRFAX-FALLS CHURCH CONTINUUM OF CARE (VP, MAURA WILLIAMS IS THE CHAIR).