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REBUILDING LIVES, RESTORING HOPE

Cornerstone's continuum of service helps to create communities where individuals and families are safe and children thrive. We advocate, educate and lead the way to social change. Learn more

Mark Your Calendars!

Cornerstone is so happy to announce that our 2024 Together in Hope Luncheon will be on September 27, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Central Time at the Hyatt Regency by Mall of America.

More details and registration to follow this spring! We are so excited to see so many of our community members together again in the fall!

Questions?

Please contact Andrew N, Communications and Events Coordinator, with any questions about 2024 Together in Hope Luncheon at andrewn@cornerstonemn.org.

New Website! Day One Minnesota

Cornerstone and the Day One Program are proud to announce the launch of the new Day One Website at dayoneservices.org. Day One hosts Minnesota’s 24/7 hotline that provides support for victim/survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, and general crime across Minnesota. Working closely with agency partners all across the state, Day One ensures victim/survivors can get connected to safety and services with just one call, text, or online chat.

While the Day One URL remains the same, the new launch comes with a new look, updated content and resources, and a new directory with more than 95 service agencies and over 40 safe places/shelters. The new website build focused on more inclusivity and accessibility, and with new features like the Network Partner Directory, victim/survivors have more direct information to help them make decisions and work with Day One advocates more easily.

Individuals needing help can connect with Day One by calling the Minnesota Day One Crisis Line 1-866-223-1111 to speak with an advocate (interpreters are available), texting 612-399-9995, or chatting online at the new website. A Day One advocate is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist. For General Crime support, call the Minnesota Crime Victim Support Line (1-866-385-2699) or text (612-399-9977).

Visit Day One

Program Spotlight: Cornerstone's Co-Advocacy Efforts with Esperanza United

We are incredibly honored to work with fantastic agencies across Minnesota to provide important co-advocacy services, and this month we are excited to highlight our partnership with Esperanza United.

With nearly forty years of success, Esperanza United leverages the strengths of Latin@ communities to end gender-based violence. Founded and led by Latinas, Esperanza United grounds their work in listening to the community and adapting to meet their changing needs. They work with the community, other service providers, and systems to ensure Latinas, their families, and our communities receive culturally relevant advocacy and quality, appropriate, and effective resources.

In addition to being part of our Day One Network, Esperanza United works very closely with our Community and Economic Services (CEES) program. Cornerstone has two transitional housing units reserved for Esperanza United participants, and both Cornerstone and Esperanza United's housing advocates work closely together, communicating regularly and attending participant meetings together.

During their co-advocacy efforts, Cornerstone and Esperanza United often help provide participants with connections to Bloomington resources and assist with navigating housing systems. The Esperanza United advocate provides a lot of the culturally specific advocacy, keeping participants connected with their cultural communities and offering safety planning or other resources that fit with customs or norms. Plus, Esperanza United has been a great resource for participants around immigration challenges or options. This co-advocacy can also be seen through our financial empowerment efforts, as while Cornerstone can provide English courses, Esperanza United helps connect participants with other courses taught in Spanish.

Most recently, we had two Esperanza United participants move out of Cornerstone's transitional housing and into new permanent housing, including one into Cornerstone's permanent housing. We look forward to welcoming two new Esperanza United participants in the coming months and for continued success in our co-advocacy efforts.

Cornerstone is so grateful to have partners like Esperanza United in our efforts to help survivors. For more information and to learn more about Esperanza United and how to get involved with their efforts as well, visit: https://esperanzaunited.org/en/get-involved/.

Violence Free Minnesota's Clothesline Project

The Clothesline Project is a national art project that was started by women in Massachusetts as a memorial to the victims and survivors of domestic violence.

This year, a member of our Community and Economic Empowerment Services (CEES) team designed a shirt for this year's Minnesota Clothesline Project, honoring Shaquita Monique Thomas, Minnesota's 30th confirmed victim of intimate partner homicide in 2023.

Cornerstone is extremely grateful to participate in the VFMN Clothesline Project and to be able to honor Shaquita.

On February 1st, Violence Free Minnesota will be hosting their annual Intimate Partner Homicide Memorial at the St. Paul College Club from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. This event will honor and memorialize all 39 known victims of intimate partner homicide in Minnesota in 2023 and feature the Clothesline Project. You can read more about the project here.

Current Needs, Volunteer Opportunities, and How You Can Help?

Galentine's Day Volunteers -

We are looking for volunteers to help out at Cornerstone’s upcoming “Galentine’s Day” party on February 13^th from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Volunteers will do art projects with kids, pampering activities with adults, and serve dinner to the families who attend.

If you are interested, please contact courtneyp@cornerstonemn.org to learn more and sign up.

Amazon Wishlist - Other items needed this month include anything currently listed on our Amazon Wishlist which we update regularly to reflect our programs' and participants' needs.

Childcare Assistance - Cornerstone is looking for volunteers to assist with childcare while our participants attend meetings, go to appointments, or run errands. Shifts are weekly on Mondays from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Group Organization and Outdoor Cleanup - Once the weather warms up, we will be in need of groups interested in coming to Cornerstone to help organize storage areas and clean up our outdoor spaces. Scheduling will be flexible.

Join Cornerstone’s Board of Directors - Want to make a difference in the lives of those who have experienced violence and trauma? We are currently seeking a diverse group of board candidates with varied backgrounds and areas of expertise to join our Board of Directors. We encourage applicants with lived experiences related to our mission and/or who identify as Black, Indigenous and people of color; and people who identify as LGBTQ+. We specifically are seeking candidates with expertise in fundraising, legal matters, public policy, and/or who are employed within a small business enterprise or have local corporate affiliations.

For more information on joining Cornerstone’s Board of Directors, contact our Executive Director Artika Roller at artikar@cornerstonemn.org.

Interested in Donating or Volunteering?

If you are interested in any of these opportunities or would like any more information, please contact Courtney P, Director of Advancement, at courtneyp@cornerstonemn.org.

Donations may be dropped off at our Bloomington location Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. Please email Courtney once you’ve dropped off a donation so that we may record your gift and properly thank you.

Thank You To Our Supporters!

Thank you to the generous community of The Church of St. Edward in Bloomington for their amazing support. They collected winter gear for Cornerstone's families at their weekly services from late November through early January. Together, 157 coats and pairs of snow pants, 214 sets of mittens, hats and scarves, 44 pairs of boots, 38 other items, and $560 in gift cards and financial support were collected. We are so grateful to the St. Ed's community for helping us meet our participants' needs.

We are so grateful to NaJee Thompson of the Minnesota Vikings for representing Cornerstone during the NFL's My Cause My Cleats Game this season! Thank you for supporting our mission to eliminate domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, and general crime.

We are absolutely honored to be represented by NaJee and so thankful for his donation of his signed cleats.

Thank you so much to the Charlson Foundation for their steadfast support of Cornerstone’s educational and therapeutic services that make up our Prevention, Education and Clinical Services (PECS) Program- services which are fundamental to our mission and goals.

We are also so grateful to the Eden Prairie Lioness Club for their support of Cornerstone’s School-Based Services (SBS) Program. We are grateful for your long-term investment in prevention and early intervention work with youth in our community.