Springing Into a Variety of Volunteer Activities

With spring around the corner, we have plenty on our to-do lists at The Farm, The Garden, the Gillis Campus Day Treatment School, and our Kansas City, Kansas office. We welcome any groups – large or small – to help us with projects, from organizing clothing closets to preparing The Garden for planting.

Seedlings will soon arrive and need to be transplanted into larger pots so our kids can nurture them for the next two months. Then, they will find new homes during the Thyme for Kids Plant Sale in April. Seedlings are arriving this week, as well as the weeks of March 11 and March 18.

Spring Break (March 25–29) is also a time we try to make memorable for our youth in residential care. It’s a perfect opportunity for volunteer groups to create fun memories with our kids by organizing a game night, afternoon craft project, or cookout.

Please get in touch with Lea Loudon, our Community Engagement Manager, to learn more and start your volunteer experience.

Mentors Make a Difference

Mentoring is important for youth to develop a positive, healthy relationship with an adult who can support them through life transitions and personal, academic, or other challenges. Our mentorship program focuses on building meaningful, healthy, one-on-one relationships with youth ages 5–18. Mentors are encouraged to visit their mentees at least once a week in order to establish a consistent, reliable, and supportive relationship. Mentors must be 21 years of age, submit to a background check and drug screen, attend training and orientation, and make a six-month commitment to their mentee.

From golf outings to bonding over basketball, our incredible mentors are making a lasting impact on the lives of kids in our residential treatment program. Meet Catherine, who shares life skills with Javon, and Alan, the bowling pro who is creating special memories with Miles.

OUR MOST CRITICAL NEEDS

• Hygiene Products (deodorant, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner)
• Sports Bras
• Men's Boxers
• Leggings
• Joggers
• Kids' clothing for 5-12 year olds (shirts, pants, hoodies)

To drop off donations, visit the Gillis Campus Admin Building and ask for Lea Loudon.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Savor the Sound

Saturday, February 24 | 4 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Kansas City Room at 28 Event Space

Though the event is sold out, volunteer positions are still available! Join us for a magical evening of music and culinary genius while helping with setup, check-in, serving, check-out, or teardown. This event benefits our Build Trybe program.

Annual Community Forum

Thursday, February 29

Join us for the 2024 Community Forum, where you’ll be among the first to hear about the latest developments in our Outpatient Counseling and BIST programs, including the highly anticipated release of “Cultivating Behavioral Change in K-12 Students,” the BIST program’s first comprehensive book.

New this year, the 2024 Community Forum will be pre-recorded and shared with the Cornerstones of Care community via email and our website on Thursday, February 29. Hosted by President & CEO Merideth Rose and Chief Programs and Innovation Officer Justin Horton, the annual Community Forum offers a concise, 15-minute overview of Cornerstones of Care’s past, present, and future.

Save the date and follow us on social media to tune in, engage with us, and get excited for the opportunities ahead in the coming year.

Caring About Community Coffee

1st Wednesday each month | 8–9 a.m.

Gillis Campus Administration Building

We are excited to invite you to attend our monthly Caring About Community Coffee at our Gillis Campus. These informal gatherings facilitated by members of our executive leadership team are a great way to get answers to your questions as you start your day. Come with curiosity and leave feeling caffeinated, connected, and more knowledgeable about the organization and how you can get involved.