Cornerstone Community Outreach

Thanks again to City Year for helping clean our basement.  You worked fast and efficiently.  Thank you for helping us in this major job!

CCO is pleased to become a member of Uptown Chamber of Commerce and Business Partners. We look forward to working closely with many agencies and businesses in Uptown.

Shown on WTTW on May 27th,” The Life of a Homeless CPS Student”

We look into the life and challenges of a homeless 11-year-old Chicago Public School student, and learn what the city’s school system does to help.

Courtesy of Chicago Tonight.

What?! Yes , come out on June 20th to the Hunger Walk .

The Hunger walk  helps raise funds for Cornerstone Community Outreach ( CCO) and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The Hunger walk is a 2.5 mile walk along Beautiful lake Michigan leaving from Montrose Harbor.  And by participating in the Hunger walk you can help feed CCO’s homeless people.

You can help in two main ways;

• first sign up to walk- make sure you sign up as a walker for CCO,
• second – give. Our goal is to raise $6,000.

We spend over $200,000 a year in maintaining and feeding over 400 people daily. We spend $40,000 yearly on food purchased just from the Greater Food Depository. If we can get 31 walkers and raise at least $1,000 we will get bonus points , which translates into credits for food for our homeless women, men, and children.

Every dollar we raise is credited to our account. So we need you to come  and walk or give but be sure to sign up specifically with CCO so that our account is given credit for your participation. Below is the  link for more information and for easy access to sign up  and/or give. Thank you for caring for the homeless.

-Eve

There will be more info on the way…

Start your walk here!

“Among Chicago’s Homeless are Teenagers with Little Way to Get off the Streets” from do1thing.org, is a compelling account of a man who is still a teenager, homeless in Chicago. Mr. Green resides at our Epworth Shelter, but that is just the smallest part of the story. Do1thing.org continues to highlight the lives of children and teens in vulnerable situations.
Read the full article here.

This holiday season brought many amazing gifts, and unique moments to remember.  Children were blessed with many presents.  Temperatures dropped quicker than we were used to.  Winds picked up, well we expected that.  But a mountain of coats, now that was truly amazing.

A local physical therapy and health center did a collection through the early winter at their office, for Cornerstone Community Outreach, (CCO).  The center traditionally pursuing food donations to  each year for benefit a shelter in Chicago, this year they tried something new.  And it was very well received.  From those who passed through their doors, over 120 coats were collected.  The director and his wife then loaded up their vehicle, and delivered them to 4615 North Clifton Avenue.

That Saturday, the coats were handed out at CCO’s Dinner Guest program to anyone who needed one.  With over two hundred people getting meals that day, the coats went fast.

A hot meal and a new coat, everyone felt extra warm that day.
That’s why you, we, all of us, do what we do at CCO.

-AW

Christmas went great.  My favorite moments are seeing a former resident
of the shelter coming by to pick up presents for their kids.  One mom
in particular was waiting for Eve,  when her younger son excitedly
yelled out my name.  He remembers me because his dad and I have
the same first name. 

They have an apartment in the city, the dad is
employed, but with just enough money for the cost of living, they asked
if we could help with presents for the kids.  Yes of course, was our
answer. 

The kids were beaming when they saw the size of bag that their
presents were in.  They hauled it off, and I said goodbye.  Not sure
when I will see them again, but they are former residents, fond
memories, and family, in a way that only comes with surviving
together. 

Your help, your donations, your thoughts and prayers this
season, made it possible.

Thanks so much.

-aw

Today, together, we meet one of the most basic human needs.  Shelter.

With temperatures plummeting to -3°F, but feeling like -30°F with wind chill, it is dangerous not to have a place to be.

When the weather is as extreme as this, CCO opens its doors to serve as a Warming Center, “…where any resident can go during periods of extreme cold temperatures to stay warm and safe.”

Though the majority of people who are homeless are able to find a place at night, many shelters for single women and men do not have the ability to operate during the day, even on days like today.

If you know someone in need, and are near us, drop by or call us at 773-271-8163.  If not, then call or have them call 311 in Chicago, or go to the City of Chicago website for addresses and phone numbers.

Please keep those who are homeless in your thoughts or prayers this Holiday Season.

Last night 25 or more people were spreading Christmas spirit and wrapping gifts.

Everyone who stays at the homeless shelter is going to receive many awesome gifts.  Presents for the kids and adults at CCO needed to be wrapped in preperation of Saturday’s “Santa” present giving.  With a goal of 4 or more presents per young kid, or a CD player or Mp3 for each teenager, they succeeded!  The gifts came from all over, individuals, families, groups, foundations, you!

Parents and adults also received VISA gift cards that they can spend where most needed.  Thanks to Weston Solutions, they received greater value cards than last year.

Tomorrow morning, volunteers and staff are going to distribute the gifts to everyone.  Thanks to Eve, Lyda, and everyone who came out.  You were all amazing.

Happy Holiday.