News

CCO Sponsorships

Posted on by Nathan

Sponsor services and events at CCO

Become a sponsor for our many services and events that CCO provides to our clients. We have sponsorships available for services such as laundry, transportation, toiletries, bedding, and meals. CCO also hosts several events and celebrations throughout the year that provide joy and encouragement to our residents. We need your help to purchase food, decorations, prizes, gifts, and other supplies.

Donate Now!

Sponsorship Tiers

Choose what level of sponsorship that fits in your budget and with a tax deductible donation, you can partner with CCO by providing funds towards a specific event or service.

Diamond Sponsors

Become a Diamond Sponsor with a tax deductible donation of $10,000 or more. Diamond Sponsors receive:

• Recognition in our E-newsletter to volunteers and donors
• Your Logo or name on ALL printed material for events that calendar year.
• Personalized plaque recognizing your organization or an individual.
• Organization or individual name on sponsorship page with clickable logo linked to your website.
• Social Media “Thank You!” Post

Platinum Sponsors

Become a Platinum Sponsor with a tax deductible donation of $5000-$9999. Platinum Sponsors receive:

• Personalized plaque recognizing your organization or an individual.
• Organization or individual name on sponsorship page with clickable logo linked to your website.
• Social Media “Thank You!” Post
• Recognition in our E-newsletter to volunteers and donors

Gold Sponsors

Become a Gold Sponsor with a tax deductible donation of $2500-$4999. Gold Sponsors receive:

• Appreciation gift
• Recognition in our E-newsletter to volunteers and donors.
• Organization or individual name on sponsorship page with clickable logo linked to your website.
• Social Media “Thank You!” Post

Silver Sponsors

Become a Silver Sponsor with a tax deductible donation of $1000-$2499. Silver Sponsors receive:

• Recognition in our E-newsletter to volunteers and donors.
• Organization or individual name on
cornerstone sponsorship page.
• Social Media
”Thank You!” Post

Bronze Sponsors

Become a Bronze Sponsor with a tax deductible donation of $250-$999. Silver Sponsors receive:

• Organization or individual name on
cornerstone sponsorship page.
• Social Media
”Thank You!” Post

Non-Congregate Shelter for Families

Posted on by andrew

Imagine the benefits of a non-congregate shelter for families experiencing homelessness! Picture a welcoming shelter space offering families individual hotel-style rooms with a toilet, sink, and shower in each room. The Non-congregate model shelter affords moms, dads, and kids greater privacy, dignity, and wellness.

Studies show that more families move from homelessness to permanent housing from non-congregate shelters, but the benefits start long before families move into their new homes. The following are just a few scenarios. Parents with teens would have a chance to retreat into a private space to nurture their relationships with each other. Also, families with members who have special needs or disabilities would have better health and emotional balance. It is not uncommon for a parent to bring a newborn into the shelter, an individual room would produce healing, rest, and recovery for a mother and newborn, reducing physical and emotional exhaustion.

Shelter guests will still have ready access to their case managers and other CCO staff. Research shows that guests in non-congregate shelters have a higher rate of staff engagement. Families benefit when parents access assistance and get help to stabilize their future.

Cornerstone endeavors to provide the very best shelter experience to vulnerable families experiencing homelessness. Over the years, all of Cornerstone’s shelter spaces have had construction renovations and upgrades. As a result, some shelter programs have semi-non-congregate rooms, offering families private rooms with shared bathroom facilities.

Through your ongoing support, Cornerstone will continue to welcome families of all sizes and descriptions into safe shelter spaces with wrap-around services. We believe everyone can benefit from non-congregate shelter units, and Cornerstone hopes to make this advantageous shelter model a reality.

Together, we can provide and improve shelter facilities for families experiencing homelessness!
Click here to donate today.

New Sponsorship Opportunities

Posted on by Nathan

Bring the Happy and Sponsor a CCO Event!

Cornerstone is rolling out new sponsorship opportunities and packages for events at CCO. Events and celebrations are an important part of the wholistic care that CCO provides to our clients. Become a supporter of Easter Baskets, Back to School, Halloween and Christmas events at CCO. You can . Backpacks, shoes and socks for Back to School; costumes and prizes for Halloween; Christmas gifts for each child, parent or guardian, man and woman sheltered at Cornerstone.

Easter Baskets

Easter is hopping our way! Click here to visit the Easter Amazon Wish List and shop for Easter goodies that will put smiles on the faces of children staying at CCO with their parents. A simple Easter basket with treats and toys could create a delightful memory for a child at CCO. 

Back to School

Every year Cornerstone hosts and event for our resident children who are returning or just starting school. CCO provides the students with new items such as backpacks, school supplies, shoes, underwear and socks. Giving them a fresh start for the new school year. Cornerstone has set up an Amazon wish list for the needs of this event. Go here to purchase items to give these kids a new start on their school year.

CCO resident children receiving school supplies and new backpacks at The Cornerstone Community Outreach Back to School Celebration.

Back to School Party 2024
August 14, 6:30PM – 8:30PM

Back to School Amazon Wish List

If you would like to sponsor this event beyond the Amazon Wish list, please refer to our sponsorship page for sponsor tiers. Monetary sponsorships for this event needs to be received by June 3rd.

Halloween

For children and their families at CCO, being able to participate in national celebrations is so important to bring normalcy and connection to society around them. Every year Cornerstone hosts a fun Halloween party with costumes, games, treats and dancing! It is a good time for all. If you would like to help with this event, please go to the Amazon Wish List and purchase items like costumes, treats, prizes and games.

Family Halloween Party 2024
October 29, 6:30PM – 8:30PM

Halloween Amazon Wish List

If you would like to sponsor this event beyond the Amazon Wish list, please refer to our sponsorship page for sponsor tiers. Monetary sponsorships for this event needs to be received by September 24th.

Christmas

Christmas is a time to reach out and share love and compassion with each other. CCO makes it a point to collect wish lists from the children to try get them a gift that they would want. We also proved gifts to the parents to give to give to their kids and each other. An army of elves organizes, sorts, wraps and distributes presents to families and single residents. If you would like to contribute to our Christmas efforts, go to our Amazon Wish List for children and adults, there you can support us by purchasing gifts, gift cards, wrapping paper, tape, and decorations. If you would like to volunteer go to our volunteer page for more information.

Family Christmas Party 2024
December 20th, 6:30PM to 8:30 PM

Christmas Children’s Amazon Wish List
Christmas Adults Amazon Wish List

If you would like to sponsor this event beyond the Amazon Wish list, please refer to our sponsorship page for sponsor tiers. Monetary sponsorships for this event needs to be received by October 14th.

Non-Congregate Shelter Project @ 1140 W Wilson

Posted on by andrew

Update March 1, 2024:
We are grateful for all the support Cornerstone has received from everyone in pursuing a location alongside the Department of Housing and Department of Family & Support Services to create non-congregate shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness in Chicago.

Part of that work was to go before the Department of Planning and Development Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), to request Special Use Zoning to convert 1140 W Wilson building to shelter. During the meeting there were some commercial businesses and neighborhood residents that opposed having a shelter in the area, and some opposed to the request being made on that day, asking for more time to work out their objections.

Due to the time constrictions on the project, the hearing moved forward, and after over four hours of cross-examination and discussion, the ZBA was split on their vote to grant the Special use, and the request did not pass. Due to that, Cornerstone is not pursuing 1140 W Wilson as a possible site, and is working on other sites for that program.

What each of us can do is to continue to support Cornererstone’s ongoing operations, and stay tuned! Cornerstone is still working toward the same objective, and as new opportunities arise, we will continue to keep you updated. 

Cornerstone Community Outreach is a grantee partner of the City of Chicago’s Non-Congregate Shelter Acquisition Program, and is proposing to acquire the property 1140 W. Wilson Ave in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago, complete targeted updates and renovations, and transition their existing shelter program operations to the site upon completion.

Community Supporters

Organizations

The Buddhist Temple of Chicago – 1151 W. Leland Ave

Chicago Homelessness & Health Response Group for Equity (CHHRGE)

Citizen Skate Shop – 922 W Wilson Ave

Everybody’s Coffee 935 W. Wilson Ave

Heartland Alliance Health – 4750 N. Sheridan Rd

Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons – 1040 W. Bryn Mawr Ave

Illinois State Representative Hoan Huynh – 1967 W. Montrose Ave

Jesus People Covenant Church – 920 W. Wilson Ave

MADO Healthcare – 4621 N. Racine Ave

Missio Dei Chicago – 931 W. Wilson Ave

New Friendly Towers SRO – 920 W. Wilson Ave

Nine3nine Creative – 939 W. Wilson Ave

Northside Action for Justice – 1020 W Bryn Mawr Ave

ONE Northside – 4648 N Racine Ave

Uptown Peoples Law Center – 4413 N Sheridan Rd

Uptown Bikes – 4653 N Broadway

Uptown Ace Hardware – 4654 N. Broadway

Voice of the People – 4611 N. Sheridan Road

And as of today there are an additional 95 letters of support from local residents of Uptown within 4 blocks of the site!

2023 Christmas Photo Album

Posted on by Beth

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.

Cornerstone Helped Me

Posted on by Beth

“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.”

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.

  • Ildevert Mboungou, as told to Beth Nicholls and translated by Franke Moukiama

A Happy Holiday for Everyone

Posted on by Beth

“Christmas isn’t just a day; it’s a frame of mind.” -Kris Kringle, Miracle on 34th Street

Christmas is for everyone! Cornerstone works hard each Holiday to celebrate and remember every shelter guest. Join us in making this time of year memorable for children, parents, and single adults experiencing homelessness.

We’re looking for volunteers to work in Santa’s workshop sorting, wrapping, and labeling Christmas gifts. Most people arrive at Cornerstone with little more than a backpack or duffle bag. We hope you will help us spread Christmas cheer through gift-giving. You can shop and donate gifts through the Cornerstone Wishlist. Or make a financial donation to ensure people coming to Cornerstone right before Christmas get gifts, too. Please use the QR codes below to get involved!