CORNERSTONE CENTER FOR

EARLY LEARNING AUGUST, 2017

There are day cares. There are preschools. And then, there’s Cornerstone!

MESSAGE FROM JERRY EHRLICH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: On May 24th, Cornerstone Center honored 24 children who will be attending kindergarten in the fall – children

from a variety of backgrounds; children who have come to understand and appreciate diversity; children who

are ready for that next big step. Indeed, the 2017 Cornerstone Center Commencement was fun and a real

source of pride for all of us at Cornerstone, for the children, and for all of their parents/guardians, families, and

friends. Among the comments I received:

“Thank you! We couldn’t have made it without you.”

“Thank you so much! You kept believing when others didn’t.”

“You guys are fantastic! I can’t wait to have another baby just so I can send him to Cornerstone.”

“She’ll do great in kindergarten … but it won’t be Cornerstone.”

Indeed, I/we are honored, but permit me to give thanks as well …

To our 24 soon-to-be kindergarteners: Thank you for your smiles, enthusiasm, creativity, and hugs.

To the parents/guardians of these children: Thank you for all your suppor t and all your trust.

To my entire staff: Thank you for your love, guidance, and talents.

And to many of YOU who are reading this newsletter … individuals who have donated and who are

donating time, product, services, and dollars: Thank you for your support, commitment, caring, and

generosity; for your belief in the potential and ability of each and every child and each and every family.

Indeed, Cornerstone could not be Cornerstone were it not for you.

CORNERSTONE ENROLLMENT AND DEMOGRAPHICS (JANUARY 1 - JULY 31, 2017): 177 total children served (approximately 150 children served daily); ages 6 weeks to kindergarten entry

44% from working families with annual income under $20,000; 59% under $30,000; 32% over $50,000

39% of families paid no tuition per state income guidelines; 15% paid $1-$25/week

51% African American; 32% Caucasian; 10% Multi-racial; 6% Hispanic; 1% Asian

46% from single-parent households

86% from St. Louis City; 12% St. Louis County; 1% St. Charles County; 1% Illinois

19% received developmental therapies on-site and at no additional cost to the families

11% in foster care placement

TRIVIA NIGHT “UNLIKE ANY OTHER” SET FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 19TH:

“I laughed all night long … the emcee is absolutely hilarious.”

“More fun than any trivia night I’ve ever been to, and it didn’t take up an entire

Saturday night.”

“Questions not too tough and not too easy … just right!”

“Great evening for a great organization.”

These are just some of the many comments from the 2016 Trivia Night benefitting

Cornerstone Center. The 2017 Cornerstone Center Trivia Night is Saturday, August 19th at Central Reform

Congregation (corner of Kingshighway and Waterman). There’s still time to participate. Tables of 10 for

$250 (or $25 per individual and we’ll find you a table). Round Sponsors also are $250. Contact Anne May,

Director of Development, at 314-865-5244, ext. 314 or amay@cornerstonecenterstl.org.

“CELEBRATION” BLOWS AWAY PREVIOUS HIGH BY $50,000!! RENE KNOTT TO RETURN

AT WINDOWS ON WASHINGTON: Approximately $161,000, an all-time high, was raised for

Cornerstone Center programs and services at the 23rd annual “Celebration for Children” held April 29th at the

MOTOmuseum in Midtown. (The 2016 Celebration for Children raised a previous all-time high of $110,000.)

The evening featured complimentary vintage wine, silent auction (and, for the first time, mobile bidding), live

auction, dinner, raffles, fund-a-need, video, and a Wishing Well. KSDK Anchor Rene Knott served as

Honorary Chair & Auctioneer, and he was fantastic, entertaining the 300 people in attendance and

successfully conveying the extreme importance of Cornerstone Center in terms of nurturing and educating

children as well as strengthening families.

Many thanks to all attendees, donors, contributors, volunteers, and an amazing planning committee headed by

Board Chair, Darcy Smith! Special thanks to the following major sponsors:

Benefactor Sponsors: Behlmann Automotive in Troy, MO – Behlmann Buick GMC Cadillac & Behlmann

Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram; John D. McGurk’s Irish Pub & Garden; Anonymous (2).

Companion Sponsors: Centene Charitable Foundation; The Daniel & Henry Co.; Hampton Village

Pediatrics; Harold L. Zaring Charitable Foundation; Sandberg, Phoenix & von Gontard P.C.; Anonymous (2).

Classroom Friend Sponsors: Ameren Missouri; Carrollton Bank; Clayco, Inc.; Commercial Bank; Joseph

Epplin & Margaret Zapf; Patrick J. Finneran, Jr.; Mike & Maggie Gallagher; Missouri Foundation for Health;

Sal & Jan Ruvolo; Darcy Smith; Stephen & Angela Strum; Anonymous (2).

SAVE THE DATE: The 24th annual “Celebration for Children” will be Saturday, April 28, 2018 at

Windows on Washington in downtown St. Louis. Rene Knott returns as Honorary Chair & Auctioneer.

Darcy Smith, Board President/Event

Chair, and Rene Knott, Honorary

Chair & Auctioneer

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TO HOST NOVEMBER 4TH FUN RUN & BARBECUE:

A 5K run, a 1 mile run, a 1/10 mile toddler trot, a BBQ on the Cornerstone playground, and

KSDK meteorologist (and Honorary Chair) Jessica Quick … who could ask for more?!!!

Thanks to the efforts of the Cornerstone Young Professionals, it’s all on Saturday,

November 4th at Cornerstone Center with the running events to begin at 11:00 a.m.

Participant information will be available soon on Cornerstone’s brand new website (see

below). Sponsors are needed now at the $500, $250, and $100 levels, with sponsors

receiving logo recognition on event t-shirt as well as complimentary race entries. Contact Anne May, Director of Development, at 314-865-5244, ext. 314 or

amay@cornerstonecenterstl.org.

VISIT

CORNERSTONE CENTER’S

NEW WEBSITE!

WWW.CORNERSTONECENTERSTL.ORG

CLASSROOM COUNSELOR HELPS WITH SOCIAL AND

EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Last year at this time (and

making a commitment to the overall health and development of

children), Cornerstone Center announced the hiring of an on-site Classroom Counselor (yet

another way in which Cornerstone separates itself from so many other early learning

centers) to assist children in understanding and managing their emotions and behaviors.

Dani Fee is Cornerstone’s full-time, on-site Classroom Counselor. She has a Master’s

Degree in School Counseling, is a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor, and has 10+ years working

with children with behavioral issues/concerns.

Through her work with children individually as well as in small groups, Dani is helping all children learn and

practice social skills that are important in the school environment as well as in everyday life; she is supporting

children in areas including active listening, empathy, cooperative play, conflict resolution, and identifying

feelings; she is proving to be a tremendous resource for parents. According to Executive Director, Jerry

Ehrlich, “All of us are incredibly pleased with Dani’s success. In today’s world, helping pre-kindergarten

children with their social and emotional development no longer can be ‘icing on the cake’ and something only

if the budget will allow. It has to be part of the ‘cake,’ like so many other needed services.”

Jessica Quick

KSDK Meteorologist and

Honorary Chair

ZEE BEE GIVES BACK: Zee Bee Market (3211 S. Grand Blvd; 63118), a fair trade

market that sells handcrafted and eco-friendly gifts from around the world, recently hosted a

“Give Back Week” in which Cornerstone Center received 15% of all sales. Thanks Zee Bee

Market! Pictured: Zee Bee Market owner, Julio Zegarra-Ballon (left), with Cornerstone

Board Member, Andy Bredemeyer.

2016 AUDIT: Cornerstone Center continues to display fiscal responsibility. Per the 2016 audit conducted

by the accounting firm of Schmersahl Treloar and Co.:

Total Support and Revenue: $2,083,118 (45% government; 28% tuition; 14% United Way; 13% other)

Total Expenses: $2,014,383 (81% programming; 19% management and fundraising)

Net surplus: $68,735

Operating Reserves: 37% (United Way recommendation of 25-75%)

STAFF MILESTONES: Congratulations and thanks to the following Cornerstone staff who, in 2017,

celebrated significant service anniversaries of 10 years or more:

CORNERSTONE CENTER NIGHT AT THE MAGIC HOUSE: Sunday, July 9th was

the seventh consecutive “Cornerstone Center Night at the Magic House” when

Cornerstone children, families, and friends were able to enjoy, free of charge, all

the wonders and excitement of The Magic House – St. Louis Children’s

Museum. Thanks again Magic House!

GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL … NCJW STYLE: On Sunday, July 30th (and

also for the seventh consecutive year), 20+ Cornerstone soon-to-be kindergarteners

received back-to-school supplies and new clothing as a result of the Back to School Store

run by the National Council of Jewish Women – St. Louis Section. Thanks again NCJW!

PARENTS ALSO LEARN AT CORNERSTONE: From April 27th - June 1st,

Cornerstone Center offered a six week class for parents and guardians to learn how

to prepare healthy, delicious meals and stretch their food dollars. Offered in

conjunction with Operation Food Search and led by trained culinary and nutrition

professionals, the class (held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the Cornerstone

kitchen) featured hands-on learning, group discussion, a variety of cooking tips

and techniques, and a bag of free groceries for each of the participants. According

to Tricia Gooden, Head Start Program Coordinator, “The program was a huge

success; parents were very appreciative!”

Debra Clark, Teacher 37 years at Cornerstone

Jeannette Johnson, Teacher 28 years at Cornerstone

Tracey Dorenbusch, Office Manager 23 years at Cornerstone

Marian Crane, Teacher 22 years at Cornerstone

Alice Washington, Cook 21 years at Cornerstone

Jami Melton, Development Specialist 19 years at Cornerstone

Vanessa Anthony, Teacher 18 years at Cornerstone

Liz Mueller, Teacher 17 years at Cornerstone

Doris Leachman, Teacher 15 years at Cornerstone

Markie Hempen, Office & Operations Assistant 15 years at Cornerstone

Toni Jackson, Teacher/Coordinator of Special Programs 10 years at Cornerstone

VOLUNTEERING AT CORNERSTONE - A WIN/WIN!: In 2016, 564 volunteers contributed a total of

3,827 volunteer hours, and we are certain to eclipse both numbers in 2017! Whether you, alone, wish to

volunteer or perhaps bring a group from your company, organization, or school, we need you and would love

to have you! Volunteers assist directly with children, perform needed facility maintenance, serve on

committees and our Board of Directors, and assist at special events. And Cornerstone Center is not the only

one to benefit. As one Minneapolis teen from YouthWorks, a mission-based volunteer organization,

commented, “Volunteering at Cornerstone changed my life.”

WISH LIST: Cornerstone Center relies on the generosity of a caring community. If you can donate any of

the following, please drop by, and thank you! If you have any questions, please contact Jan Freeman, Center

Director, at jfreeman@cornerstonecenterstl.org or 314-865-5244, ext. 203.

Diapers (sizes 3,4,5) – Cornerstone Center goes through approximately 500 diapers per day!

Wipes (unscented)

Formula (any brand)

Bibs

Water color paints

Washable tempera and markers

Dixie Cups (5 oz)

9-12 oz paper/plastic cups

Sidewalk chalk

Children’s CD’s and puzzles

Playground balls (new/used)

Post-it Notes

Scotch tape

Batteries (AA, AAA, C, D)

Staplers and staples

Scissors (adult only)

Party-type plates (9”)

Washable Elmer’s glue

Glue sticks

Children’s paint brushes

Boxes of tissue/Kleenex

Stickers (any kind)

Masking and blue painter’s tape

Bubbles and bubble wands

Mailing labels

File Folders

Blue ink pens

Darcy Smith, President (The Boeing Company)

Brian Wacker, Vice President (Herzog Crebs LLP)

Andy Bredemeyer, Treasurer (Pierian Diagnostics)

Lance Bryant, Jr. (Sach’s Electric)

Dan Cooper (Edward Jones)

Dr. Sriram Devanathan (Medical Guidance

Systems, LLC)

Alan Dierker (Swink, Smith, Coplen

& Company, P.C.)

Maggie Gallagher (Community Volunteer)

Kam Johnson (Wells Fargo Advisors)

Prudence Kramer (Community Volunteer)

Dr. Jenni Ladage (SSM Health Cardinal Glennon

Children's Hospital)

Marsha McGuire (St. Louis University Hospital)

Carmin Pruitt (Centene Corporation)

Melanie Smith (Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church)

AND THANKS TO SOME SPECIAL VOLUNTEERS -

THE CORNERSTONE CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD MEMBERS EMERITUS: Leslie Goldberg (Community Volunteer) and Susan Goldberg (SSM Health)

WATER PLAY: IT’S AUGUST … IT’S HOT … AND ...

CONCERT AT CORNERSTONE: How does an award-winning musical

duo spend its time before performing at the famed Sheldon Concert Hall in

St. Louis? Of course, they perform at Cornerstone Center! Thanks to the

efforts of Board member, Maggie Gallagher, the duo known as Switchback

performed for Cornerstone children the morning before their performance at

The Sheldon. Switchback played everything from bluegrass to jazz to

country to rock ‘n’ roll. Cornerstone kids loved the performance!

AND JUST A BIT MORE …: Cornerstone teachers continue to enlighten and

inspire with their creativity and ingenuity. Creating kids’ cookbooks … learning all

about dinosaurs … setting up an indoor campground … traveling the world via art

and food … holding a presidential election … and so much more! By the way, the

Presidential election was between Duck, a major character in a series of children’s

books by Doreen Cronin, and Clifford the Big Red Dog. And the winner …

Clifford!

A HUGE thank you to IKEA USA for selecting Cornerstone

Center to be a recipient of its Give Twice program. IKEA

volunteers first delivered more than 500 stuffed animals, books, and toys to Cornerstone

children. Then, they stayed to read to all 78 preschoolers.

Cornerstone Center soon will have a natural play area and garden at one end of our huge

outdoor playground. The project is being coordinated by several Cornerstone staff and

representatives from the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Once again (and we can’t say it enough), a gigantic Cornerstone “THANK YOU” to all Cornerstone

friends who have donated finances, items, services, and time. As mentioned on page 1 of this newsletter,

Cornerstone could not be Cornerstone were it not for YOU.

There are day cares. There are preschools.

And then, there’s Cornerstone!

Founded in 1969,

located in St. Louis’ Shaw neighborhood,

the first accredited early learning center in St. Louis city:

Cornerstone Center for Early Learning provides licensed, award-winning, and affordable childcare and

pre-kindergarten education for working families of all economic backgrounds.

Cornerstone Center for Early Learning enables parents and guardians to remain in the workforce or

pursue additional education.

Cornerstone Center for Early Learning enables all children and all families to experience diversity, and

to embrace the understanding and acceptance that follows.

There are day cares. There are preschools. And then, there’s Cornerstone!

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CORNERSTONESTL

Jerry Ehrlich, Executive Director

jehrlich@cornerstonecenterstl.org

314-865-5244 ext. 311