SUMMER 2011

C O R N E R S T O N E C O M M U N I T Y O U T R E A C H

Living LifeFOR A CHANGE

Many years ago we opened the doors of our overnight shelter to 60 homeless women who would come to sleep every night on our large dining-room floor. I remember thinking on opening night, “There is something unnatural about 60 females having no place to go when it gets dark.” To give them a mat on the floor, a gray blanket, and a meal was truly a humbling experience.

The opening of our shelter program was a surprise to many of the women. One woman exclaimed, “I knew God answered prayers but I never expected this!” Another woman, appearing very tough and streetwise, said, “Things were so rough where I was, I decided I was coming back to Uptown today, even if I had to sleep on the ground. I was shocked to see this place open.” She added quietly, “It seems like an answer to prayer.” Another woman who had been staying at an overcrowded shelter said, “It’s scary to lose your place in line. Then you have nowhere to sleep that night.” It was amazing to me how many expressed a simple faith in God. A couple of women took out their Bibles and began to read before they fell asleep. I was reminded on that night that I hadn’t read mine.

A few nights later, one of the women approached me asking for some Tylenol. It was hard not to notice the mas-sive scarring on her arms and neck, almost to her face. Obviously, she had suffered through some hideous fire. I imagined how difficult it would be to go through life with

such a disfigurement, to try to maintain a normal life, to try to get a job. Who would hire her? Everywhere she went people would notice. I imagined the old scarring was quite painful. I gave her some Tylenol and she lay down to sleep. It was sad to see this poor, tired woman with scars, having to be in a homeless shelter and not in her own place. I was

S h e l t e r i n g C h i C a g o ’ S h o m e l e S S f o r o v e r 2 5 y e a r S

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Glenn Kaiser’s new recording, Cardboard Box, has CCO at its heart.

With his latest release, Cardboard Box, Glenn Kaiser creates a portrait of homelessness that compels us to look into the faces of people who live on the edges of society, and recognize our common humanity. His passionate delivery of these songs in a stripped-down Delta blues style puts the focus squarely on those whose story he is telling.

The majority of the proceeds of Cardboard Box will go to Cornerstone Community Outreach. If you are interested in this project, go to www.grrrrecords.com o

THE HEALING POOL

CARDBOARD BOX

PG 2

at least she was safe with us, and with people who wouldn’t care what she looked like.

Several weeks later, I was sitting at the front desk when I noticed the woman again. To my great delight she was carefully folding up a set of maroon sheets with matching pillowcase. She even had a maroon blanket. I thought, “Good for you.” Despite her physical condition and her homelessness, both of which were quite daunting, she had gone out and gotten herself a set of matching linen. I imagined that she felt secure and settled enough, even in our humble setting, to “upgrade” her situation just a little, and I felt happy for her.

In the middle of the dining room, where the wom-en sleep, there are several large pillars. That night as I look out over the sea of homeless women sleeping, I am reminded of the story of the Pool of Bethesda in John 5. There people came for healing. I have an impression that these sleeping women, troubled in body and soul, also lie waiting for healing. Through our doors being opened to shelter them, through the many kind volunteers who serve the food, through our conversation and concern, I believe the Lord works healing and restoration in their lives, and He wants us to pray and provide to that end.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

This article was written over 10 years ago by our execu-tive director, Sandra Ramsey. Today, the single women who live at Cornerstone are no longer on the dining-room floor. They have their own living space in our Sylvia Center build-ing. In addition to

single women, CCO offers shelter to single men who are elderly or have physical challenges, women with children, men with children and couples with children. It is our prayer that spiri-tual, physical and mental healing can begin in the lives of those we serve through CCO’s staff, volunteers and donors. o

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

THE HEALING POOL

Want to hear from CCO more often? Go to www.ccolife.org/signup to receive our e-newsletter!

WANT MORE?!

Something new and exciting is happening on the roof of CCO. High up in the Chicago sky something is abuzz. Sky Hive has begun its pilot beekeeping year with two brand new hives. The project that began in early May is an exciting addition to Cornerstone’s vision of urban farming and education. CCO is committed to having chemical-free hives so as to produce natural honey.

It has long been understood that bees are crucial to a healthy environment. They are nature’s most amazing pollinators. Not only do they perform this valuable task while foraging for nectar and pollen, they also produce all-natural honey and golden wax.

Our hope is that this program not only benefits the environment but the shelter as a whole. Next spring interested residents can join the program to gain job-readiness skills. We also hope to add additional hives in the future and create a framework for CCO’s first small business.

The Sky Hive project has just begun, and although it is unlikely we will have enough honey to sell this year we are enjoying these altruistic creatures and looking forward to honey production in future years! If you would like to help with Sky Hive’s start-up costs and be part of this beneficial project, please write Sky Hive on your donation slip. o

A GOOD BEE QUOTE… (DADANT OR NATURAL BEEKEEPING)

PG 3

The early-morning line for food stretches down the sidewalk. Person after person after person is holding a bag or leaning on a small food cart. The food program is about to begin and standing in the summer heat is not an option. Chris Ramsey and his clutch of faithful volunteers usher everyone in early to have a seat in the air conditioning. Grandmothers, military veterans, unemployed adults, a rainbow of ethnicities wait patiently to shop through the options at the front of the line.

The volunteers have been busy for hours inside the building, unloading a small mountain of boxes containing canned goods, boxed foods, breads, frozen meats, fruits and vegetables. Some are part of a visiting group and many are folks who have been helped by the food pantry in the past. This is their way of giving back. Some just want to serve. Chris Ramsey, the food bag program coordinator, is hauling boxes of frozen meat out of the kitchen and arranging them at the end of the long table of food choices. Chris has been doing this for years. He checks with his volunteers, kindly tapping a few of them on the shoulder, and tosses a quick hello and wave to familiar pantry attendants. Long tables have been arranged in an L shape for the food line. Dressing, breakfast cereal, frozen chicken, bagels and more are dropped into bags as the people make their way down the line. Everything is ready and now the shopping has begun.

At the CCO food bag program each person is able to select what they need from the options before them, and every week different foods are available. It is nice to give people a choice to accept or decline certain foods. What one person may not like, another might be anxious to take home. It’s a system that works at CCO and people seem to be happy with it.

The majority of the food distributed through CCO comes from the Greater Chicago Food Depository, an agency that advocates for the hungry and provides food. They have estimated that 31% of the households served at Chicago food pantries would otherwise have to choose between buying food and paying for housing.

Chris Ramsey estimates that nearly 150 households are able to take food bags home from Cornerstone each week. It’s clear that Chris is glad to know people are being fed and, hopefully, not having to choose between medication and dinner or rent and groceries.

The food bag program started o v e r 2 0 y e a r s ago, giving out powdered milk, m a r g a r i n e a n d p o t a t o e s . I t ’ s amazing to see how i t ’ s grown into a program that provides for hundreds of our neighbors. It’s also encouraging to see the heart and soul that goes into this major event each week. o

FOOD BAGS

Nancy SmithJoshua Abrams

Richard & Jody AckermanSteven AdellBruce Allen

Juanita AmarteyCarolyn Ambrose AbideThomas & Rosalie AmosJames & Robin AndersonRoy & Donice Applequist

Dorothy AtkinsBruce Baker

Aaron & Aimee BalsamMichael Barrick

James & Linda BassettJed & Anne Bassett

David & Debbie BaumgartnerMike & Dawn Beaver

William BickertonLaurel Bishop

Mrs. R. A. BishopGlenn BjorkmanMary Bjorklund

Elizabeth BleekerTim & Jeanne Blutt

Bob BornClayton & Susan Bosquez

Theresa BowenTerry & Kerry Bowman

John BozemanMechille Braden

Steven BraunJeannine Broadus

Ron & Marguerite BrownReed & Jennifer Brunzell

Malcolm BryanKaren Buckley

Thomas & Patricia BuckleyWillis Burgess

Dorothy CameronAnna Carlson

James & Carol CarrRachael Case

Jeanne & James CerceoMichael & Diane Cernovich

Helen ChambersJerry Cheek

Daniel ChesterGery & Sunny Chico

Gregory CilekDanute Ciplijauskas

Paul CiscoCarol & Jim Clark

David & Shannon ClemensMaribeth Clement

Linda CollinsGeorge CombsSean Connolly

A. Lee Conrad IIIRichard & Nan Conser

Daniel CookThomas & Susan CooperChris & Jennifer Cornell

Barbara Coughlin

Janice CrossSharon Crump

Martha & Samuel CruzJohn Cull

James & Veronika CurtinJames & Jeanne Dalesandro

Orbert & Lisa DavisOwen & Dana DavisTim & Amy DavisDennis DeChant

Brian BurnsLila Deladesmo

Eric DEntremontFrank & Alisa DeStefano

Peter DiColaGary & Jean Dowell

Dennis DowlingMary Dreier

Michael DutcherJeffery & Patricia Dziak

Tim DzyackyThomas Edward

Bruce & Rona ElderJeannette & Gregory Elliott

Frank & Helen EllisAnna Eng

Timothy & Gayla EnglishNancy Escue

Ricardo & Beatriz EstradaKhawaja Fakhruddin

Kathleen FattaRobert & Tammy Faux

Jacob & Chris FilesPeter Finney

Richard & Bonnie FinniganEric FisherKent Fishel

Brad & Sally FloydDouglas & Kathleen Forbes

Lisa & Kent ForemanThomas & Karen Franczyk

Susan & Thomas GalloFred Gartner

Joseph & Teri GavinByron & Sheila Gay

Wanda GearyDaniel & Mary Lee Gingrich

Christopher GliniewiczJohn GoodrichFrank GoodwinCraig Gordon

Eric & Audene GordonPaul & Eleanor Graves

Robert GroganLeah & Brian Grover

Yolan GroverBruce Haight

Tracy HallPhilip Harms

William HarndenMichael & Judy Harris

Suzanne & Kenneth HarveyStephen & Deborah Hatland

Kathryn Haughey

John HauptBrad Hedberg

Christopher HeimarckSusan & Roger Heiss

Carol HendersonJosephine Henderson

Lisa HendersonGail Hilton

Patricia & Jerry HockerThomas Howard

Jim HuntWilson & Therese Hunt, Jr

David & Margaret HutchesonMike Hutchison

David & Sheila IantornoMoses Ida

Jason InmanCharles Isenhart

Paul JalovickJowanna Jenkins

Cameron & Linnea JohnsonChristopher Johnson

Dave & Sharon JohnsonL. Jerome & Charlotte Johnson

Shirley JohnsonAlan & Kim JonesBenjamin Jordan

Glenn KaiserWilliam & Joan KamberisMatt & Kelly KammerzellHahns & Suzanne Kanode

Andrew KazaPatrick & Bennetta Kelly

Shawn & Rachel KellyRichard & Mary KendallJames & Janice Kerrigan

Timothy KlassenScott Knies

Keith KnutsonLaura Kober

Micheline KoopPaul & Linda Koptak

Jean KummererJay & Jennifer Kure

John & Deborah KurthMark & Julie Kusatzky

Victoria & Eugene KussmannJohn & Mary La Drigue

Pamela LaneMathias Langdalen

Todd LarrsonDavid Larson

Richard & Joann LarsonBrian & Angela Lavallee

Judith LazarusSteven & Patricia Lazar

Pierre LeonardWilliam & Emily Lifton

Barbara LipscombThomas & Cynthia Lithio

Amy LittleRonald & Patsy Long

Jerry & Barbara LucchiAl Maag

Alice MagelssenLorraine Magera

Micheal & Susan MaleckiSilvia Mancini

Michael & Lori MarinoJane Martin

Simona MasiniCatherine Mathey

William & Judy MattinglyJack McIlrath

George & Hazel McMurryRobert Meier

Marsha MelkonianBill Michalski

Timothy MontroyPeter & Linda Morris

Casey & Julia MulliganThomas MurphyMarcia Murton

Anne & Erik NathanBrian Nelson

Jim & Robbin NestorKimberly Nicole

Craig MorrallSteven & Analyn Nogy

Nathan & Barbara NordlundMichael & Lorena Oczkowski

Robert OlinPaula & Michael Oliveira

Lois OlsonRandall & Wanda Olson

Elizabeth OrrJ. Peter & Kathy Pagan

Glenn PalmbergGrant & Jill Peters

Robert PetersonLaura Pfarr

Joseph & Mary Ellen PohlMashun & Lisa Poindexter

Cheryl PoissonJohn & Cindy Povlinski

Kelley Miao, Finance & Ac-counting

Loretta SmailDorothy Prohl

Larry & Anita PusateriDoug & Christine Raarup

Chris & Sandy RamseyJames Ramsey

Clifford RandallSteven & Joyce Reid

Joe RickardMark Ries

Juan RomeroLisa RonczykDarrell Ropp

Ruth RostLynn Russo

Cindy Don & Patricia Sands

Adora SantosChristine SawyerAndrew Schmitz

Chris Schonbachler

Neil & Heather SchoppTom Seely

Amanda Sue & Andrew ShantzSkot & Rachel ShawKenneth Shumaker

Regina & Tom SloaneBernita SmithMarian SmithStephen Smith

Joel & Sheryl SolomonDonna Soltwedel

Sherrie SonsMichael & Cheryl Sorenson

Andrew & Joyce StedtJeff Stevenson

Robert & Patricia StewartSuzanne Stewart

Lois StoneChris StuglinLaurie SuttonErica Swinney

Steve & Debbie TaylorAdorina TomehApril Tondelli

Mattias TornquistKathleen & Kyle Tschaen

Bartosz & Maria TyszkiewiczMichael & Gail Ulm

Sheila UrbanGary & Julia Uremovich

Justin Van WieAnne Vassal

Miguel VenturaChuck Waddell

Richard & Becky WaglerDavid Walker

Michael & Michelle WaltersSally Watkins

Sally & Robert WatsonGeorge Weeks II

Christine & Michael WelshDarlene Werner

Andy & April WestbyBruce & Kay Wettlaufer

Lori & Terry WheelerMary Whisler

Oscar John WhislerRyan Whisler

Christine & Christopher WhiteJames WhitlowDerek WickwireJeffrey Widmar

Ricardo & Clara Jan WidmannJoan Williams

Stefanie & Leland WilliamsAlice Wilson

Andrew WinterLeroy & Donna Wirth

Kathy WiseSteve & Julie Wolfe

Charles & Marlene WoodsLisa Wozniak

Dean ZimmermanDonald & Sandra Zylstra

Each day your generous contributions meet needs and create possibilities for our residents. Financial donations allow Cornerstone to pay for the basic needs of our residents: heat, light, water & food. These fundamental needs often come to mind first, yet there are many other opportunities for your gift to make a difference. Even the smallest gift, such as $5 for a bus pass, may make it possible for a resident to find and keep much-needed employment. We want to wholeheartedly thank each of you for your support!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT!

Your Donation Makes a Difference!

Here are some of CCO’s regular needs. If you or your group are able to donate some of these items, please call 773-303-0119.

l Toothbrushesl Toothpastel Mouthwashl Flouride rinsel Dental flossl Brushes l Combsl Shampool Conditionerl Lotionl Shaving suppliesl Deodorantl Soapl Hand sanitizerl Nail carel Makeupl Feminine productsl Diapersl Baby wipesl Sheets, blanketsl Towels, washclothsl Pillowsl Cleaning supplies

GROUP VOLUNTEERSThanks to all of the volunteers who have spent countless hours serving. You make the difference!

@ WWW.CCOLIFE.ORGCHECK US OUT OR DONATE ONLINE

Please mail all donations and correspondence to:

CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY OUTREACH,

4615 N. Clifton, Chicago, IL 60640 SUMMER 2011

Contact Us:Tel. (773) 506-6396

REQUESTS FROM OUR

RESIDENTS

#1 Stunnas Motor Sports Club1st Presbyterian Church1st Baptist Church1st Baptist church, Sheritan IA1st EV Covenant Church1st Presbyterian Church, Manhat-tan, KSAlternativesAssociation of Indian ProfessionalsAvalonBarnabasBerean Baptist ChurchBirmingham Grove SchoolBonne Homme Presbyterian ChurchBrandywine Valley Baptist ChurchBroad St. UMCBuild OnCalvary Chapel Elk GroveCatholic Heart Work CampCDC-ieeCedar Springs Presbyterian ChurchCedarbrook ChurchCenter for Student MissionsChicago CaresChicago Hope AcademyChicago Jay-CeesChicago TabernacleChrist ChurchChrist Church UMCChrist Church-Lake ForestChurch of the Holy ComforterCity YearCivic Education ProjectCross Lanes UMCDeerbrook Covenant ChurchDePaul UniversityDOOR ChicagoEagle Ridge Church of GodEmbassy SuitesEmmanuel Episcopal Church

Emmanuel EV Free ChurchEpiphany UMCFellowship ChurchFremd HSFruitport Calvary ChurchGladwin Free MethodistGood Shepherd Lutheran ChurchGrand Ledge FUMCHanmee Presbyterian ChurchHarbert Community ChurchHarold Washington CollegeHighland Fellowship ChurchHope Lutheran ChurchIlliana Christian HSivollunteer.orgJewish FederationJohnston State CollegeJUF-TOVKorean Martyr’s ChurchLa Croix UMCMandrake Road church of ChristMessiah Episcopal ChurchMetro East Baptist ChurchMidwest Eye ServeMinnehaha AcademyMoody Bible InstituteMorris MenNail Ave. Church of the NazareneNaperville Covenant ChurchNew Hope ChurchNew Life-IdentityNewport Covenant ChurchNoah Webster Church of GodNorth Park UniversityOakdale Covenant ChurchOmega Rho EpsilonOsseo UMCOur Lady of Mount CarmelPleasant Valley ChurchPlymouth Heights Reformed Church

Prairie Hills Covenant ChurchRavenswood Covenant ChurchRedeemer Lutheran ChurchRedwood Covenant ChurchRemnant ChurchRobert Morris UniversityRotary Club of ChicagoSammanish Presbyterian ChurchSierra Vista Presbyterian ChurchSpringfield Mennonite ChurchSt. Andrew’s ChurchSt. Andrew’s Lutheran ChurchSt. Gertrude ChurchSt. Gregory the Great HSSt. James MinistrySt. Martha’s ChurchSt. Mary’s ChurchSt. Matthew’s Episcopal ChurchSt. Michael’s Episcopal ChurchSt. Paul Lutheran ChurchSt. Peter UMCSt. Thomas Episcopal ChurchSugarloaf UMCThe ChapelThe Latin SchoolThe Sportsman Channel/ComcastThurgood Marshall SchoolTrader Point Christian AcademyTrinity Baptist ChurchTrinity UMCTriumphant Love Lutheran ChurchTruman CollegeUniversity of MI alumniUptown Christian SchoolViacom-MTVWest End UMCWillow ChicagoWillow Creek Community ChurchWonder VoyageWord of Grace Men’s MinistryZao Youth

The work of CCO thrives on the creativity and help of our volunteers. We are grateful to each person who picks up a paintbrush to brighten a dull space, or a serving spoon to of-fer food to our residents. We value the smiles and enthusiasm that volunteers bring to the shelter.

Many volunteers leave Cornerstone with a sense of purpose and the good feeling of having helped others. We love seeing young people interested in serving our residents. It is widely believed that young volunteers go on to live a life of volunteer service and generosity. They represent a future that embraces compas-sion and generosity.

On behalf of our shelter residents we would like to thank the groups listed below for work-ing alongside us. You are greatly appreciated!

Don’t ever question the value of volunteers. Noah’s Ark was built by volunteers; the Titanic was built by professionals. -Unknown

CCO Volunteer groups, April–August 2011

visit us at ccolife.org

PHONE (773) 506-4904 FAX (773) 303-0116

Cornerstone Community Outreach is committed to the service of home-less and low-income persons in Chi-cago with the goal of safe and stable permanent housing for its residents. Cornerstone Community Outreach is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that does rely on private contributions. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed under IRS regulations.

Thank you for taking a moment to read our newsletter and learn more about our services to the individuals and fami-lies we work with every day.

CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY OUTREACH4628 N. Clifton Ave.Chicago, Il, 60640

CCO is partially funded by CDHS and HUD.

DELICIOUS ELK TACOSDelicious elk tacos make a tasty meal and are on the menu at CCO! An army of

volunteers cook wild game to create a unique experience for our hungry residents. Hunt.Fish.Feed. has blessed Cornerstone by providing distinctive food that has filled the hungry.

Hunt.Fish.Feed., created by Sportsman Channel, is a unique outreach program that taps an underutilized food source--game meat and fish donated by sportsmen--to feed those struggling with hunger across America. Sportsman Channel and its partners have a mission to help end hunger while promoting an alternative solution through national media outlets.

In an effort to raise awareness in the fight against hunger, Sportsman Channel launches annual tours to serve cities with the greatest homeless and poverty-stricken populations. CCO is grateful to have been the site chosen to feed the hungry in Chicago. Thank you, Hunt.Fish.Feed! o