CORNERSTONES SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2012

A Communiqu of

& Cornerstone Community Development Corp., Inc. 1819 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. * Dallas, TX 75215 Post Office Box 152551, Dallas, TX 75315 Phone (214) 426-5468 / Fax (214) 426-0512 www.cornerstonedallas.org / info@cornerstonedallas.org Dear Friends: School is finally over! Its time for FUN, FUN, FUN! No more school until August! These are just a few of the comments of neighborhood children as they celebrate the schools year end. However, in a few weeks, statements such as Im bored! I cant wait to see my friends! Theres just nothing to do around the house all day! are some of the phrases that will become common talk. Cornerstone has provided a summer-long day camp free of charge to provide a loving and constructive environment where children can play, meet new friends, and have a great time. The camp is not only a place for fun, meeting friends, and having a great time; but, reading enrichment is enforced since it is typical for children to academically fall behind during the summer months. This year, summer long camp will be held at the site of the old location, Cornerstone Baptist Church 2815 S. Ervay Street, Dallas, 75215 from June 11th July 27th 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM daily. The camp is free of charge and will be operated by other youth from the South Dallas/Fair Park community who serve as camp leaders and role models for the young children in the neighborhood. In addition to the summer camp offered at the churchs facilities, there will be 14 other weeklong camps that will take place throughout the South Dallas/Fair Park neighborhood. Activities will be held at recreation centers, community parks, and on the playground of various elementary schools. The camps will be led by a number of youth groups and other mission teams coming to Dallas to serve at Cornerstone. Donations from friends has made it possible for each camp to have a sport component that teach skills such as team work, leadership, and working together to accomplish a goal. If you would like to assist in providing summer fun, enrichment, and character building for neighborhood children here are some ways you might consider helping: Sponsor a field trip (transportation included) - $500.00/week Sponsor meals for the sites where the Summer Food Program is not eligible - $250.00/week Sponsor a Thursday Family Night at the Park for neighborhood children & families - $300.00/week Collect children books & clothes that will be distributed during the Thursday Night Family celebrations Volunteer to serve as a reading partner (based on your time availability) Assist in delivering lunchtime meals to the various locations where camps will be held

CORNERSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH

We will be sure to keep you updated on the various activities this summer via the website. Please log on often at www.cornerstonedallas.org to see how you contributions are making the difference in the lives of children.

REACH 4 HOPE / C-KIDS HOMEWORK CENTER

www.reach4hope.com

With a motto: Reaching South Dallas, one child at a time. The Homework Center has completed another year of helping kids succeed in school by assisting with homework assignments, projects, and tutoring. John and Suzanne Tranhan, the directors of the Center write, Thank you to everyone who contributed to another extraordinary year at Homework Center. Attendance grew over 100% and we included teens, which turned out to be a great decision. Friendship, leadership and a sense of community were strengthened and enhanced with our youth and leaders as we focused on effort and character-based living. Because of the support of so many, the Homework Center has also expanded to provide swimming lessons at the local YMCA, camping trips, mentoring relationship and so much more. Volunteers from various churches and colleges helped the center to accomplish several of its goals which included:

Providing a safe haven and positive, caring atmosphere for students to study and complete homework Teaching guiding principles from the Bible for a faith foundation Proving meaningful and fun activities for student participation Providing a hearty, healthy, home cooked meal Mentoring students academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually Motivating students to excel to the best of their ability Increasing students sense of self-worth and self-confidence through mentoring with positive role models Helping students in specific academic subject areas Allowing students opportunities to research and complete projects as needed Teaching or reinforcing good study habits Developing a cooperative team effort with community teachers Providing opportunities in which they can expand their view of the world

The Homework Center will expand again this coming fall and need volunteers, please visit us at www.reach4hope.com for additional information.

CHAMPIONS OF HOPE MENTORING

www.championsofhopedallas.org This year as the school year closes, Champions of Hope Mentoring program will have provided 105 mentor matches with children in South Dallas neighborhood. Not only did the number of mentors expand but the outreach has now expanded to additional schools in the community. This program continues to see very positive results in the lives of neighborhood children. To better understand how Champions is impacting these young people, consider the following: One-on-one Matches- We believe mentoring is most effective when one mentor gives their time and effort to one child. However, many mentors grow in deep relationships with the family, siblings, and friends of that child. While we match one adult to one child, we love seeing natural relationships grow and impact others through that match.

Community-based mentoring- Mentoring does not typically occur during school

hours, but rather after school and on the weekends, 12 months a year. This allows for a greater amount of time and flexibility for spending time together and allows the mentor to become involved in many aspects of the childs life. This also allows mentors to provide academic help after school and to participate in sports, cultural activities, family events, etc.

Ongoing Training and Support- Champions is dedicated to providing our

mentors with ongoing training and support throughout the progression of the mentorship relationship. This is the main purpose of our staff to ensure that the relationships are maintained with as few hiccups as possible. We provide group trainings on a periodic basis, offer resources and encouragement, as well as provide support on a case-by-case basis as needed.

When and Where Mentoring Happens- Mentors coordinate with the students guardian to arrange when they can
spend time with the child after school or on the weekends. Mentors are expected to meet with their student for the full calendar year, including summers. Mentors are encouraged to spend time in the childs community and also initiate additional activities outside of the community.

By spending time in the community, we hope our mentors grow to value the well-being of the community and impart that value to the child. If you are interested in learning more about Champions of Hope, please visit us at www.championsofhopedallas.org.

CORNERSTONE CROSSROADS ACADEMY

www.cornerstonecrossroads.com As the Olympic Games 2012 gear up in London, one of the sports that remind me of the students at Cornerstone Crossroads Academy is the 100 M Hurdles. On Saturday, May 26th, we celebrated the accomplishment of six our students who overcame one hurdle after the other to walk across the stage and receive their high school diploma. Although each year many at-risk students in South Dallas choose to drop out of school rather than face another day of confusion and disappointment. Their dream of a high school diploma evaporates and no one seems to care. Cornerstone Crossroads Academy welcomes these students and invites them to try again. In the last newsletter from the school, Dr. Kristi Lichtenberg, the Principal/Program Director of CCA, shared the story of two of the students who overcame hurdles in order to accomplish their dream of a highs school diploma. Student Spotlight: Raneasha Jackson - Raneasha is one of the most precious young women you could ever hope to meet. Refusing to become bitter and angry over life's difficulties, Raneasha brings joy and peace everywhere she goes. At the age of 20, Raneasha had already lived in foster care, a group home, and a shelter for the homeless when she enrolled at CCA. When asked about her experience at CCA, she shared, "After I came, I thought to myself, 'This is the start of something new' . . . I'm loving it so much!" Raneasha is expecting a baby in September and would like to work and go to community college. Her thoughts about the future: Bring it on! Student Spotlight: Andre Alexander - Andre is a student who never stops inspiring us! From the moment he openly shared his struggles with staff during his initial interview to his exploration of other faiths, Andra demonstrated a thirst for truth. Andra had dropped out of high school after feeling that he was invisible in the classroom. For several months, he tried to make a life for himself without a high school diploma, but quickly realized that his options were limited. Andra describes his experience at CCA as focused, and different. He has worked very hard to catch up and will be graduating this May. He will be working at Wind River Ranch in Colorado this summer and plans to begin Barber College in the fall. If you are interested in helping students overcome various hurdles to accomplish their dreams, please visit us at www.cornerstonecrossroads.com.

THE NEW DENTAL CLINIC

Although opened for only two months, the dental clinic is looking for ways to expand to better serve the needs in the community. Currently, there is a waiting list of patients who desire to receive services. If you know dentists who might be willing to assist in this outreach, please contact Larry Bickel @ larryb@lakepointe.org.

BELOVED Literacy Outreach

The Beloved Literacy Outreach Ministry continually works with women in the community by providing Bible Studies, encouragement, and support for women in the community. We recently noticed that the women needed assistance with their literacy skills. The leadership team and several volunteers have received training through the Dallas Baptist Association and are planning this summer to implement a program to help women in the community to better read and write. If you desire to serve in this outreach, please contact Bev Brown @ bevbrown@tx.rr.com.

THE ROCKS MEDICAL OUTREACH

The Rock's Medical Outreach (RMO) has been dispensing love, compassion, and hope to the less fortunate through providing quality medical care, medicines, and medical supplies in the South Dallas and developing nations without charge for nine years. Earlier this year, to continue to meet the growing needs of the neighborhood, volunteers agreed to start providing medical services on the 2nd Saturday. The plans are underway to add an additional Saturday. If you are able to assist, please contact Carolyn Stone @ cbstone1@verizon.net or visit us at www.rmo.org.

PHILEMON/TRINITY AND MARTHAS HOUSES

The new Philemon/Trinity House for men and Marthas House for women transitioning to the South Dallas community continue to grow. When the new mens facility opened earlier this year, we were already at capacity and plans are underway to expand phase I later this year. We have found that one of the most effective aspects of this outreach is providing a mentor for each individual as they make for a successful transition. The current growth means that we will have a need for additional mentors over the coming months. Training is provided. If you are interested in serving, please contact Richard Robertson, Program Manager @ movnchrist@gmail.com or visit us at www.trinityrestoration.org.

CORNERSTONE KITCHEN EXPANSION

Currently the Cornerstone Kitchen meets in a facility is about 2,700 square feet. Due to limited space, multiple meals must be served in order to accommodate the growing need. Plans are underway to build a new a 10,000 square feet which will have a kitchen, expanded restroom, and multipurpose area. We will look forward to sharing with you in the near future the architectural design and more information regarding the ground breaking ceremony. If you would like to assist in the on-going needs at the Kitchen that provided about 6,000 meals each month, they are: Corn, Green Beans, Pork and Beans, Ranch Style Beans, Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce, Rice Syrofoam Plates and Cup and Plastic Forks and Spoons Sugar, Coffee and Cream, Powder or Concentrated Drinks Dish Washing Liquid, Bleach, Disposal Gloves, Trash Bags (Heavy Duty) Napkins, Aluminum Foil, Plastic Wrap, Scrubbing Pads Butter, Seasoning Salt, Gravy Mix Packets, Salt & Pepper (packets)

BACK TO SCHOOL CARNIVAL

Saturday, August 18, 2012 - 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Cornerstone will provide a Back to School event. In preparation for this event, Cornerstone is collecting backpacks and school supplies. The goal is to serve 1,000 children this year. Donations may be dropped off at - CORNERSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH - 1819 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. -= Dallas, Texas 75215 If you desire to make a tax deductible contribution to Cornerstones Outreach, you may send you donation to: CORNERSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH POST OFFICE BOX 152551 DALLAS, TEXAS 75315-2551 You also visit us by logging on to www.cornerstonedallas.org.