R Clay introduced Carly Cunningham from Cornerstone:
Carly joined the Cornerstone team in 2016 fresh from studying Public Relations at Durham College. Beginning her time with Cornerstone on a maternity leave contract, she held two other contract positions with the agency before accepting the role of Manager of Communications and Donor Relations in April 2019, and then taking on the Manager of Fundraising & Communications in 2023. Carly facilitates the organization’s fundraising and communications programs and is responsible for creating and distributing both internal and external communications projects. Additionally, her direct responsibilities are the Annual Giving initiatives, the Major Gift program, and donor stewardship. Further, signature events, third party fundraising are her responsibilities, along with engaging and educating the community on Cornerstone, as well as managing our amazing team of volunteers. Carly has always enjoyed giving back and has volunteered her time with the Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation, Sounds of the Next Generation, and Trinity United Church. An amateur baker, interior design enthusiast, and reality TV fan, Carly was born and raised in the community, and resides in Cobourg with her Husband Matthew and dog Hank.
Carly joined us via Zoom as she currently isn't able to drive due to a recent skiing accident.
Carly provided us a virtual tour of Cornerstone's facility in Cobourg.
Cornerstone was founded in 1983 by five women at their kitchen table. The year before they started with a phone number and answering machine at the same kitchen table. They will celebrate 40 years this year. They are a 24/7, 365 day a year service.
All services are confidential and no limits to times accessed. They work with stakeholders and agencies to support women and families.
Their facility is very homelike. They have a nursing station, various rooms to relax and socialize, kitchen and play ground. Their cook prepares a dinner daily. Other meals are provided from a pantry and shelves prepared by the clients themselves.
They have 4 different counseling stations in the building. They have a store so clients can make their own choices.
"Home Like Environment'. Don't want it to feel like a prison. They want the space to be inviting.
They have an integrated system of care including; shelter for women, government funding, crisis line and child welfare. They help clients connect to other services and keep women safe.
They also provide youth support and education.
Gender based violence is increasing. One of their goals is to bring this issue to the forefront. Violence includes physical, verbal, financial, sexual, isolation and trafficing.
They have very dedicated staff. COVID made them adjust including doing more digitally.
They get funding for 14 people but often serve up to 23. They don't turn people away but seek to find a way to help.
Now coming out of COVID restrictions, they are excited to do more in person.
Youth need consistency and routine. Youth experiencing mental health issues such as anxiety. Since September they have reopened their youth services and there is a demand from teachers and students. There is no provincial funding for youth services.
The housing crisis is aggravated the situation. So they do not put a time limit for a women to stay at Cornerstone. Some have been there over a year. They want them to leave and be successful. The issues can be complicated. There is an increased need for special assistance.
In the future, they plan to expand, educate and create an endowment fund. They are looking to create self contained units but current site doesn't have the space for this. Their last capital campaign was in 2007.
They are looking for donations, volunteers and for us to talk about the issues.