Cornerstones is grateful to the many partners and caring individuals who enable our work, and is proud to present this snapshot of our impact in 2015. Looking back, we reflect on the key drivers and trends that determine our work today and in the future.
Behind the numbers—Every year we are confronted with the startling number of people who in this otherwise wealthy and well-resourced community struggle to make ends meet. There is a large and growing gap between the wages individuals earn and actual costs to meet basic household expenses—stress felt not just by the very poor in our community, but by middle class working families, veterans, retirees and college graduates. This growing insecurity is stretching the human services safety net beyond capacity as we now try to cushion those who once drove the economy.
Working smart, making a difference—Addressing these complex human services challenges requires new ways of working. Cornerstones is an innovator in Northern Virginia, bringing together people and strategies from multiple sectors to harness and target expertise and resources for more effective impact for our neighbors. Cornerstones’ signature approach—working in purposeful and targeted partnerships—may help us mend the net and work towards greater community well-being.
Blueprint for the future—Cornerstones joins in celebrating the life of Reston founder Robert E. Simon and the ideas, people and movements he inspired. Cornerstones took up that charge 45 years ago with its own notion of a place where all are welcomed and where the assets that sustain and enrich a person throughout his or her life – from fulfilling jobs to a wide range of housing types at prices to meet each family’s need – are accessible to everyone in the community, so that all our children, families and businesses can thrive. While never fully or perfectly implemented to scale, the blueprints are safe in our hands and will guide Cornerstones’ work for the future.
Jill Norcross, Chair
Kerrie Wilson, CEO
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