
Advocacy in Action: Our Work to Create Meaningful, Enduring Change in our Community




General Assembly: Day for All People 2025
On January 15, Cornerstones was honored to join 450+ advocates for the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy 2025 Day for All People in Richmond. With over 30 Cornerstones team members and community leaders riding together on the bus, we united to fight for affordable housing, healthy and resilient neighborhoods, and thriving children, youth, and families. From inspiring speakers to workshops and meetings with our state legislators, this day proved that real change starts with us and together we are stronger!
Residences at Government Center II Groundbreaking, Monday, December 9
Fairfax County officials and Cornerstones CEO Kerrie Wilson celebrated the groundbreaking of Residences at Government Center II on December 9, an affordable housing community in the Braddock District near the Fairfax County Government Center. The development, led by Lincoln Avenue Communities, will feature 279 units, with 65% being two- or three-bedroom apartments, and aims to provide housing for low- to moderate-income households. Designed with sustainability and accessibility in mind, the project includes two five-story buildings, ADA-accessible units, EarthCraft Gold Green Certification, solar panels, and EV charging stations. U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly, a champion of the first Residences project, spoke at the event, emphasizing the county’s goal of creating 10,000 affordable homes by 2034. Expected to be completed by February 2026, the development will foster community engagement through features like the 15,000-square-foot “Fairfax One” service hall.

The Town of Herndon Mayoral Candidate Forum: A Night of Insightful Discussion and Community Engagement
On September 30, 2024, Cornerstones, the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, Trinity Presbyterian Church, and Herndon Community Television hosted the Town of Herndon Mayoral Candidate Forum, drawing over 100 attendees, including community members and leaders. Mayoral candidates Pradip Dhakal and Keven LeBlanc discussed key issues such as affordable housing, the town’s five-year strategic plan, sustainable development, ethical governance, and resident safety, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and partnerships. Following the forum, attendees connected with the candidates during a post-event reception, sparking deeper discussions about Herndon’s future. Cornerstones extended thanks to event organizers, panelists, Trinity Presbyterian Church, and Crumbl Cookies Reston for their support.
The forum is available for viewing here, and we encourage the community to stay involved through our Advocacy in Action events.
Advocacy Writing Workshop
On Friday, August 23, in partnership with Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and St. John Neumann Church, Cornerstones hosted an Advocacy Writing Workshop for advocates to build their skills in writing op-eds, letters to the editor, and presenting testimony to elected officials. Thank you to the advocates who joined us, to St. John Neumann for hosting us, and to Sheila Herlihy Hennessee of Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy for sharing an excellent presentation!

General Assembly 2025

Our Advocacy Platform
“Access to Affordable Homes” means…
- Everyone can secure a safe and stable home, regardless of income level or personal circumstance.
- Homes are available at affordable price points for all, including our workforce, seniors, young families, first time homebuyers, adults with disabilities or who require support to live independently, and individuals and families at the lowest income levels.
- Tenants and homeowners are not cost-burdened (i.e., paying more than 30% of their income for housing), and that they understand their rights and have the power to advocate for themselves, their families, and their community.
- Investing in building and preserving affordable homes in neighborhoods with assets such as public transit, good schools, proximity to jobs, retail, parks, and recreation facilities.
- Dedicated adequate federal, state, and local funds to the building and preservation of affordable homes to ensure this goal is achievable.
“Healthy and Resilient Neighborhoods” means…
- All community members feel safe, valued, and connected to their neighborhood.
- Strong and healthy relationships between families and schools, law enforcement, community program providers, and community leaders.
- Access to physical and mental healthcare without any barriers.
- Availability of living wage jobs that offer benefits, including paid leave.
- Community members are aware of where and how to access help to build economic security, resiliency, and stability.
- A public transit system that works for all residents.
“Thriving Children, Youth, and Families” means…
- Affordable quality childcare is available to all families and that every preschool-age child has access to early education and kindergarten readiness programs.
- Schools receive adequate funding and resources to support all students.
- No one goes hungry. Everyone has access to healthy food.
- Households have the necessary financial resources to thrive.

Our Advocacy Committee
Our Advocacy Committee members participate in monthly meetings to develop our advocacy strategies and opportunities for action.
Many thanks to our committee members. Want to get involved or learn more? Email advocate@cornerstonesva.org
- Brian Funaki (Co-Chair)
- Karen Courtney (Co-Chair)
- Debra Allen
- Roberta Gosling
- Amy Joyce
- Andy Lacher
- Margaret Anne Lara
- Sara Leonard
- Erin Loadholtz
- Ken Plum
- Jenny Roellke (intern)
- Gillian Sescoe
- Monique Sharpe
- Stephen Smith-Cobbs
- Tracey White
- Kerrie Wilson
Becoming an Advocate with Cornerstones is simple!
Sign up here to receive our advocacy newsletter with updates, information, and ways to get involved
Cornerstones provides support and advocacy for those in need of food, shelter, affordable housing, quality childcare, and other human services.
We envision a community where all our neighbors in the Dulles corridor have access to affordable homes, in healthy and resilient neighborhoods, where all children, youth and families are thriving.