(posted 4/19/10)

MCBW Releases 2009 Femicide Report

Each year, the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women releases its femicide report. 
This report includes the names of women and children who have died from domestic violence or child abuse in Minnesota over the course of that year. The release of this information is intended to educate the public about the lethality of domestic violence and child abuse and to raise awareness about the important role organizations like Cornerstone play in keeping victims of domestic violence safe.

To learn more and to view the 2009 femicide report, please visit the MCBW website

Cornerstone receives $4,000 grant from the C. Charles Jackson Foundation

In September, 2009 Cornerstone received a $165,000 grant from the Office of Justice Program to support our Preventing Abuse and Violence through Education (PAVE) Program. More specifically, the funding is to expand truancy work with at-risk students in Bloomington, Eden Prairie, and Richfield schools. 

Truancy is a common indicator of later juvenile delinquency and other self-destructive behaviors. PAVE Educators work with at-risk students on truancy issues, run a truancy support group, and provide one-on-one counseling for students who are habitually truant or are at risk of habitual truancy. With the new funding, we will expand these services to additional high schools and junior high schools. 

This month, the C. Charles Jackson Foundation awarded Cornerstone with a $4,000 grant to support I’m Here, a truancy campaign designed for and by students. Through this initiative, formerly truant students work with PAVE Educators to create an ad campaign to encourage other students to come to school. The benefits of this program are two fold: students running the campaign learn valuable leadership skills, and students who are struggling with truancy are encouraged to come to school. 

(posted 2/2010)

Thank You!!

A Cornerstone client received a donated, repaired 2004 Chevrolet Impala just in time for Christmas!
The family receiving the vehicle previously used the bus for all transportation including getting to and
from work, taking her three children to school and daycare, and completing all shopping trips. The vehicle
will be much more convenient, save the family tremendous amounts of time, and give the mother freedom
to look toward different job opportunities.

The vehicle was made available through a partnership in which Lehman's Garage arranged for donations
from multiple vendors for the vehicle's parts and Hennepin Technical College and Lehman's employees donated
their time to make the repairs.

The vehicle was donated at a presentation on Tuesday, December 22 at Lehman's Garage in Bloomington.
Congressman Erik Paulsen spoke along with representatives from Lehman's Garage, Hennepin Technical College
and Cornerstone.



(posted 12/2009)

Introducing GiveMN!

GiveMN is the destination for online charitable giving in Minnesota. Created by Minnesota donors and nonprofits
for Minnesota donors and nonprofits, GiveMN is the best way to find and support the causes you care about.

Consider the impact: Every 1% of Minnesota personal donations that move online will save the nonprofit sector
more than $5 million in fundraising expenses. That's putting a lot more of your donation dollars to
work changing lives!

GiveMN.org
Click. Contribute. Change Your World.

Find Cornerstone at GiveMN

(posted 12/2009)

When Lindsay came to Cornerstone’s emergency shelter, she felt the abuse she had been going through
was not only affecting her, but her children and dogs as well. She was afraid to leave her two dogs behind
not knowing what would happen to them.

Pet Crossing Animal Hospital and Dental Clinic, Cornerstone’s partner in our Pet Protection Program,
provided the dogs with a safe place to stay. Lindsay’s son Chris was behaviorally challenged and had an
extremely hard time letting the dogs go. The veterinarians at Pet Crossing told the family they could keep in
touch and this eased their transition into shelter without the worry for their littlest family members,
Bullwinkle and Cashew.

Bullwinkle and Cashew were timid, shied away from people and jumped at any loud noise when they first
arrived at Pet Crossing. The veterinary staff was wonderful at introducing them into their new, calm environment.
They had a huge kennel with heated floors and their own beds. They eventually warmed up to
the staff and even began learning commands and tricks.

While staying at Pet Crossing the dogs received seriously needed grooming and were given all of their
up-to-date vaccinations at no charge. The family would regularly check in to see how their dogs were doing;
the staff members were helpful and enjoyed relaying any new obstacles the dogs had overcome. They sent
postcards of the dogs to the family to say “hi” and let them know they were okay. Occasionally, when time
allowed, the shelter advocates would pick up Bullwinkle and Cashew and bring them to spend a few hours
with the family. It was amazing to see the impact the two dogs had on the family’s outlook. Just a visit would
ease some of the behavioral issues that Chris was having.

The day Lindsay and her sons found a home of their own was joyous. The family had over come many
barriers and was anxious to begin a new life, violence free. After moving their belongings and making the
home dog ready we were able to reconnect the family with Bullwinkle and Cashew.

It was a sad yet happy day at Pet Crossing. Through the good-bye tears it was obvious the dogs were
going to be missed. When the family was reunited, the happiness on everyone’s faces, including Bullwinkle
and Cashew was unmistakable. Lindsay commented that she would never have been able to leave if she did
not have somewhere safe for her “babies” to go. She said the transformation in Bullwinkle and Cashew,
how bouncy and full of life they were, was heartwarming.

Lindsay could not describe the appreciation she has for Cornerstone’s Pet Protection Program and Pet Crossing,
and how much they affected saving her family’s lives. 

(posted 10/2009)