Cornerstone understands that even if you are safe right now, you might be experiencing some lasting impacts due to past domestic violence, sexual violence or human trafficking. The violence is not your fault. You are not alone. We are here to help and support you as you work to process the trauma you experienced, learn coping skills and move forward in addressing your goals.
Violence and abuse is not only unhealthy for adults, but for kids too. If you’re a parent, you might be concerned about the effects of violence on your children. Our team of youth advocates works specifically with kids to help them understand that the violence in their home was not their fault and to handle their emotions in a healthy way. We are also onsite in Hennepin County schools to work with students who’ve experienced or perpetrated violence in school, at home or in their dating relationships. If you’re the parent of an abusive child and could use some help coping, our parenting specialists are here for you.
Contact us at 952.884.0376 to schedule an appointment with a Cornerstone advocate. Spoken and ASL interpreters are available for all of our services.
Individual Advocacy
Our advocates are available by appointment to meet with you individually to discuss your situation and next steps. Our work together can include discussing your current concerns such as safety, housing and finances and identifying resources at Cornerstone or other agencies we partner with to get you what you need. Our youth advocates can meet with your children for age-appropriate support to help them cope with the violence they have witnessed and to learn about safe, healthy relationships. We also have specialized services for sexually-exploited youth.
Support Groups
Cornerstone’s support groups are designed to facilitate a sense of community with other survivors. Due to staff capacity, we offer online support groups and one in-person group to female identifying victims/survivors of domestic violence. We look forward to expanding our support group offerings as our capacity and participant interest grows.
Below is a list of Cornerstone support groups currently offered below, and please note that support group availability and formats vary throughout the year.
Group Title | Frequency and Meeting Type | Description |
Tuesday and Wednesday Support Groups | Weekly – In-person (Tues – childcare available), Virtual (Wed) | Facilitated, advocacy-based discussion-time opportunities for women who have or are experiencing domestic abuse and violence. Common topics include self-care, building self-esteem, parenting, physical and emotional safety, coping skills and boundary issues. |
SEY Caregiver Support Group | 3rd Tuesday of the Month – Virtual | A licensed therapist and advocates will facilitate a support group for caregivers and youth 12-18 who have experienced or are at risk of sexual exploitation. See more information here. |
My Life My Choice Support Group | Weekly – In-Person | An evidence-based youth curriculum designed to prevent exploitation and/or re-victimization for youth. |
Financial Planning and Economic Education
Cornerstone offers support to you as you work to create a financial plan for you and your family. We can meet with you individually and support you as you attend a series of financial classes or workshops to help you manage your finances, create a budget, understand credit and learn about banking and investing. Workshops take place at Cornerstone offices, partner agencies and online via Zoom.
Help with Housing, Finances or Finding a Job
Housing and financial independence is important to being able to leave your abusive relationship or achieve your own goals. We can assist you in seeking affordable housing for you and your family, as well as with finding a job. Cornerstone’s transitional housing program may be an option, which includes ongoing support and advocacy to help you achieve your goals.
Our extensive economic empowerment program includes workshops on personal finances, money management and credit counseling. Advocates can work one-on-one with you to help with personal finances. Matching savings accounts may also be available to you once you’ve completed the workshop series so you can accelerate your savings towards a specific purchase. If eligible, we can match your savings up to 3:1 as you save for such things as education, home ownership, a small business or a car.
Therapy
Cornerstone’s licensed therapists have expertise in helping adults and children and youth 6-17 explore and work through a variety of issues, and do so through creating a safe and non-judgmental environment where you can begin to overcome life’s challenges and live your authentic life. People come to us after experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or general crime, and our therapy team uses collaborative, strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches as they listen, assist and support you with gaining insight into your life to achieve a sense of well-being. Our therapists believe in joining you wherever you are at in your journey and identifying goals that we can work together to achieve. We can help you with a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma recovery, grief and loss, relationship concerns, processing through difficult life transitions and disrupted family functioning. Therapy is offered on an affordable sliding fee scale at our Bloomington office or online via teletherapy.
Leave a message on our Clinical team’s voicemail by calling 952.646.6554. The voicemail is checked weekly.
In-School Programming
Cornerstone’s School-based Services Program staff are in more than 20 schools in suburban Hennepin County, speaking with thousands of students each year about dating violence, bullying, cyber-bullying, unhealthy anger, sexting, harassment and sexual violence. In addition to presenting to classrooms, we also meet individually with students at school who’ve experienced or perpetrated violence and abuse. Learn more
Parenting
If you are the parent of a child of any age who has been exposed to violence or abuse, also known as adverse childhood experiences, you can learn strategies to help your child process their emotions. Cornerstone’s advocates also provide special activities for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
Cornerstone supports anyone who is affected by relationship violence, including domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking. Our safe and confidential support over the phone, via Zoom, at one of our locations or at your school can help you process the trauma you’ve experienced, share your feelings, gain skills to cope and plan for your next steps. All ongoing support services are free of charge, with the exception of therapy which is billed on a sliding scale fee. We also offer support to family and friends of victims / survivors and others who are concerned for someone they care about.
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