Homeless Prevention Program
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” – 1 Peter 4:8-9 (NIV)
As one of the many “first contacts” people have with Cornerstone, I strive to show the love of Christ to those we serve, whether over the phone or in person during an intake appointment.
I have worked at Cornerstone since November 2010, and I have seen the love of God through the employees who work here. They strive to love each person they come into contact with deeply as they fulfill their individual role. Each employee is essential to our mission of “Uniting together in Christian love to meet the needs of people,” as we offer hospitality, particularly to those in a moment of need. What a blessing that our employees and volunteers understand our mission and strive to help us achieve it.
My main role at Cornerstone is serving as the case manager for our short-term rental assistance clients. In my job, I am able to come alongside a family for three months to help with their rent and utilities, when they would otherwise be on the street. There are many families in need in Tarrant County that I come in contact with in person and on the phone. There are so many needs that we are not able to help everyone, but we do our best to refer them to other organizations that may be able to help. Please lift up a prayer for those families as you think of the hurting in our community.
My encouragement to you today is to show the love of Christ where you are. My hope and prayer is that your service to God occurs both inside and outside of the walls of Cornerstone. We are so grateful for our numerous volunteers, who do such a great job. Together, we can be a part of God’s kingdom of love, compassion and hospitality.
Paul Hood-Patterson
HPRP Case Manager
Warm Fuzzies 14
One of our program participants is successfully finishing her first semester of college. She has been encouraged and motivated by her success- and has already signed up for the next semester, which she is eager to begin.
Despite unexpected health and financial difficulties, one of our single mothers has shown tremendous endurance in striving towards self-sufficiency. She is demonstrating to her children that when things get hard, you persevere and do not give up. This single mother is using a difficult situation as an opportunity to show herself and those around her that she is able to overcome the hard things in life.
One of our single moms attended the spring workshop and was excited because she learned how to better-understand her children. Equipped with the knowledge that we all learn differently and are “smart” in different ways, she now recognizes the gifts God has given her children and rejoices in how each child is uniquely made. She is helping her children identify the direction and unique calling God has placed on their lives.
A married father of 5 was able to return to work! He has aspirations of increasing his training in order to reach his budget, employment, and income goals to support his family- all while his wife attends TCC.
A single mother of 1 is embarking on a new business venture in sales. She will continue in her current position until her personal business is able to sustain their family. Although she works on the weekends, she is trying to find a single parents group and is pursuing church attendance during the week for growth, support, and accountability.
I had a gentleman come in via Mercy Heart. As we sat down and talked about his circumstances, he began to share that he was experiencing a great deal of conflict with his significant other. This was the “straw that broke the camel’s back” for him, as he was already in dire straits, which brought him to Cornerstone in the first place. Strongly prompted by the Holy Spirit, I pressed in and eventually led him to tears through prayer. I don’t know exactly what God did in his heart in that moment; I do know, however, that it was powerful and good.
Another interaction involved a family who was soon to be evicted. The husband and wife had both started new jobs and needed several weeks for the money to start rolling in. Due to impending eviction, however, they had nowhere to go during the interim. This challenge was further compounded because they have a child who’s only several months old. I was able to obtain special discretion from one of my funding sources to gather a storage and application fee at a new apartment building. Also, we found some relatives who were willing to help the family during the transitional period.
Prayer Request
A single grandmother of one has secured part-time employment with the opportunity to increase her hours in the future. Please pray that this job will be consistent and she will be able to find greater employment soon.
Each Warm Fuzzies post is a compilation straight from our case managers, telling the amazing things God is doing at Cornerstone in the lives of those we are privileged to serve. To God be all the glory!
We Love our Volunteers!
God has accomplished so much at Cornerstone through volunteers. These men and women have each given at least 50 hours of volunteer service to Cornerstone between January 1 and April 30, 2011. They are the top 6% of all volunteers in total hours donated so far this year. We are SO grateful for their generous gifts of time and talent!
Janet Powers (CWJC)
Marguerite Schildgen (Thrift Store)
Harold Kimber (Senior Adult Bible Study, WelcomeBack)
Lori Manning (Promise House)
Terry Pickle (Thrift Store)
Robin Williams (CWJC)
Travis and Jill Pipkin (Administration)
Lynda Swoveland (CWJC)
Marianne Dennehy (Thrift Store)
Bill Richards (Thrift Store, WelcomeBack)
Bill and Barbara Norman (Administration, Thrift Store)
David and Lois Essells (Thrift Store)
Sheila Daniels (Promise House)
Britt Reed (WelcomeBack)
Amy Hernandez (Administration)
Teddi Wilson (Administration)
Sherry Bracy (CWJC)
Mary Stanley (Administration, Thrift Store)
Edward Villanueva (GED, Medical Clinic)
James Stevens (Thrift Store)
Bud Dodson (Thrift Store)
Barbara Maynard (Administration)
Dan Schmit (Medical Clinic)
Warm Fuzzies 13
Cancer can steal a person’s health, but cannot steal this woman’s hope and faith. God is the foundation that keeps her feet firmly planted. We were blessed to help with clothing during this period of chemotherapy and extreme weight loss while God is healing her soul and body.
A married father of two recently secured part-time employment! The position is flexible and can increase to full-time employment when he finishes this semester at TCC, then decrease hours if necessary when school begins again in the fall.
A father recently released from prison was sent to us for food and clothing assistance. He lives in a storage shed on his in-laws’ property to be near his children who live in the house. We were able to show God’s love to him with the items we provided. Hopefully, this will help him love in the way God intends us to love ourselves and Himself.
Each Warm Fuzzies post is a compilation straight from our case managers, telling the amazing things God is doing at Cornerstone in the lives of those we are privileged to serve. To God be all the glory!