The funding will end, but the pain will not; and neither should our support

More than a decade ago, Cornerstone first began providing services in rebuilding refugee resilience through resettlement.  Last week, we received the sad and unexpected news that our federal funding would be completely cut to ZERO under the new administration.  This past year, in partnership with the IRC, we had a $1.19 million-dollar contract and helped thousands of refugees in 27 states across the US through the process of resettlement in providing sustainable mental and emotional intervention. Over and over again in our surveys and focus groups, we have heard from our clients that our work has truly been life-changing for so many. 

As we watched the footage of released prisoners and hear shouts of gratitude and jubilation coming from reunified families in Aleppo and other long besieged cities throughout Syria, so many of the families we have served over the past several years have been reaching out in elation thanking us for helping them keep that hope alive.  While it can be so easy sometimes to extinguish that light when you feel alone, our clients have let us know that Cornerstone has helped them keep that light alive. I am reminded today of how much more work needs to be done as more and more forced migrants are pushed out of their homes and their countries around the world.  One of our greatest tools of resistance in approaching our clients with collectivist counseling has always remained the thread of hope. 

This month, we made the conscious decision not to hold a Giving Tuesday fundraiser or an annual giving gala because we felt that there were so many other causes worthy of compassion and support, and we were reliant on the renewal of our anticipated contract to continue to provide our services. However, since learning that we have NO FUNDING for the coming years, we humbly turn to you for help. Please help us help others in rebuilding their lives from the inside out through the process of resettlement by donating to this important cause

We are counting on you being there for those who need us the most!