|
|
Watch this video to see how Essentia Health has invested in our community center to help strengthen our youth and community.
Learn more about who we are and what we offer the community.
Watch this to dive into the collaboration and care that helps prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences in Frazee.
Lake Region Art Council blog on Art Advocacy Day with CornerStone (2024)
Click Here to be directed to our Annual Report
What is CornerStone?
|
In the heart of our community, a beacon of hope and empowerment stands tall. CornerStone Community, Youth, and Family Resource Center, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to engaging our community and nurturing the potential of our youth.
CornerStone's mission is partnering to build a healthier community for families and youth by providing nutritious food, mentorship, fitness, arts, culture, and skill development in a safe, supportive environment - while making connections to the resources they need to thrive. Youth participants are provided a safe place to gather and so much more. Youth will gain much needed skills for life and leadership. We see future entrepreneurs being developed in our MakerSpace area promoting creativity and fun. Youth also have free access to a food pantry and full kitchen so no kid goes hungry at the Youth Center. Families utilizing our family resource center services will find connection to local and county resources as well as urgent needs to help get them through the day or week. We know that a helping hand can be the difference between finding long term resources to grow on and losing everything. Helping families create stability protecting our youth from loss and trauma can change the trajectory of their childhood and adulthood. CornerStone provided Open Community Hours Monday through Friday 9am to 5:30pm this summer and is currently operating those same hours during the school year. |
Open Community Hours (this is when staff/volunteers are present in the facility and doors are unlocked) are for youth who are in 4th - 12th grade free of charge. 3rd grade and younger children must be under the supervision of a caregiver assigned by the parent/guardian. Before entering on their own we ask that the parent consent and liability/waiver be complete.
Adults are welcomed in the building during all Open Community Hours as well with a small daily fee of $3 or anytime from 7am to 10pm 7/days a week with using a door code that you receive with a monthly membership of $20/month. We do have an introductory price if you sign up for a yearly membership for $150. If a family has a membership, all youth (12th grade and younger) must be under the supervision of an adult on weekends and during extended member hours. Background checks are completed for all staff & volunteers. Over the summer we reach about 150 different youth. Every day there were youths coming and going! Since school has started we are up to over 300 youth who have registered to attend CornerStone. We are currently open to youth right after school until 5:30pm. We follow the school early outs and closures. |
What does CornerStone have to offer?
|
- Lower Level: Community & Youth Center
We encourage you to stop in to see the lower level of our building which houses the youth center space and art and maker space. It's a place where people of all ages can let their creativity flourish. Whether you're interested in crafting, woodworking, or other hands-on activities, we want to encourage creativity and entrepreneurs to grow and thrive. Some equipment within the MakerSpace are : 3-D printer, laser engraver, Cricut Maker 3, screen printing, photography equipment, arts and crafts, painting and sketching, wood burning, metal stamping, jewelry-making, Legos and more! Other equipment that is bringing lots of joy to the youth are the Pool table, ping pong, foosball, Nintendo gaming, Karaoke equipment, Board games and puzzles. The Lounge area brings a sense of home into the space! Youth love to cook their own meals and baked goods in the full kitchen. CornerStone is a place where our youth can grow, learn, and thrive. This space is available for rent and perfect for hosting parties, meetings, or any gathering that brings people closer. CornerStone Community & Youth Center is home away from home for our youth. We want them to feel comfortable stopping in to cook up some food, have a snack, lounge around, play a game or be as creative as they want to be. We have lots of things available to use but it is up to them to use the items with care. They can be as active as they choose with their engagement throughout CornerStone but we always ask them to show their respect and leadership skills for all who use this space. We are a safe space for them to be and enjoy watching them make this space their home away from home. The youth have been blessed to participate in many things for the first time! Played frisbee golf, water skied, attended Vikings game, rode the Becker County Transit, hung out at DLCCC, went Kayaking, sewed pillows, played card games, kickball & played pickleball. |
- Upper Level: Corner Collective
Bistro, Arts, & More! The upper level of CornerStone is bustling with energy and community spirit. Here, you will find a full-service crepe and coffee shop that not only serves up delicious treats but also provides a cozy space for neighbors to gather and connect. From fresh pressed coffee to entrées made to order, you're sure to find something to excite your taste buds in the Corner Collective Bistro. The retail space offers unique gifts, baking, and coffee products, often crafted by local artisans, making it a wonderful place to shop for special occasions. We roast fresh coffee beans in the bistro available for sale. There will be an area for our up and coming artists as it will highlight young entrepreneurs as they will be able to display and sell their creations and art work. The revenue from the Crepe & Coffee Bistro supports the operations and programming to engage the community to empower youth. CornerStone Community & Youth Center is not just a building; it's a lifeline for our community. We invite you to come and be a part of this empowering journey. Whether you're a neighbor looking for a warm cup of coffee or a young person seeking guidance and inspiration, CornerStone welcomes you with open arms. Family Resource Center We will soon begin construction of our much needed FRC space in the upper level. We are serving local families to build connections to the resources they need to thrive. The goals of a successful FRC are to support families to be strong, healthy, and successful, to contribute to building a strong and healthy community, and to reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect by building the research-based Strengthening Families Protective Factors. FRC does this by providing family-strength supports and services in line with family needs and interests, including parenting classes, direct assistance, community navigation services, better access to services and supports, and a welcoming space for families to connect and engage. |
How can I help and learn more?
|
To stay connected, keep up to date on current events, learn more about CornerStone's programs, events, and how you can support this vital community resource, stop on in and visit with Mackenzie, visit our website cornerstonefrazee.org, provide your email to receive newsletters & updates, follow us on facebook, connect through remind by texting 81010 text this message: @frazee300 or call Mackenzie at 218-329-6199.
Together, we can build a brighter future for our community and empower the youth who will shape it. To give online now, learn how to volunteer, or shop for our current grocery needs visit our giving page today! |
How did Cornerstone come about?
In summer of 2018, residents came together and had an 'a-ha' moment, recognizing a need for change and also having a passion and desire to see something better for the youth of Frazee and our city. It quickly turned into an important community project, led by Essentia Health, that included collaborating with people from all sectors of society in and around Frazee. West Central Initiative supported funding to host listening sessions in Frazee, Wolf Lake, and Vergas where more than 100 people were engaged and it became apparent youth wellbeing was a very high priority on a lot of resident's minds. More than 50 youth participated in listening sessions as well and when asked why the rates of depression were high they shared common themes.
|
Here's what we heard:
When asked what would need to change, they identified that having a safe space with good food, where they could hang out with friends, do cool activities, have jobs and be with people that care was the perfect solution.
A steering committee developed the organization and has been busy planning and implementing solutions to respond to their vision ever since.
|
Students from Frazee's National Honor Society help with demolition
|
One gathering for the listening session of Frazee area residents
|
A youth steering committee develops "Summer Survivor"
|
The Solution
We won't lie. Many endeavors like this start up with good intentions, but are not thought through effectively, and end up failing. They don't have a sustainable business plan, sources of dependable income, or the correct staffing and volunteers to accomplish the dream.
Financial sustainability was a key component of our planning and so the committee developed a vision based on needs identified in the Frazee Comprehensive plan that aligned. By implementing a coffee and crepe bistro, retail and gift, makerspace, performing arts and space rental model the facility will be sustainable. While we don't have every detail figured out to a 'T', we do have very important things in place: a governing board made of hard working individuals from different spheres of society (teachers, local government, non-profit experts, social workers, faith community), a sustainable and investigated business plan, ongoing income sources, and recent hiring of qualified individuals to build the organization.
Our initial 'ask' is big, and we have a solid financial plan. Having said all of this, we believe in our community and our youth, and we believe in this dream. We truly hope you will join us by supporting this financially and in other ways.
Financial sustainability was a key component of our planning and so the committee developed a vision based on needs identified in the Frazee Comprehensive plan that aligned. By implementing a coffee and crepe bistro, retail and gift, makerspace, performing arts and space rental model the facility will be sustainable. While we don't have every detail figured out to a 'T', we do have very important things in place: a governing board made of hard working individuals from different spheres of society (teachers, local government, non-profit experts, social workers, faith community), a sustainable and investigated business plan, ongoing income sources, and recent hiring of qualified individuals to build the organization.
Our initial 'ask' is big, and we have a solid financial plan. Having said all of this, we believe in our community and our youth, and we believe in this dream. We truly hope you will join us by supporting this financially and in other ways.