What is CornerStone?
Where are we in the building process, capital campaign, & current events:
Sept 21st 2023:
- CornerStone Community & Youth Center in Frazee, MN
In the heart of our community, a beacon of hope and empowerment stands tall. CornerStone Community & Youth Center, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to engaging our community and nurturing the potential of our youth.
CornerStone Community & Youth Center was created with the mission of partnering to develop a healthier community by providing healthy food, mentoring, physical fitness, arts, culture, and skill building in a safe and caring environment in Frazee. 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 will also have free access to a food pantry and full kitchen so no kid goes hungry at the Youth Center.
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 200 youth who have registered to attend CornerStone. We are currently open to youth right after school until 5:30pm. We follow the school hours and closures.
What is to offer in the building many people are asking!
- Lower Level: Community & Youth Center!
We encourage you to stop in to see! The lower level is complete! The real gem is the community makerspace. 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, the makerspace offers the tools and guidance you need. Moreover, it will be part of an entrepreneurial program that allows individuals to create and sell their products on the upper level, providing an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to 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!
For those seeking recreation and connection, there are games, hangout spaces, and even a 40-foot chalk wall for artistic expression. 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. We have a Policies and Procedures Manual for everyone to reference.
To clarify for those who may be wondering, we are our own 501c3. We are a separate organization from the local school but we collaborate with many youth organizations within the school. We are a believer that it takes a community to raise our youth and through CornerStone we feel that's what we will help do. We are a huge advocate for all the wonderful activities happening throughout our community with multiple organizations within this district and enjoy working alongside ALL youth to better serve our community as one! If you are part of an organization and would like to collaborate with us please reach out anytime as I'd love to help reach all youth in our community and serve them well.
CornerStone is also proud to be a place where our community can safely engage with our youth. We can connect and provide outreach opportunities for youth to volunteer and serve their community. These opportunities teach youth great skills that have been shown to help successfully guide them in the upcoming years. We are willing to meet youth where they are at and help guide them into great leaders not only for our community but for other communities local to us if they are interested in those opportunities! Our youth have volunteered countless hours by participating in community events, serving meals, cleaning up the streets, helping residents play bingo, and helping with many tasks at cornerstone!
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: Crepes & Coffee Bistro and Retail, Arts & Entertainment
The upper level is currently under construction. The kitchen & plumbing plans were approved through the state at the end of August. Our plumbers and electricians are now busy at work. The upper level of CornerStone is soon to be 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. The retail space will offer unique gifts and products, often crafted by local artisans, making it a wonderful place to shop for special occasions. 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.
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.
Where are we financially on our Capital Campaign?
We have currently raised $323,960 in donations. The church building was donated with a value of $390,000 which brings a total of $713,960 received to date. We have approximately $110,000 in outstanding pledges. With those pledges we will have received $823,960.00. Our original capital campaign goal was $870,000 but with unforeseen construction costs and delays in state licensing for kitchen and plumbing our final campaign goal is $925,000. We are excited to announce that we are in the final stages of our Capital Campaign, with the goal of raising $100,000 to complete this vital initiative. To help finish this campaign we are excited to be participating in a phone-a-thon event on Oct13th. We have received a very generous match of $30,000 from a kind-hearted individual. We will be asking businesses and individual donors to make a commitment on Oct 13th to donate any amount that will then be matched and this will help us finish our capital campaign. We would love it if you call in any time from 9 am to 4 pm on October 13th! Or any donations coming in now through the month of October will be designated for the Capital Campaign.
To give online now: https://www.cornerstonefrazee.org/give.html
- CornerStone Community & Youth Center in Frazee, MN
In the heart of our community, a beacon of hope and empowerment stands tall. CornerStone Community & Youth Center, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is dedicated to engaging our community and nurturing the potential of our youth.
CornerStone Community & Youth Center was created with the mission of partnering to develop a healthier community by providing healthy food, mentoring, physical fitness, arts, culture, and skill building in a safe and caring environment in Frazee. 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 will also have free access to a food pantry and full kitchen so no kid goes hungry at the Youth Center.
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 200 youth who have registered to attend CornerStone. We are currently open to youth right after school until 5:30pm. We follow the school hours and closures.
What is to offer in the building many people are asking!
- Lower Level: Community & Youth Center!
We encourage you to stop in to see! The lower level is complete! The real gem is the community makerspace. 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, the makerspace offers the tools and guidance you need. Moreover, it will be part of an entrepreneurial program that allows individuals to create and sell their products on the upper level, providing an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to 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!
For those seeking recreation and connection, there are games, hangout spaces, and even a 40-foot chalk wall for artistic expression. 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. We have a Policies and Procedures Manual for everyone to reference.
To clarify for those who may be wondering, we are our own 501c3. We are a separate organization from the local school but we collaborate with many youth organizations within the school. We are a believer that it takes a community to raise our youth and through CornerStone we feel that's what we will help do. We are a huge advocate for all the wonderful activities happening throughout our community with multiple organizations within this district and enjoy working alongside ALL youth to better serve our community as one! If you are part of an organization and would like to collaborate with us please reach out anytime as I'd love to help reach all youth in our community and serve them well.
CornerStone is also proud to be a place where our community can safely engage with our youth. We can connect and provide outreach opportunities for youth to volunteer and serve their community. These opportunities teach youth great skills that have been shown to help successfully guide them in the upcoming years. We are willing to meet youth where they are at and help guide them into great leaders not only for our community but for other communities local to us if they are interested in those opportunities! Our youth have volunteered countless hours by participating in community events, serving meals, cleaning up the streets, helping residents play bingo, and helping with many tasks at cornerstone!
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: Crepes & Coffee Bistro and Retail, Arts & Entertainment
The upper level is currently under construction. The kitchen & plumbing plans were approved through the state at the end of August. Our plumbers and electricians are now busy at work. The upper level of CornerStone is soon to be 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. The retail space will offer unique gifts and products, often crafted by local artisans, making it a wonderful place to shop for special occasions. 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.
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.
Where are we financially on our Capital Campaign?
We have currently raised $323,960 in donations. The church building was donated with a value of $390,000 which brings a total of $713,960 received to date. We have approximately $110,000 in outstanding pledges. With those pledges we will have received $823,960.00. Our original capital campaign goal was $870,000 but with unforeseen construction costs and delays in state licensing for kitchen and plumbing our final campaign goal is $925,000. We are excited to announce that we are in the final stages of our Capital Campaign, with the goal of raising $100,000 to complete this vital initiative. To help finish this campaign we are excited to be participating in a phone-a-thon event on Oct13th. We have received a very generous match of $30,000 from a kind-hearted individual. We will be asking businesses and individual donors to make a commitment on Oct 13th to donate any amount that will then be matched and this will help us finish our capital campaign. We would love it if you call in any time from 9 am to 4 pm on October 13th! Or any donations coming in now through the month of October will be designated for the Capital Campaign.
To give online now: https://www.cornerstonefrazee.org/give.html
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.
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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.
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Students from Frazee's National Honor Society help with demolition
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One gathering for the listening session of Frazee area residents
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A youth steering committee develops "Summer Survivor"
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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.