By Casey Neill
Cornerstone is calling for community help to fund its move to a new home.
The Journal revealed in December that the Dandenong outreach centre’s 25-year home at Walker and Mason streets was up for sale.
The Rado family owns the converted church and provided the site rent free for 25 years.
Cornerstone Contact Centre CEO Stephen Barrington said the Rado family’s support had allowed the service to grow from a hunch and a dream to a home for people who were experiencing hardship.
“We all need somewhere to call home,” he said.
“Through providing a meal or food parcel, a safe place to meet, a place to belong, social connection, a positive environment, good friends or a listening ear, Cornerstone continues to be a home to many of the people who come through our doors each year.
“They may have experienced relationship breakdown, mental health issues, unemployment, they may have come from overseas where they faced trials such as war and famine in their homeland, or any number of other complexities.”
Cornerstone is running a There’s No Place Like Home campaign to raise about $75,000 to cover rent at a new premises.
Service users, volunteers and others have shared what Cornerstone means to them, from relationships and hope to listening, respect and volunteers.
“We’re nearly halfway,” Mr Barrington said.
“But we’re not in a position to get a lease until we’re well and truly on the way.
“We’d be interested in chatting to anyone – businesses particularly – about coming on board.
“We’d like to have a whole range of community partners on board.
“We have been applying for grants and trusts and are engaged in many conversations.”
Cornerstone’s exit date has been extended from April to late May.
It will host a farewell afternoon tea from 2pm to 3.30pm on Friday 19 May.
RSVP for the farewell to admin@cornerstonecentre.com.au or 0481 186 323 by Friday 12 May.
Visit www.cornerstonecentre.com.au/index.php/you-can-help to get involved.
