By Casey Neill
“This is what helps keeps me sane. I just love this place.”
Cornerstone Contact Centre regular Sandra Campbell isn’t alone.
Dozens of people gathered at the Dandenong charity on Friday 19 May to farewell its home of 25-plus years.
The Rado family has provided the converted church at Mason and Walker streets rent free – and paid the site’s rates – but announced late last year that the site was up for sale.
Steve Rado, son of Ron and Nancy, and his wife Angela attended the event.
“Our circumstances have changed,” Steve said.
“It’s been a hard decision.
“When dad died in 2001, mum made the decision to keep it running as long as possible.”
He said proceeds from the sale would go to a charitable foundation.
“It’s hard when you just manage a building,” he said.
“We don’t see the experience that we created within it.
“It was quite moving today.”
Cornerstone will move out by 30 June and is closer than ever to locking in a new home.
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams announced a $30,000 State Government grant at the afternoon tea.
“Without the people that frequent this place it wouldn’t be a home,” she said.
“You give it its warmth.
“There is just so much goodwill present within these four walls.
“It’s at the foundation of all that has happened here over the past 25 years.”
At their Monday 22 May meeting, Greater Dandenong councillors unanimously voted to provide an immediate one-off grant of $25,000 to help Cornerstone set up its new premises, and a one-off increase of its $19,000 annual funding to $30,000 for the 2017-18 year.
Ms Campbell was among many guests to tear up after hearing about the donations.
She’s been attending Cornerstone for 24 years.
“My mum started working here when I was 14,” she said.
Ms Campbell said Cornerstone provided her with hot meals while she was pregnant, shelter when she was “getting beaten up”, and help to keep her eight kids safe and fed.
“Pastor Max saved me,” she said of Cornerstone founder Max Walker.
She’s enjoyed lunches, pizza nights, pool competitions and more.
“When I needed to, this was where I came,” she said.
Cornerstone CEO Stephen Barrington said the two grants brought fund-raising efforts to $51,000, still $24,000 short of his goal.
He’s planned social enterprises including an op-shop for the new site to help Cornerstone to generate a steady stream of income.
He’s also organising a formal partnership with a training body to offer hospitality training.
“We’re excited,” he said.
Visit www.cornerstonecentre.com.au/index.php/you-can-help to make a donation.
