Wednesday night, the Landmarks Association of St. Louis presented Cornerstone (and several others) with “Most Enhanced” awards for rehab projects of significance in St. Louis in the past year.

Turns out the architect of our humble brick two-family, now three-family, was a somebody: Harry Clymer, one of the foremost architects of St. Louis in his time. The house was built in 1909!

Our project, which used the sweat equity of many volunteers and cash from a variety of donors, was pretty different from the others getting the award. We were thrilled that a key volunteer and member of our Building Committee for the duration of the project, Jeff Lutjens, was able to accept the award for us, and was present along with others who spent many Saturdays working on it.

Check it out! Ours is the one listed in the 5900 block of Etzel. http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/photo-galleries/2013/05/16/landmarks-association-unveils-most-enhanced-awards-for-2013/#photo-291142

From a Wall Street Journal article May 7: “HUD reported in February that a record 8.5 million low-income households without government housing assistance either paid more than half their monthly income in rent, lived in ‘severely substandard housing’ — or both in 2011. That was up from 7.1 million such families in 2009.”

The front-page article focused on waiting lists. “We’ve got these waiting lists that in some cases you practically get through a generation before you get a shot at a unit,” the article quoted the executive director of the City of Milwaukee Housing Authority as saying.

I also have in mind that in many cases, government-subsidized housing may not be well maintained. Whether that’s true or not these days, I am not sure.

In any case, there’s definitely a need for Cornerstone. Cornerstone doesn’t advertise when it has a vacancy in one of its 38 units, but word of mouth typically takes only a week or two before someone shows up to fill the vacancy. Many of our tenants say they are grateful for the chance at financial stability while paying lower rents at Cornerstone. — Phyllis Wheeler, board member

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dickdavid/5900910278/

As the rehabilitation of our latest property, which we have nicknamed “Stone of Hope”, was winding down to completion, my focus had been so consumed by details that I did not take adequate time to be re-minded of the big picture.

This changed recently; for I was reminded of God’s faithfulness in an amazing way as we sat down to interview our first “shelter graduate” for one of the efficiency apartments.  All of us in the room laughed and almost cried as “T” shared with us much of her life story.  Again and again she joked that she was so happy about having her own place that she couldn’t stop smiling.

After we finished signing the lease, we walked down to the apartment; again, it was like watching a child in a candy store–she was bubbling over with excitement.  The humbling thing of it all was that there was such a genuine appreciation on her part for all of those who had helped make this dream of hers a reality.  In a culture that pushes consumerism I was moved by “T’s” simplicity: she just wanted a roof over her head, and all of the other details were secondary.

In our interview with her, there was mutual encouragement for all of us in the room as we shared about God’s goodness and wonderful deeds throughout the whole process of restoring the Stone of Hope and providing in every way.  I chuckled, thinking back two years ago when we had no idea where the majority of the funds were going to come from, and here we stand today with the building complete!  There was concern over finding volunteers, getting donations, finding the right tenants, getting the work done by the time the Grace and Peace Shelter closed, and the Lord met us in every one of those places and more.

In fact, the day we interviewed “T” was the day the Grace and Peace shelter closed.  May we praise His name!  I was also humbled to think of the number of individuals who have sacrificed greatly and in order to make this entire thing happen.  From financial support to donations of time or supplies, to praying for the process and the women who would be moving in–every piece was crucial.  I was able to look “T” in the eyes as I told her that a huge number of individuals and churches not only helped complete this building but have also been praying for her and the other tenant for over two years!  How cool is that?!

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.  I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.  Psalm 9:1-2

From our newest newsletter

Companion article: http://www.cornerstone-housing-ministry.org/two-homeless-women-can-call-it-home/

It’s trite, but true: spring is all about “new,” especially in Eastertide, when we celebrate new life for the believer made possible, by Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

Moreover, the word “new” figures prominently in the New Testament; verses like John 13:34, Mark 14:24, and 2 Cor. 5:17 might come to mind. Many more verses could be adduced, but the one with special significance for the Cornerstone Corporation during Eastertide 2013 is the oft-quoted Revelation 21:5: “Behold, I make all things new.”

For, thanks to God’s grace manifested in the generosity of donors like you, we have been able to complete the two efficiency apartments in our newest building. We have, therefore, been able to meet the goal we set in partnership with the Grace and Peace Winter Women’s Shelter: to have these units available as transitional housing for two ‘alumnae’ of the GPWWS to move into once the Shelter had closed for the season.

Thanks be to God! We have, in our own small way, “made all things new” in the first floor of this building, turning derelict space into two functional and pleasant efficiency apartments. Two women, who were only a month ago homeless, call these units ‘home.’ For them, this really will be a season of wonderfully new beginnings.

This is what Cornerstone is all about: providing quality housing for those on the economic fringe. In so doing we aim to follow Jesus’ admonition, recorded by John: “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another.” For two women served this season by the GPWWS, this love takes the very visible shape of a place to call their own until they are ready to move forward.

On the island of Patmos, John was vouchsafed a vision of “a new heaven and a new earth.” Until that blessed day comes when all believers will see what John glimpsed, we celebrate new life in Jesus at Easter. At the Cornerstone Corporation, we also celebrate God’s goodness in motivating so many to donate funds or labor for the rehabilitation of our newest unit. So let us end with the heartiest “THANK YOU” possible for joining us in being “restorers of houses in ruin”!

From our newest newsletter

Companion article: http://www.cornerstone-housing-ministry.org/praising-god/

Cornerstone’s current project, intended to house two graduates of the Grace and Peace Winter Shelter starting in March, is teetering on the brink of having enough money to make that schedule work.

With a recent pledge from St. Michael’s Houses, affiliated with the Church of St. Michael and St. George, we’re within $12,000 of our $150,000 need for the project (which includes not only the two tiny apartments for the shelter ladies, but also an apartment for a family upstairs, already occupied).  A lot of work has gone into it; it’s looking good! But the downstairs isn’t finished.

Celebrate this good news with us, and pray for the needed money to get this project over the top!

(To donate, go to http://www.cornerstone-housing-ministry.org/donations/)

New City Fellowship – St. Louis 20th Anniversary Video from Paul Heirendt on Vimeo.

Thank you, everyone, for participating!

We’ll follow up on Facebook and Twitter to get winner addresses.

1st Prize- 18lbs of Starbucks Tribute Blend whole bean coffee
2nd Prize- 12lbs of Starbucks Tribute Blend whole bean coffee
3rd Prize- 12lbs of Starbucks Tribute Blend whole bean coffee

How?
Promote Cornerstone on Facebook and Twitter and/or post on this blog to get points. There will be three winners at the end of the two week competition. The competition starts on Monday, May 14 at 5:00PM CST and ends on Monday, May 28 at 5:00PM CST

Entering for 2nd or 3rd Prize (12lbs of Starbucks Tribute Blend) is easy. Simply, “like” Cornerstone’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/CornerstoneHousingMinistry) AND sign up to follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/CstoneCorp). That’s it. If you are already “like” our Facebook page then all you have left to do is sign up to follow us on Twitter. On Monday, May 28 at 3:00PM Cornerstone will select two winners by holding a random drawing for everyone that has completed these two steps.

For anyone daring enough to try for the 1st Place Prize (18lbs of Starbucks Tribute Blend), the individual will have to accumulate the most points by Monday, May 28 at 5:00PM CST.

Here’s how to acquire points:
1.) Sign up to follow our blog. (Four points). You must leave a comment on this post to let us know you have signed up.
2.) Whether or not you are already a follower, comment on any of our blog posts, a maximum of three posts. (Four points each).
3.) Post a link to this message in your blog, on Twitter, or on Facebook. (Four points per post or tweet). Please comment to this post with a link to the site (blog or Facebook) where you posted about this contest and on Twitter, add the hashtag #CornerstoneSTL.
4. “Like” our Facebook page and/or follow us on Twitter: four points for each. Comment back on this blog post to let us know you did these.
5) Referrals: get four points for every friend of yours who likes our Facebook page and also comments, giving your name as referral. Same for Twitter: following and Tweeting us with your name as referral.

If there is a tie for the 1st Prize, Cornerstone will carry out a random drawing to select the winner. No current employee of Cornerstone Corporation, current Board Member, or family member of either of these groups will be eligible for this competition. Commenting on this blog post will construed as accepting the conditions of the contest. The competition is limited residents of the United States. Entries must appear to be made in good faith with friendly intent; apparent spammers will be excluded at Cornerstone’s sole discretion.

Photo credit: http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-114398989

• The Longbrake Foundation, coming alongside us in our quest to provide quality affordable housing in this corner of St. Louis
• Our new adopt-a-building program for churches
• The latest on our new project

Things are happening at Cornerstone!