Cornerstone Assistance Network

This weekend the PGA Tour is coming to Ft. Worth as the Colonial hosts the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial. Once again, Cornerstone is partnering with Birdies For Charity & the Invitational to raise money for programs to benefit those in need! By using Cornerstone’s Birdies for Charities link [https://events.r2it.com/birdies/r.aspx?site=CrownePlazaInvitational&charity=CornerstoneAssistanceNetwork], you can help by making either a flat donation or a per-birdie pledge.

“When my youngest son was 5 years old, he loved buying me rings from the machines at K-mart or using his tickets from Chuck-E-Cheese. Naturally, they would turn my finger green within a few hours, so I didn’t wear them often.  When he began to ask why, I told him there were too many to choose from.  ‘Well, just wear them all!’ was his reply. Thus started the ‘Matt-Matt’ necklace.  I found a silver chain and put all of the rings on them.  The rule was: Mom would wear the ring the day it was given, and then it was put on the ‘Matt-Matt’ necklace.  This necklace was worn on days when I wasn’t at home to remind me I could be playing with my son.  I’ve been wearing the Matt-Matt necklace for almost 15 years.  Now, I wear it on those days when I want to be reminded to pray for my sons (Matt and Tim) because of a particular decision they are needing to make, or other times when they might need some focused mommy-prayers.  Brings back lots of sweet memories and helps keep my boys close to my heart.”

Denice Crawford

Mr. S came into the store with a food and clothing voucher. He was looking for a coat and was seeing some things he liked, but they were not in his size. He decided on one and said this will be good, but I knew he didn’t love it. A single box had come in and I sifted through the coats at a last and not hopeful effort. I found a black leather, name brand, and the right size coat. I showed it to him and he got so excited and gave me a big hug. I remarked how God is good and he said, but you found it. Then I pointed back to how God used me. I’ve seen God’s love blessing people with even the smallest desires. I’m not saying we have to love what we get, but when we do love it, giving Him the credit gives him glory and reminds us of the love He has for us. Thanks God!

Mrs. F came into the store with a food and clothing voucher. She was with two other ladies from our re-entry program. As she was shopping she asked me if her and her friends could use part of their voucher to help a friend of theirs with a few clothes. At first I was hesitant because I do have rules for the vouchers that I follow. As I listened to these ladies talk about their friend, the love and concern they had for her was overwhelming.  They themselves were in need, but were willing to sacrifice part of their blessing to bless someone else.  The ladies were so grateful and I got to see some of God’s love that day (love…it is not self seeking…Corinthians 13) Thanks God!

Mrs.S came into the store with a food and clothing voucher. We talked about her starting a new job in marketing. She seemed so excited about getting a chance to do something she is good at. She got some really cute work outfits and was so grateful.  She told me she didn’t know a place like cornerstone existed until someone through her church told her. We talked about what a blessing Cornerstone is. Thanks God!

I am truly amazed by the lessons God teaches us as we minister to his children. This week I got a lesson in the faith HE requires of us…the obedience HE wants us all to have.  I was blessed to serve a man who had brought his family from Puerto Rico to Ft Worth to become a minister. He came here answering Christ’s call to the ministry with “no coins in his purse and only the clothes on his back”.  We were able to help him with food and clothing for his family. We, also, connected him with other community resources for the needs we did not meet directly. It was truly a group effort that several of our staff members contributed to. 

Being in your mid 50s and living in your son’s truck is not how most of us picture ourselves. Our hearts broke for a woman we met with this month who is in this situation. We thank God we could give her a Bible, pray with her, and give her a devotional booklet. In addition to warming her soul, we also gave her a blanket and a warm coat. She left feeling more hope for the future than when she came in our doors.

Where do you turn when you’re 60 and are suddenly left alone with no job and no way to take care of yourself? As we know, the answer to all such questions is God.  We were blessed to have been God’s hands and feet in helping the Lord serve such a woman. She needed a little food and was shy about asking and also needed information on programs to help her find a job. We were able to minister to her soul, pray with her, and help her feel the hope that only comes thru Christ.

ML briefly resided in our women’s transitional home The Promise House. She recently found a new job and needed clothing appropriate for work. ML was able to find a few outfits that will get her off to a good start. She stated that what truly blessed her was the conversation that she had with our Welcome center volunteer receptionist. I thank God for sending us wonderful people with a heart for sharing His love and their time!

I was blessed to witness the tireless dedication to our clients from Cindy M. and Davita M. ! Cindy went above and beyond to spend the amount of time necessary to meet various needs of her client.  When one resource fell through, Cindy quickly went on the hunt for another who could meet the client’s medical need. Davita heard about a woman recently released from prison who had no other clothing beyond what she had on. The woman was waiting at a bus stop on her way to a transitional home in another city.  Davita drove over and hand delivered the needed clothing and snacks. Cornerstone is blessed each month through the work of employees like Cindy and Davita!

KH first came into Cornerstone through our Emergency Intake department. She later moved into the Promise House and now KH is an intern in our offices! On her first day she had such a big smile as she put on her official name badge. KH told me that she no longer felt “worthless” and that her family was so proud of her. I am beyond happy to have KH here and she paints beautifully the depth of God’s grace and power.

3CP

Ms. Coles was living in her car when she applied for transitional housing.  She did not have any other housing options because of her work schedule and had to place her daughter in the home of a friend.  Her desire was to be able to cook dinner for her daughter in their own home again.  She believed God was using her situation to teach and mature her in areas that she needed to grow.  Ms. Coles was able to move into her apartment with her daughter on 2.14.12.  It was like her Valentine’s Day gift.  She is excited about being able to have a place to call home with her daughter.  She is currently attending TCC and working with plans to complete the surgical technology program in order to gain employment as a surgical technologist.                                                     

Ms. Jones desire is to be able to provide for herself and her daughter without assistance.  She has been nervous about the program ending and things having to change drastically.  At her last meeting, she had a new hope.  She said she realized that she can do what she needs to do in order to care for herself and her daughter.  Ms. Jones said that she would like to have a vehicle, but she is content with riding the bus until she is able to find a car worth her savings.  She was able to pay off debts that she owed and knows now, more than ever, that she will be able to make ends meet with God’s help.  Ms. Jones just received a promotion and is scheduled to attend manager’s training during the next session.  Although her job is not where she desires to be, she intends to be promoted as much as she can and make the best of it.  

Mr. and Mrs. Witten have had many ups and downs while in the transitional housing program.  Mr. Witten was fired from his most recent job and has been looking for another one ever since.  Mrs. Witten is continuing attending TCC with hopes of entering the Nursing Program in the fall.  They expressed their concern about being able to provide for themselves and their children after the program, but believe they will be able to turn their situation around and be able to care for themselves.  Mr. Witten is working hard to fix their transportation issues and Mrs. Witten is looking into working nearby in addition to going to school.  They have and continue to state that they will do whatever is necessary to get their family back on track.                                                             

Nearing completion of our transitional housing program a single mother of two is now officially debt free! During her time in the program she has paid off numerous loans and has now paid off her car note! It is a privilege to walk beside her in this journey towards self sufficiency.

It has been exciting to watch some of our clients apply what they have learned in money school.  Tax returns are coming in and many of our clients have already set in place an action plan for paying off debts and save for the future.

We received a report from a family who successfully completed our transitional housing program. This single mother has and is supporting her children through school. During her time in the program it has been her desire to attend college. We are rejoicing with her that she is now attending college classes and enjoying the opportunity to continue her education.

HPRP

KP was terminated from her job in late December.  Her only income from January was her son’s SSI.  Without the help of HPRP she and her two kids would be homeless.

CM had a baby in January.  It is her first child.  When she returned to work, they were giving her half of the hours that she had been working prior to her maternity leave.  This put her in a difficult place.  Without the help of HPRP, she and her new child would have been homeless.

RW lost her job because her child was sick.  They fired her right before Christmas 2011.  Without the help of HPRP she and her two kids would be homeless.

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Cindy wrote a devotional for her church’s Lent devotional.  I enjoyed it so much I asked her if it would be ok to share it with you guys. 

Matthew 14:36 (The Message) And whoever touched him was healed.

WE ARE ALL GOD’S CHILDREN

For years I worked in the downtown area of Ft Worth. I walked by the nameless faceless homeless people that scattered the streets. They blended into the scenery on my walk to and from the office. I was curious about them, but that was as far as it went. One Christmas Eve some people from our office went to the shelter with gifts. I was amazed to see all of the people living on the streets. I came to Christmas Eve services that same evening and began to wonder where Jesus would be on Christmas Eve or Easter Sunday. I could not forget the people I had seen around the shelter while I was worshiping that night. My heart was beginning to be transformed.

Now I know a little more about God’s love for mankind because I have a job that calls me to minister to the needs of the homeless. I know some of their names and some of their stories. If they ask for prayer I hold their hands and pray with them. A person’s prayer request is a picture into their soul. They have problems….but don’t we all? Some of them have fallen short of what God wants them to be…but so have I and so have you. Some of their problems are the same as ours and some are so very heartbreaking it boggles my mind. I am blessed to serve them. It has reminded me that we all are made in the image of God. We all need to feel loved and give love. We all need to be redeemed and need Christ. Regardless of our situation, homeless or not, God loves us equally.

When we help someone with the needs in their life, Christ says we are doing it for HIM as well.  Ours are the only hands and feet HE has on this earth. But when we touch the hem of HIS robe by serving others, we too are healed. We too are changed…changed into the image of Christ. We see the humanity and” the Christ “in other people and we are changed. We begin to know Christ as he truly is..full of love and mercy for all.

Prayer: Father, God thank you for your love for all of your children. Help us to truly love one another.

Talk time: God hears us when our hearts talk to HIM as well as when our lips speak to HIM.

Love talk for Lent:” Jesus loves the little children….all the children of the world” Now it’s our turn!!