Providing Family Foster Care Through the Local Church
Mission
Cornerstone Family Services is a non-profit 501c3 corporation which provides family foster care through the local church. We are a Christian Ministry to children and families who suffer the harmful affects of abuse, neglect and abandonment. We exist to mobilize and equip the local church in a biblical response to the call to care for the needs of children.
How We Do It
The Cornerstone Family Services (CFS) Community of Care service delivery model was designed with one purpose in mind: To provide an unparalleled level of service and support to our foster families. Foster Families make a profound difference in how foster children are cared for and loved. They are truly changing lives and destinies. They make signifi cant sacrifi ces, both individually and as families, in responding to God’s call to care for “the least, the last, and the lost”, our children. It is a fundamental tenet of the CFS strategy to encourage and support our foster families in their efforts to give foster children a loving and nurturing home filled with God’s love.
This is accomplished by surrounding a foster family with a “Community of Care,” consisting of services provided by volunteers through a local church. A caring small group support system is established which is designed to address the dynamics of caring for foster children.
Strategy and What We Do
Our strategy is to serve the local church and Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) professionals county-by-county and community-by-community, by developing local resources based on the needs of local families and children. Motivated by Christian compassion, we partner with local churches to build a network of compassionate support for the children and families in need of professional social services.
Our Financial Model
The ability of Cornerstone Family Services to fund successful programs and expand throughout Georgia, depends on the generous support of individuals, civic and religious groups, foundation donors, and corporate sponsors. Even though CFS receives some funding from the State of Georgia, the amount falls far short of the total needed to support ongoing operations, and it is certainly not suffi cient to support the growth of CFS throughout the State of Georgia. Therefore, in addition to a dedicated group of contributors, we must conduct events such as the CFS Charity Golf Classic to raise additional operating and capital funds. We invite you to join us as we work to change the lives and destinies of Georgia’s foster children.
Our Success
Since before our licensing in June 2007, Cornerstone Family Services has provided support services to foster families and numerous DFCS offi ces. To demonstrate our success and the tremendous need, we present the following statistics:
Over 15 new foster families fully trained and hosting children in their homes
Six sibling groups placed together in CFS homes
More than 30 foster children served
Over 200 additional children referred to Cornerstone by DFCS, for which we did not have available homes
12 children returned to their homes or to stable extended families
Three sponsoring churches
Designated as “preferred provider” by local County DFCS
Spiritual Treasures
Even though fostering can have its challenges, the rewards are enormous and lasting, for both the foster child and the family. Here is a quote from one Cornerstone Family Services foster mother that represents the many Spiritual Treasures that come from fostering:
“We cared for and loved Julia, a beautiful, happy five month old, for ten weeks. The joy received from having her as part of our family far exceeded the sacrifices required. We sent her back home with hope and optimism, knowing we’d given her and her family a chance for a better future.”
