CEO UPDATE

I hope that this message finds you and your loved ones healthy and safe during these uncertain times. 2020 has been a year of unprecedented crisis, but through it all, thanks to you, we are continuing to serve the community. I would like to take a moment to update you on the status of our programs.

Thankfully, our doors are open at the Morristown Neighborhood House! Of course, we are following all safety protocols and limiting the number of children and staff members in our building.

For over 200 years, we have been a beacon of hope for our community and, as the pandemic magnifies existing challenges, re-opening gives our families renewed hope for the future. They can return to work knowing that, in our preschool and afterschool programs, their children are safe and receive healthy meals and snacks; reducing the strain on already stretched budgets. Our teachers, technology, and support can mitigate the disproportionate negative impact that school closures and remote learning may have on our children. The huge smiles on the faces of our children (behind their masks) are proof of how happy they are to be back with their friends and much-loved teachers.

Our teen programs are operational and growing, providing much-needed financial and social-emotional support for our teens and young adults. They are working in our preschool and afterschool programs and completing college prep and workshops virtually.

We are collaborating with community partners to provide food to our families through free-lunch Fridays and food donations, and are part of a coalition providing rent relief to keep families housed. We are an integral part of our community, ensuring that families have their basic needs met, find medical support, and receive critical information during the pandemic.

Other programs have pivoted because of the pandemic, but continue to be a critical resource:

The Adult Day Centers are closed right now for in-person care, but we know that loneliness is a significant predictor of poor health in seniors. We are continuing to do welfare checks on our seniors, provide virtual activities, and food when needed, and support our caregivers who are facing ever increasing stress in this climate.

We have transitioned our Operation Sisterhood program for female veterans to virtual meetings, to ensure our female veterans continue to be supported in these difficult times.

I am very proud of all that we have been able to accomplish, but our challenges grow every day. Government funding is declining. We have been forced to change or cancel major fundraising events, and the costs of maintaining a healthy and safe in-person environment have skyrocketed. Your support can assist us in closing this gap and we are truly grateful.

In times of crisis families pull together. We are honored to have you as part of our family as we continue to weather this crisis. Thank you for being our heroes.

Warmest Regards,

Patrice Picard

Click the button below to donate online, just make sure to put “2020 End-of-Year Giving” in the “Order Notes” section under Additional Information.

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Please make check payable to Cornerstone Family Programs with “2020 End-of-Year Giving” in the memo to:

Cornerstone Family Programs, 80 Washington Street, Morristown, NJ 07960

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