Victoria Francis

Cornerstone is here for the almost 1000 women who are homeless or are at risk of being homeless in our nation’s capital, each and every year. These women find themselves in the most vulnerable and dangerous situations, for any number of reasons. We have an emergency shelter and soon to be 4 supportive housing homes. Women become homeless for many reasons. Elise tried living with her sister and her family, but serious mental health challenges made it too hard to sustain. Shonda is working full-time, but her income isn’t enough to pay rent on her one-bedroom apartment. Emma lost her home fleeing an abusive boyfriend, who changed the locks when she worked up the courage to leave him. Yana is new to the country, with no support system in place to lean on through the transition. Every Cornerstone women has her own story. Each has struggled to survive. Without Cornerstone, these women can become caught in the vicious cycle of poverty, trauma, and danger on the streets of Ottawa. We’re there to help women break that cycle, as they move out of crisis and instability to take back their own futures. One night in a hospital costs more than $1,000. One night in jail costs about $500. Supportive housing at Cornerstone costs much less – between $19 and $115 a day – all while enabling a woman to use her skills and energy for sustainable work, emotional healing, and independent living. As a woman begins to stabilize her life at Cornerstone, something incredible happens – she becomes a powerful contributor to her own community. Cornerstone residents, both past and present, become volunteers who support our community’s vulnerable groups. They return to school and receive training, becoming valuable employees. They transition away from expensive emergency services. They are no longer just receiving. They are giving back. Together, we help women move beyond the experience of homelessness to hope, healing and home.