By Greta Foss

Summer Intern

CornerStone Community, Youth and Family Resource Center is undergoing some new changes. Construction to the basement of the center will be ongoing until this December. Ever since they became a family resource center about a year and a half ago, CornerStone has had to adjust to meet the influx of new challenges that came with the new responsibilities, one of these challenges being space. 

“We’re having to work with people, with the other agencies in Detroit Lakes or Perham, and so when they’ve come over to meet with their clients, there’s no privacy space. I have one little, tiny office downstairs, and it just sometimes didn’t work to have a meeting in there,” said Executive Director Mackenzie Hamm.

Once the construction is completed, there will be multiple offices in which people may have private meetings or calls. There will also be computers in these offices designated for people to use if they need a place for telehealth meetings. 

They are also making more space to help better serve people’s wants and needs. They are planning to partner with a dental health clinic that will provide free cleanings and dental support for the youth of the community. They are improving the Youth Center by redoing most of the space and adding more amenities. They are adding in a shower along with the already existing washer and dryer unit so that people are able to have access to a space where they can refresh if need be. They will also be adding a toy lending program where families can either check out and take home toys and games or play with them at the center. 

They will continue to have a kitchenette space for people to use to help diminish the food insecurity that some may face. They have been assisting with food service for a while now, and this change will help to broaden their ability to help. They are still providing food for the community during construction, as the school is not providing a summer free lunch program.

CornerStone was also one of four benefactors of a total of $228,000 available from the county’s third installment of the Opioid Settlement Funds. The awarding of the requested amount of $41,000 was announced three weeks ago.

Funds from the settlement will also help strengthen navigation efforts with different agencies and  a coordinated prevention initiative, including a public awareness campaign, and expanding partnerships across Becker County. It expects to serve 5,320 people.