Cornerstone Assistance Network of North Central Texas is a faith-based nonprofit committed to helping local neighbors in need. Established in 2010 in northern Collin County, the organization works to provide temporary financial assistance, job assistance, mentoring, coaching, and budget accountability to help neighbors affect lifelong changes. Cornerstone NCT relies on partnerships with churches, businesses, and other nonprofits to provide neighbors with short-term assistance and long-term guidance.
In 2023, Cornerstone North Central Texas impacted 1,691 local neighbors. That number includes over $160,000 given in direct financial assistance to families experiencing hardship due to challenges like job loss, health complications, and even generational poverty. With the explosion of growth in the Prosper, Celina, and Gunter area, more and more people need financial assistance. The assistance program meets monthly with our families, offering mentorship while working to provide training for sustainable living. Cornerstone NCT works closely with other local nonprofits such as Gracebridge, Prosper Ladies Association, and Lovepacs Prosper Celina Gunter to ensure families are receiving the specific items they need, including food for every day or over school breaks. Additionally, academic counselors from Prosper, Celina, and Gunter Independent School Districts refer students in need to Cornerstone NCT programs. Cornerstone NCT provides back-to-school assistance in July and serves about 350 kids every year. With this program, the kids get their exact school supplies, backpacks, name brand tennis shoes, and spirit wear, and they pick it up at a carnival we throw just for these families.
Cornerstone Christmas
Three hundred and fifty children, which represented 180 families, were served by Cornerstone Christmas in 2023. Toy drives supported by the community collect new items for the event’s gift “store”. Hosted at Hope Fellowship Prosper Campus, volunteers set up the store sectioned by price point. Parents and guardians enjoy the opportunity to choose gifts tailored for their child. Each child receives four new gifts varying in value from $15 to $60 each, a stocking full of trinkets, a new warm hoodie, and food for the 2-week break from school. The gifts are wrapped festively by volunteers and are ready to be placed under the Christmas tree available for participant families.
The increase in participants for Cornerstone Christmas requires great support from different channels. Community members can host a toy or hoodie drive, invest as an event sponsor, volunteer their time, and financially support Cornerstone Christmas or any of Cornerstone NCT’s annual programs.
Partner to Host a Drive or Shop for Gifts
Your group or business can register to host a drive for Cornerstone Christmas items. Register to collect any or all the following items:
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Toys (6 years old & up)
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Stocking Stuffers
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Hoodies
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Gift Wrapping Essentials
Sponsorship Options
Community members can help support Cornerstone Christmas by investing as an official event sponsor. Beginning at only $100, sponsors can direct their financial gift towards Bibles for families, family Christmas trees, or food for the family during the holiday break. There are options for every budget and sponsors receive spotlights on event advertising and the access to priority volunteer registration. For more information, contact Founder and Executive Director Jen Lutes at jen@cornerstonenct.org.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are always needed at Cornerstone NCT events. Cornerstone NCT needs the assistance of 700 volunteers in the process of gathering and organizing donations, preparing Hope Fellowship Prosper for the event, assisting parents and guardians in the shopping process, gift wrapping, and clean-up. For Cornerstone Christmas, volunteers should be at least 13 years old accompanied by an adult.
Investing Your Money in Neighbors
Your financial gift to Cornerstone NCT buys essentials and provides opportunities to improve the lives of your Neighbors. Your recurring monthly gift makes a big impact:
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$10 ($120/year) can keep a water bill on for a neighbor
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$20 ($240/year) pays for one family’s internet bill so they can continue working from home and/or look for work
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$50 ($600/year) provides 6 backpacks with school supplies
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$100 ($1,200/year) pays 5 water/gas bills, or provides 12 kids Christmas gifts
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$200 ($2,400/year) pays 10 water/gas bills, or provides 50 kids tennis shoes at the Back-to-School Event
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$500 ($6,000/year) pays a year’s worth of electric & internet bills
Other Cornerstone NCT Annual Events
Cornerstone NCT diligently works to connect neighbors with resources. This is facilitated by events throughout the year, and the community is invited to participate, support, and volunteer to make each a success.
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Easter - “Egg My Yard”
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Annual Comedy Night - The funds raised support vital programs like Case Management, Back-To-School Bash, Cornerstone Christmas, and aiding families facing unexpected challenges.
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Back-to-School Bash- registered students receive school-specific supplies, a fresh backpack, and a pair of snazzy new sneakers.
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Golf Classic - This highly anticipated sporting event for both men and women has been bringing golfers together for a good cause since 2010. The name of the game during this lighthearted tournament is not only to win but to raise funds for the projects and programs that benefit our local neighbors in need.
Cornerstone NCT Christmas
December 14, 2024
Hope Fellowship Prosper campus.
For more information regarding donations and volunteering, visit CornerstoneNCT.org