Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Cornerstone Center for Early Learning
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 3901 Russell Boulevard
City: St Louis
State: MO
Postal Code: 63110
Main Phone: 3148655244
Main Fax: 3148650482
Organization Website: https://www.cornerstonecenterstl.org/
Employer ID Number: 43-0923158
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/27/2024
Requested Amount: $5,700

Project Title: Therapeutic Tools to Help Children Reach Their Full Potential
Project Description:

Cornerstone Center for Early Learning, like The Hermanowski Family Foundation, “improves and transforms the lives of children”. Cornerstone prioritizes economically vulnerable children and their families with an award-winning early childhood education program including wraparound services for the entire family. More than half of Cornerstone children come from households eligible to receive childcare assistance, paying $25 or less per week. While children safely attend Cornerstone, their families are able to focus on employment and higher education opportunities, enabling them to improve their standard of living.

Cornerstone has long ensured that children who are struggling with developmental delays receive the free therapy support they need on-site during hours of care so that no child misses the opportunity to reach their full potential due to financial, time, or transportation constraints. Occupational, Physical, and Speech therapists visit Cornerstone every week to provide individual sessions for over 20% of our children who benefit from these services.

Since the onset of the pandemic, Cornerstone has seen an elevated number of our children struggling with behavioral challenges including anxiety, outbursts, and aggression. Out of necessity, Cornerstone recently began a relationship with Bud to Bloom Play Therapy, a celebrated program that helps to nurture the social and emotional well-being of children, addressing and overcoming challenging behaviors often rooted in trauma. This approach follows the belief that children are inherently moving toward positive growth, and need space and a safe person to do it. This type of therapy promotes self-esteem, self-direction, self-trust and regulation.

The project for which we seek your consideration is to help Cornerstone continue to provide play therapy for our children in 2025, ensuring that every child has access and can receive the interventions needed to improve social-emotional regulation before entering the school system.

Total Project Budget: $57,120

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): This is a new program and there are currently no grant funders associated with it. As this was an unexpected but necessary expense not budgeted for in 2024, unrestricted monies generated through fundraising and earned revenue are being utilized. Bud to Bloom Play Therapy has committed to being the service provider for this program.

Project Duration: Jan 1, 2025-Dec 31, 2025
Geographical Area Served: St. Louis City and the Greater St. Louis Area
Age Group To Be Served: Early Childhood (6 weeks to kindergarten entry)

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Dani
Contact Last Name: Smith
Contact Title: Development Director
Contact Phone: (314) 865-5244 Ext. 134
Contact Email: dsmith@cornerstonecenterstl.org