Cornerstone becomes the stake for our signs

If you follow the news, listen to conversations or just observe life, you may start to wonder whether people really care about each other anymore. It’s okay to admit it. I was feeling a little frustrated the other day until I met three guys, Tim, Jesse and Chris. They’re part of a program called Cornerstone Associates. I find the name perfect since a cornerstone is where you begin to build the foundation for something new.Tim, Jesse and Chris are people with Special Abilities. In our culture we tend to label them “Disabilities” but once you meet these guys, you understand there’s nothing very disabled about them. They just think, learn or look a little different than others. We all have “Special Abilities” but some are more obvious than others.Anyway, Cornerstone is an agency in Corvallis that is amazing. Cornerstone owns businesses that provide jobs for folks like Tim, Jesse and Chris. The agency has a Bookbinding Company, a landscape maintenance business, a wood products facility, Crystal Lake Cleaning, a packaging place and bakery with a deli. (best cookies in the world). These are real businesses that give jobs and skills to people who are valuable, important parts of our community.It costs 6-thousand dollars a year for someone to be in the program. Six thousands dollars to change someone’s life. That’s the kind of investment that doesn’t seem too difficult to make.There’s something about people with Special Abilities that warms the world. I’m not sure what it is. Perhaps it’s their honesty. Maybe it’s their willingness to tell it like it is. Maybe it’s just so refreshing to have someone be so real with you that you can hardly stop smiling when you’re with them. I don’t know what it is and I don’t much care. I just know I need them in my life. It’s like a fresh spring rain washing away all the grime and telling you that the world is a pretty incredible place to be.Thanks Cornerstone.Thanks Tim, Jesse and Chris.If you’d like to find out more call 541-752-9724.