Imagine a place where low-income, hardworking families can turn – day in, day out – for quality education and childcare, without worrying about whether they earn enough to afford it.
Through the years, hundreds of local families have found such a place in Cornerstone Center, whose highly regarded early childhood education and childcare programs impact the lives of more than 200 children and their families every year.
In 1969, a group of churches in South St. Louis saw a need for income-based childcare for the families they served. Together, they established Helping Hands Day Care Center, which became the first early childhood center in St. Louis to receive accreditation.
What began as day care for the neighborhood eventually evolved into Cornerstone Center for Early Learning in 1993, officially changing its name to reflect the organization’s expansion into early childhood education. In 1995, the center moved to its current campus in the Shaw neighborhood at 3901 Russell Blvd. Operating on a need-based tuition assistance program, Cornerstone’s capacity grew to include admission for infants and toddlers, and now provides year-round education and care Monday through Friday for children 6 weeks to 5 years old.
In addition, every child receives two meals and a snack every day, along with essentials such as diapers, infant formula, food, clothes, toys, books and other donated items, if needed. Cornerstone also provides health screenings, free on-site therapy to assist with speech, physical and occupational development and more.
In all, Cornerstone impacts more than 180 families in the community. The families come from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds, with almost half of the households earning an annual income of less than $20,000. Most of the families served live in St. Louis City, with other families from St. Louis County, St. Charles County and the Metro East.
Despite its growth, the center has remained true to its mission of making sure families can count on Cornerstone to provide them with quality, comprehensive, affordable childcare and preschool education in a nurturing environment, regardless of income.
One of the ways Cornerstone achieves its mission is through fundraising and its biggest event of the year takes place this fall: The 28th annual Celebration for Children is a festive outdoor gathering where guests have the opportunity to “sip, snack and stroll” through the Cornerstone campus. The event on Saturday, Oct. 1, is from 5 to 8:30 p.m., and features sampling from food and drink stations such as Crispy Edge, McGurk’s, Steve’s Hotdogs, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Gourmet Soul, Ices Plain & Fancy, 2nd Shift Brewing and Alpha Brewing Company. A live auction and other immersive experiences are also planned, as well as a program to recognize three dedicated Cornerstone educators, who have a combined 80-plus years of service.
Among those being honored is Debra Clark, who taught at Cornerstone for 41 years until her retirement in 2021. Clark spent the last two decades in the “Teddy Bears” room, helping 2-year-olds to develop social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills. She recently spoke with Gazelle about what the recognition means for her.
GAZELLE: What makes Cornerstone a special place for you?
CLARK: My journey started in 1980, fresh out of school, and the founder, Wanda Diedriech, gave me a chance to become a teacher at Helping Hands (now Cornerstone). Working with the children has always been my dream job. Cornerstone has allowed me to work out my gifts of compassion, respect, love and guidance for the children and their future. I was there when it was the first accredited daycare in St. Louis. It wasn’t too long before the Cornerstone community began to feel like family, my home away from home.
GAZELLE: You have a unique vantage point when it comes witnessing Cornerstone’s growth. What do you think has been key to the center’s success over the years?
CLARK: We have experienced success due to our excellent leadership staff and our committed teachers … the fact that we embrace diversity with open arms and understand we are the foundation for the children to build on. That equality and supportiveness is top on our list for our families and staff. Our job didn’t stop because we clock out for the day. Many times, we are receiving phone calls from parents when we’re at home. We have always strived to have a positive connection with all the families.
GAZELLE: Can you give an example or two from your own experience that shows the impact Cornerstone has on the children and their families?
CLARK: Cornerstone has always embraced a family-like atmosphere for all. Everything you can imagine we do: From bathing a child who might need a little extra attention to washing their clothes. A lot of times, our own money is spent to bless a child in need. Teachers and staff have picked up and taken children home. We have kept children in our home for parents. Also, our leadership staff works with the parents to set up and schedule events like the Healthy Kids Bus that does health checks on the children. We also host a kindergarten fair to help parents make decisions for their children after leaving Cornerstone. The list goes on and on … Cornerstone is consistently improving and growing for our families.
GAZELLE: Do you ever reconnect with your former pupils?
CLARK: Staying connected is always a joyous occasion for me. Some of the parents, we still stay in touch and they send me photos of fun and milestone events in their life.
GAZELLE: What does this recognition mean to you?
CLARK: I am beyond grateful and honored to be recognized for something I truly loved. I made it my lifelong mission to share myself and be the best I could be for the children and families. Imagine waking up each morning excited and anticipating what great experience or moment I would have with my Cornerstone family! Even though I’m no longer there physically, my heart will always be there.
Along with Clark, longtime preschool teacher Vanessa Anthony and Teddy Bears teacher Doris Leachman will also be recognized.
“What makes Cornerstone a special place for me are the children and their colorful personalities; their honesty and ability to put a smile on your face, make you laugh out loud and do silly things,” said Anthony, who will be retiring this year after 23 years of service. “This brings joy to a teacher, and joy is what I’ve received from the children at Cornerstone.”
Leachman, who taught alongside Clark in the Teddy Bears program, retired this spring. Her journey with Cornerstone began in 2002.
“Years ago, I was walking past Cornerstone and knew it was the place I wanted to work,” Leachman said. “I put my hands on the building and I prayed that I would get to work there. I did, for 20 years, and I loved it.”
HOW YOU CAN HELP: The 28th annual Celebration for Children takes place on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The outdoor, interactive, adults-only “sip, snack and stroll” event through the Cornerstone campus includes sampling from food and drink stations, a live auction and more. Tickets and sponsorships are now available, with proceeds to benefit Cornerstone Center’s accredited, award-winning early childhood programs, as well as help provide meals, diapers, clothing and other essentials for the children. For more information, visit the organization’s official event page.
Gazelle is a proud media sponsor of Cornerstone Center for Early Learning’s 28th annual Celebration for Children.
