•  Fully funded our Student Scholarship Fund that guarantees every student a scholarship at Cornerstone.  This year, the average scholarship per student was $3,200; for our 211 students that totals over $675,000.  In addition, we provided thousands of dollars in financial aid to many students in need. 
• Fully funded the Foundations and Frameworks (F&F) reading program.  This program brings a focus on reading skills and comprehension each school day.  F&F is supported by "Reading Stars," a volunteer program supported by Philadelphia Cares that assists underperforming students in reading.
• Partially funded the computer lab.  We are excited that each student at Cornerstone receives challenging and cutting edge computer instruction.  This year, we are planning to upgrade the computers in our lab.  The total cost of the project is $19,000, and to date we have received $9,000.  We want to install the new computers before the beginning of the 2008-2009 academic year in September.
• Teacher bonuses!  The Cornerstone teaching staff dedicated themselves to 211 students this year despite low salaries.  Many of our teachers could increase their pay by moving into a public school system, but they have decided to be at Cornerstone to fulfill their call to serve in the name of Jesus.  This past Christmas, each teacher received a bonus funded through gifts from our partners.

 Funding of these programs, and many more, result in our primary aim: the success of our students.  As you saw reported in last month's update, The Cornerstone Class of 2008 are on their way to achieving their academic and lifelong dreams with the foundation they received here.  We also recently learned that over 90% of the students from the Cornerstone Class of 2004 graduated high school this year, and will attend college.  We can't put a price tag on the value of each of these students and that they are becoming leaders.  One of these students, Aaron Allen, has been chosen to attend the Presidential Inauguration in January 2009.  He is excited that not only will he meet the new President of the United States, he will also be introduced to leaders from across the nation and learn new ideas through the series of inaugural events the week prior to the commencement.  This is just one student leader who was prepared for his future at Cornerstone.  We are proud to have been a part of each of these students lives, and to partner with their parents, elders, pastors, mentors, and high school teachers.  

Submitted by Chris Petersen

This year, approximately half of them have experienced the death of close loved ones including: siblings, uncles, grandparents, and great grandparents. In most cases, the deaths were unexpected; however, in one case it was a long battle with cancer. Students have experienced custody battles, loved ones sent to Iraq, switching households from one parent to the other, and we are sure that there are other situations that were faced that we are not aware of. However, they did not give up. Instead, they learned to become more dependent on God.

Spiritually, these young men and women have grown from being not really sure of their relationship with Jesus to having a strong walk with Him. They have learned to depend on Him for everything. They have learned to encourage one another with God’s Word and have developed a stronger prayer life. They now understand how important it is to spend time daily with Jesus.

Academically, these individuals have gone from having mediocre work habits to having really strong work ethic. They have strengthened their study skills and have become more dependable with turning in assignments. Their hard work has truly paid off, because eleven students are graduating with honors.

We could not have asked for a better graduating class. They have accomplished many successes in spite of their personal trials. Many young people their age would have given up, but this group is the exception. They all have goals of being entrepreneurs, lawyers, doctors, etc. and there is no doubt in our minds that this group of individuals will obtain them. This group leaves a wonderful legacy behind and we will truly miss them.