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We are deeply honored to be featured in the January 15th issue of ALX Now. This recognition showcases the commitment and effort that have gone into transforming Cornerstone Craftsman into what it is today. We are especially proud of this achievement as we prepare to open our new headquarters, marking an exciting new chapter for our team and the community we serve. |
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Join us for a historic moment in the heart of Alexandria! |
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We invite you to participate in a ground breaking event as we make history together in this vibrant city. Don’t miss the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on February 28th at 12pm noon – a significant step toward a brighter future for the youth in our community. |
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Meaningful Effects of Our Program on the Youth of Alexandria |
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Many young individuals we support encounter significant barriers and challenges in their lives. It's not uncommon for them to navigate the juvenile justice system, where those on probation often have to meet requirements like court-ordered restitution and community service. Here at Cornerstone Craftsman we take pride in providing these youth with a genuine opportunity to move beyond their past involvement and build a brighter future. We are thrilled to report that in the past 30 days, thanks to our advocacy and mentorship, one of our youth has successfully met his court obligations and has been released from probation. He is now ready to embrace a fresh start in life.
Sometimes youth can make rash decisions that result in incarceration. Recently, a young man reached out to us, expressing his desire to improve his life. Through our advocacy efforts within the court system and welcoming him into our program, we facilitated his release. His ongoing commitment to gun violence prevention and participation in civic activities have been inspiring, demonstrating his genuine interest in turning his life around.
“Youth I supervise that engage in the program have noticeably positive changes in their attitudes and behaviors. I've also noticed that youth in the program have not reoffended.” - David Klem, Alexandria City, Probation Officer
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The Importance of Civic Engagement |
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As participants in the Cornerstone Craftsman pre-apprenticeship program, you are expected to align with our vision, mission, and core values. One of our core values is community and advocacy. We emphasize the importance of promoting and supporting the needs, rights, and well-being of our youth in Alexandria City. We make ongoing efforts to find opportunities for our youth to attend events and engage within our community.
On Friday, January 3rd, we participated in the People’s Party, celebrating the inauguration of Alexandria City's new mayor. Then, on Tuesday, January 7th, three of our youth took part in a discussion that united young people from across Alexandria to form a Youth Council. This council aims to enhance civic engagement and empower the voices of students and young individuals in our community.
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Career Fair with IBEW Local 26 |
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| A representative from IBEW Local 26 recently visited our new headquarters to share valuable career information with our youth, focusing on apprenticeship opportunities within the electrical union. During this session, our youth heard firsthand from a current employee about the lucrative career paths available in the electrical union, with the potential to earn over $100K annually. We extend our gratitude to all the wonderful union representatives who consistently support our program. |
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Cornerstone’s Trip to Richmond -Leading by Example |
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| In marginalized communities, gun violence is not just a harsh reality but a significant challenge to address. In collaboration with our community partner, Moms Demand Action, we took a group of our pre-apprentices to Richmond, VA on Wednesday, January 15th, to unite and raise awareness about the urgent realities of gun violence to lawmakers. |
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Throughout the day our youth had the opportunity to share their own experiences and perspectives on how gun violence or potential gun violence affects their and their families' lives. Their powerful stories resonated, earning recognition from both chambers of the Virginia Senate and House, and even receiving a standing ovation during one of the sessions. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners at Moms Demand Action for organizing this impactful event and for their ongoing commitment to our program and the safety of all. |
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Volunteer Spotlight!Wendi Mueller |
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| Wendi Mueller is a graduate student at Georgetown University pursuing her master’s degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communications. After teaching high school English for over a decade and then staying home to care for her two young boys, Wendi decided to return to school and embark on a new career journey.
She has always had a heart for teenagers and is passionate about helping them find pathways toward a successful future. |
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She is excited to partner with Cornerstone Craftsman to help strategically undervalued youth discover a career path that will not only advance their likelihood of success but also benefit the Alexandria community through increased economic opportunities and improved resident safety and security. |
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The Georgetown University graduate level Capstone is a culminating project that requires each student to partner with a client who has a pressing communications need or challenge. The student and client work together throughout the semester to create a communications plan that includes thorough research on internal and external industry environments, careful consideration of appropriate messaging goals and objectives, and creative strategies and tactics that effectively reach the intended audience. A successful communications plan will bring more awareness to the client’s work, thereby advancing its mission and increasing community engagement.
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"In today's current times itis not hard to find negative articles or news regarding our youth. Our Youth is our future and should be nurtured, helped and appreciated. When I heard about the work being done by the Cornerstone Craftsmen organization and then saw it in action, I had to respond by showing my full support and appreciation. It's not everyday that you can be a part of a movement and organization that gives our young people skills and self-worth to not only help themselves, but serve the community with a much needed skill in the marketplace." -Ricardo V.
“After meeting Roberto at the Scholarship Fund Gala, I'm thrilled to follow along with the Cornerstone Craftsman journey. It is so exciting and impressive” -Chaaron P. |
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 | Our ProgramOur unique pre-apprenticeship program provides 12-17 year-olds the chance to build a viable career path, earn a livable wage, and pursue economic self-sufficiency. |
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|  | How it StartedIn 2021, Executive Director, Roberto Gomez, recognizing a pressing need, began operating and self-funding an informal pre-apprentice program during the Summer and on weekends. |
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| Current Needs
We seek to raise $300,000 in start-up and operational funding over the next few years while launching a 501(c)(3) in order to double or triple our pre-apprentice capacity, which is currently at 14 pre-apprentices. |
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Help us reach our first $25,000 milestone!Be a monthly giver and deliver the highest impact for Cornerstone Craftsman. Even $10 a month gets the pre-apprentices essential construction materials for a training day at the center. Join a special circle of supporters--become a sustainer donor! This packs the best punch to help us keep administrative costs down. |
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