As the year winds down in Quincy, it’s a time for reflection and gratitude. At Cornerstone, we’ve seen firsthand how resilience and community support can transform lives. Founded in 1947 as the Family Service Agency of Adams County and evolving into Cornerstone in 2002, our organization has been a licensed child welfare agency dedicated to helping people meet life’s challenges by providing the skills, support, and hope needed for effective, fulfilling lives. Our mission is simple yet profound: to create a compassionate, non-judgmental environment where everyone knows they matter, fostering hope that generates action and leads to real change.
But missions like ours don’t happen without the generosity of donors like you. In 2025, despite the heartfelt loss of our First Steps program, we’ve continued to deliver thousands of hours of essential support to adoptive families, young parents breaking cycles of trauma, and students navigating social and emotional hurdles. Each donation directly fuels these efforts, turning abstract hope into tangible healing. Let’s explore how your contribution makes a lasting difference in our community.
Affordable Counseling: Breaking Down Barriers to Mental Health
One of the biggest obstacles to seeking help is cost. That’s why our Sliding Scale Counseling Program is a cornerstone of our services, offering therapy for as little as $20 per session. This ensures that financial constraints don’t prevent individuals and families from accessing the care they need. Whether it’s coping with anxiety, depression, grief, or trauma, our team of licensed therapists—including experts like Brandy Deege (LCPC, specializing in play therapy and trauma-focused CBT), Courtney Miller (LCPC, trained in EMDR and attachment issues), and Katharine “Katy” O’Brien (LCPC, with experience in foster care and adoption)—provides personalized, strengths-based support in a safe space.
Your donation subsidizes these sessions, preserving dignity and empowering people to take that crucial first step toward healing. Imagine a young adult overcoming foster care trauma or a family strengthening bonds through collaborative therapy—these are the real stories unfolding daily because of supporters like you.
Supporting Adoptive Families Through ASAP Services
Adoption is a beautiful journey, but it often comes with unique challenges post-finalization. Our Adoption Support & Preservation (ASAP) services are designed to assist families at any stage after adoption, offering guidance, counseling, and resources to build strong connections and address issues like attachment, trauma, or behavioral concerns. Therapists like Trina Vogel (LCSW, trained in play therapy and child trauma) and Lindsey Wood (LCPC, LMFT, focusing on family relationships) help adoptive parents and children thrive.
Donations enable us to expand these services, ensuring no family feels alone. In Quincy, where community ties run deep, your gift helps create stable, loving homes that ripple out to healthier neighborhoods and schools.
Empowering Young Parents and Students
We also walk alongside young parents determined to provide better futures for their children, offering parenting education and trauma-informed support to break generational cycles. For students facing overwhelming emotional challenges, we help in a myriad of ways, from crisis intervention to building self-worth.
Led by Executive Director Dr. Melissa McKelvie, a licensed clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience, our team—including Misty Holt (LCPC, former crisis intervention specialist)—tailors interventions to foster resilience. Your contributions fund these programs, turning potential struggles into stories of triumph and community strength.
Join Us in Building a Brighter 2026
As we look ahead, we’re aiming to raise $25,000 by January 31, 2026, to sustain and grow these vital services. Every gift, no matter the size, ensures no one in Quincy faces their struggles alone. At Cornerstone, we believe action creates change. Thank you for being a champion for mental health and family strength in Quincy. Together, we’re restoring hope, one life at a time.
Click here to make a one-time, or ongoing donation that goes directly to the people in our community.
