Consistency & Reliability at Cornerstone Residences
Cornerstone Residences is a unique community in the Archway portfolio. Through our partnership with the St. Francis Center next door, all of our residents are housed at Cornerstone through a housing voucher specifically for the property. Subsequently, many of our residents here have experienced homelessness in the past, resulting in acute needs.
I spoke to Mack, the Critical Time Intervention Coordinator at Cornerstone. He functions similarly to our Supportive Services Coordinator on other sites, but with a specialty in Addiction Recovery, Trauma and Harm Reduction.
“In your time at Cornerstone, what have been some focuses or goals of yours?” I asked.
“Here there is a lot of ebb and flow. I think a lot of times we like to think of improvement in a linear fashion. But oftentimes it isn’t that straightforward, especially after experiencing such traumatic hardship and lack.”
“My goal has just been consistency. Showing up no matter what, even if a resident isn’t currently moving in a productive direction. And I think they notice it.”
Mack tells me it’s important to really pay attention and get to know residents. For instance, noticing a resident attending a food bank earlier in the month than they normally do could be happenstance or it could be a result of mismanaging the funds in their fixed income.
“It then becomes a dialogue of how we can better manage our finances. It gives an opportunity for growth, but also shows the resident that I see them and I care. We aren’t going anywhere, we will always be a resource.”
I asked Mack about any wins he’s experienced at Cornerstone in his first year on-site.
“We’re in the process of getting some really great resources on-site for our residents and some really great partnerships. For instance getting an AA meeting set up regularly and on-site has been a big benefit.”
“From there you just have to celebrate residents’ lifestyle changes even if they don’t last. We might be celebrating a stint of sobriety that only lasted 8 weeks, but it’s a huge step when residents are showing attempts at big changes, especially when these have been habits for a majority of their lives. And many residents are open to new things and moving in positive directions, even when it may seem scary. That is so important.”
Mack explains to me that being consistent is what is making the difference over time. “When people feel cared for and supported, when they feel seen and their true self is valued, that is what turns into lasting change down the line. Many residents here have lived a long time with no support, and it takes time to shift from that.”
And while there are ebbs and flows when it comes to the changes residents are making in their lives for the better, there has been consistency in the resident reception to Mack and the positive attitudes exuded from residents. Mack is a valued part of residents’ lives and there are nothing but good things to share about him. Residents are welcoming and eager to engage with our staff and other residents.
The events brought on-site, either through partnerships or provided by our staff, have been met with consistent attendance. Our residents are building life skills and utilizing supportive services, and those are wins for us here at Archway.
