FAQ

Cornerstone has offices in Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, and Minneapolis. When you contact us to schedule an appointment, we work with you to determine which location you will visit, which is dependent on your location and the services you are seeking. 

Main Office:
1000 East 80th Street
Bloomington, MN 55420

There are no fees for any of Cornerstone’s services, with the exception of therapy. Clinical therapy for adults, youth and families is offered on a sliding fee scale based on your financial situation.

Cornerstone’s safe housing is open 24/7 and can accept new residents at any time, pending availability of open beds. However, the majority of our services are only available during the week. Please ask your Cornerstone advocate about their specific hours. Cornerstone’s Day One’s Crisis Hotline is staffed 24/7 by advocates who can assist you any time.

You’re always welcome to contact our 24/7 crisis line at 952.884.0330 with questions about Cornerstone’s services after hours. This number will connect you directly to Cornerstone’s emergency shelter. Otherwise, if you’d like to speak with an advocate for support over the phone, text, email or in an online chat, please contact our Minnesota Day One Call Center. 

No. Cornerstone serves adults and youth who have experienced or are currently experiencing domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking and crime. 

Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically; however, the one constant component of domestic violence is one partner’s consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the other. (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence)

Sexual violence is the use of sexual actions and words that are unwanted by and/or harmful to another person. It can include sexual assault, rape, attempted rape, incest, molestation or other acts of sexual intrusion, including both non-physical and/or verbal acts of violence, sexual harassment and sexual abuse.

Human trafficking refers to the sexual or labor-related exploitation of people through force, fraud, coercion or pressure for profit or monetary gain. When you’re being trafficked, it is not a choice or voluntary action. Human trafficking includes labor trafficking, sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.

General crime is a broad category of offenses, including both property crimes and crimes against persons. This includes burglary, robbery, assault, hate crimes and identity theft. According to the law in Minnesota, a crime victim is a person who incurs loss or harm as a result of a crime. You could also be a crime victim if you’re a family member, guardian or custodian of a minor, incompetent, incapacitated or deceased person.

No, Cornerstone does not always ask you to be separated from your abuser or the person who is hurting you to receive services. While each of our programs have their own unique set of requirements, we recognize that the decision to leave or stay is complicated and you know your situation best. If you decide to stay with the person who is harming you, we’ll work with you to create a safety plan and things to consider while accessing Cornerstone’s services in order to stay safe. If you decide you want to leave, our advocates will help you adjust your safety plan.

You can contact us at any time to be connected to any of our programs and to receive services. We do not require you to file a police report or talk to law enforcement at any point while you are working with a Cornerstone advocate or seeking resources such as Emergency Financial Assistance after you have experienced a crime like theft or property destruction.

Victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation have access to all of Cornerstone’s services, including our emergency shelter. Shelter is available for those who are 18+ and their children. If you are under 18, please contact Cornerstone’s Day One Call Center to explore safe options. 

Yes, men, male-identified, nonconforming, non-binary and people of all genders can access all of Cornerstone’s services. 

Yes, Cornerstone offers specialized services for children, youth and teens. Since Cornerstone was founded in 1983, we have recognized young people as primary victims of violence and abuse with specific needs as a result of the trauma they’ve experienced. Cornerstone’s youth programming takes place at our Bloomington location.

Yes, we are able to provide free childcare onsite. However, to ensure that our childcare staff, volunteers and child-appropriate spaces are available, we ask that you please make an appointment ahead of time.

Yes, spoken interpreters and ASL interpreters are available for all of Cornerstone’s services.

Cornerstone’s advocates regularly provide support in collaboration with culturally-specific advocates at other service providers. This co-advocacy model honors your cultural identity. Some of our partners include ThinkSelf, Casa de Esperanza, Asian Women United of Minnesota (House of Peace), Anti-Violence Program of OutFront MN and Pillsbury United Communities – Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Program.

Yes. All of Cornerstone’s programs serve victims / survivors who identify as Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing and/or living with a disability. Video phones and ASL/CDI interpreters are available, as well as whiteboards and markers, language access posters and a “Welcome to Our Services” video for victims / survivors. We have a co-advocacy partnership with ThinkSelf, an advocacy and education organization for Deaf* adults in Minnesota. Our statewide Day One program has partnered with ThinkSelf to create easier access to train and better equip domestic violence and sexual violence organizations throughout Minnesota and their staff, including Cornerstone, to serve Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing and/or living with a disability.

Video explaining our commitment to accessibility: https://youtu.be/DbMKzxQHeG4

A.  Yes.  Being concerned about your pet is understandable and we will work with you to make sure your pet is safe. The Minnesota Alliance for Family & Animal Safety (MNAFAS) provides safe and temporary foster care for the pets of families and individuals experiencing violence so that they can address their safety needs and next steps. If you would like more information regarding MNAFAS or Pet Safe Housing call the MNAFAS line at 952.646.6563.

An appointment isn’t always required, however we highly recommend that you call us ahead of time at 952.884.0376 to schedule an appointment. Some services are only available during certain hours and we want to be sure that staff are available to assist you. Appointments are also important if you’re in need of childcare for your children while you’re meeting with Cornerstone advocates.

We can only make appointments for adults by speaking with the person seeking Cornerstone services. Appointments for youth under 18 may be made by a parent or guardian. 

You can learn about your rights and responsibilities here.

Your feedback is important to us and helps us to ensure that our programs are responsive, respectful and meeting the expectations of our community. Each of Cornerstone’s programs solicits feedback from participants via a survey. If you have not received a survey or evaluation form, please contact your Cornerstone advocate. 

If you have a concern regarding your experience, please follow our grievance procedure outlined here.