ABOUT US
Partnering for Safe and Healthy Communities.
What is Cornerstones of Care? This is a common question we are asked. To us, Cornerstones of Care isn’t just our name. It symbolizes something far greater. It stands for the lasting and positive impact on the safety and health of tens of thousands of children and families in communities across the region.
We partner with children, young adults and families to improve safety and health through three key service areas:
- Youth & Family Support
- Foster Care & Adoption
- Education & Trainings
Trauma-Informed is at the Center of Everything We Do
Individuals receive trauma-informed care by certified staff to develop skills and knowledge that will empower them to live safe, productive and non-violent lives. We do this by meeting the most basic behavioral healthcare needs of our community, including:
- Treating trauma and improving individual health
- Reuniting families and placing children in foster care in loving homes
- Caring for children and young adults with acute mental health needs
- Nurturing the self-worth and dignity of all individuals in our care
Above all, we strive to create a safe healing environment that respects dignity and inclusion so our children and families can experience more fulfilling and rewarding lives.
Learn MoreFor the Safety and Health of our Communities.
We are dedicated to helping children and families wherever they are, whenever they need us. Our team provides in-home and in-community services throughout the region.
Community is so much more than a physical space. It represents our relationships and daily interactions and activities we share, the culture we create, our strengths and weaknesses and our hopes and dreams.
We take every aspect of community to heart as we design and deliver programs and services to improve lives. Last year, we served more than 10,000 children and families.
Our History — A 400 Year-Old Story
In 1997, Gillis and Ozanam and Spofford joined forces to form the Gillis-Ozanam-Spofford (G.O.S.) Consortium with the goal of sharing best practices and leveraging capacity to better develop infrastructure. Marillac joined in 1998, and G.O.S. became Cornerstones of Care, which also grew to include Healthy Families. Together, our Cornerstones of Care family of agencies provided a full spectrum of preventive and treatment services for children and families throughout the region for almost 20 years.
In 2017, the founding agencies came together as true building blocks or ‘cornerstones’ of compassionate care for even more children and families. Today, their expertise and historical significance are honored through the Cornerstones of Care name, and their individual names have been preserved in the form of campus locations within one Cornerstones of Care organization. Together we have a shared mission and an even greater vision to strengthen our children, families, and communities.
What's in a name? When it comes to our various campuses, it turns out that the names include a whole lot of history and inspiration. Each location was named after a compassionate visionary who actively worked to bring about the best in others and their communities.
- William Gillis (1797-1869), a prominent pioneer trader, is considered one of Kansas City's founding members. The "Gillis Home for Orphans" was established in 1870 by his niece with support from his estate after he died.
- Blessed Frederic Ozanam (1813-1853), a French literary scholar, lawyer, journalist, social justice advocate, and one of the founders of the Conference of Charity, inspired a young social worker who established the "Ozanam Home for Boys" in 1948 in his honor.
- Bebe Spofford (circa 1850s-1918), honored her husband's memory by donating their mansion to be used as an orphanage. The "Spofford Receiving Home for Children" opened its doors in 1916.