About Us

Cornerstone vision

Everyone has a home in a community that supports them to live with dignity and hope.

Cornerstone mission

We provide a continuum of housing and support for women and gender-diverse people that is inclusive and reduces barriers.

Cornerstone Commitments

We hold ourselves accountable to these commitments:

Social Justice – a leader in ending homelessness.
Collaboration – strong partnerships to meet diverse needs.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion – a culturally competent and inclusive organization.
Respect – sharing, caring communities that support physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Organizational Excellence – a strong foundation for our work.

Land Acknowledgement

Cornerstone Housing for Women’s programs, services, and activities take place on the traditional, unceded territories of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation.

Indigenous Peoples have stewarded and nurtured this land for millennia and continue to do so. Cornerstone respects and recognizes the original care takers of Turtle Island. We seek to continue in our journey of reconciliation with Indigenous communities.

This land acknowledgement is one step along the path of reconciliation between Indigenous Peoples and settlers. We are committed to taking action toward healing and supporting Indigenous communities in our programs, services, and housing communities.

All Saints Sandy Hill Church

In 1983, Cornerstone Housing for Women began with three cots in the basement of All Saints Church in Sandy Hill. It was the first women's only shelter in Ottawa.

Cornerstone's Herstory

Our story began with the support of the Church, and it continues with our membership in the Community Ministries of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa.

Cornerstone has grown significantly over the years to address the gap in services for women’s only programs and emergency shelter. We now provide shelter for 150 women and supportive housing for 156 women across our five housing communities in Ottawa.

We have more than 130 staff and almost 200 extraordinary volunteers who provide on-site support and refer women to local resources. Last year, we provided more than 172,000 nourishing meals across all of our programs.

At Cornerstone, we believe that women deserve the chance to heal in peace and to live with dignity. With your help, we’re making Ottawa a better, safer place for women.