Chehalis, WA — 8/7/2025 — Cornerstone is thrilled to announce it has been awarded $863,420 through the Washington Student Achievement Council’s (WSAC) Regional Challenge Grant (RCG) renewal. This funding, to be distributed over the next two years, will enable the Cornerstone Partnership to continue its mission of walking alongside families in the Chehalis School District (CSD) and ensuring that both students and their families are equipped to thrive while pursuing their education goals. 

“We are so thankful to have secured another 2 years of funding through WSAC's Regional Challenge Grant,” said DeeDee Judd, Cornerstone Education Coordinator. “This grant will allow us to continue to walk alongside our CSD families and get even further rooted within our community.”

Cornerstone is a community-centered Chehalis partnership that provides educational opportunities and support to young children and supports their parents in reaching their own educational and training goals.  Dedicated to removing barriers, strengthening family engagement, and increasing student success. By continuing this work, the Partnership can provide consistent support and connection to essential resources, programs, and opportunities that positively impact student outcomes.

“Our Cornerstone Partnership is a true game changer,” said Superintendent Rick Goble. “It allows us to walk alongside families, wherever they are on their journey, and ensure they can fully access and benefit from all that our schools have to offer.”

This grant is one of seven Regional Challenge Grants recently renewed by WSAC, totaling $6.2 million in continued support for proven partnerships across Washington. Although the 2025–27 biennium state budget eliminated new RCG funding, WSAC prioritized sustaining existing partnerships by awarding renewals at its May 20, 2025, council meeting—thanks to efficient program management and a commitment to lasting community impact.

“This work of partnering with regional leaders throughout the state is invaluable,” said Mike Meotti, executive director of WSAC. “As a state we're working toward bigger goals of social mobility and economic opportunity. Our local partnerships are critical to supporting meaningful change for individuals and propelling sustainable movement toward our statewide goals.”

Established through Senate Bill 5789 in 2022, the Regional Challenge Grant program awards competitive grants to regional partnerships working to increase postsecondary attainment and credential completion, while closing opportunity gaps for students.

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is committed to increasing educational opportunities and attainment across Washington. WSAC fosters a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion among its staff and in all areas of its work.

For more information about the grant renewal and WSAC’s investment strategy, visit the WSAC website.

At Cornerstone, we believe that when families thrive, students succeed. That’s why we’re excited to offer support to parents who are considering earning a postsecondary credential — whether that’s a license, certificate, or college degree.

If you’ve been thinking about going back to school, now is a great time to explore your options! Fall Quarter at Centralia College is just around the corner, and we’re organizing a special trip to campus on Wednesday, September 18th. This will be a fun, informative event where you can learn more about programs, meet staff, and see what it might look like to take that next step.

What’s more, Cornerstone has dual-generational financial support available to help parents while they work toward completing their credential. That means help with tuition, books, and even support for your family while you’re in school.

We’d love to connect with you. If you're curious or want to learn more, just reply to this message with your phone number or other contact info, and a Cornerstone team member will reach out.

Let’s take that next step together. Your goals matter — and we’re here to help you reach them.

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Cornerstone is committed to helping students start strong—and that starts well before the first day of school.

This summer, incoming kindergartners had the chance to attend Kindercamp, a one-day event focused on easing the transition into school life. Rather than formal introductions or classroom tours, Kindercamp was all about play-based learning. Students rotated through fun stations and activities designed to strengthen their fine and gross motor skills, helping build the coordination and confidence they’ll need in the classroom.

Next up is our family-favorite event, the Kindercarnival, coming up on Saturday, August 9th from 11am–2pm at James Lintott Elementary. This free, carnival-themed event is open to all incoming and outgoing kindergartners and their families. There will be games, food, music, and interactive stations—plus lots of opportunities to meet other Cornerstone families and staff.

We are in need of volunteers for the Kindercarnival, if you are interested in helping out, please reach out.

These events are part of Cornerstone’s broader commitment to supporting students at every stage of their educational journey. We believe that when families feel connected and kids feel confident, everyone wins.

Questions about the Kindercarnival? Call or text (360) 219-7267 or (360) 219-3657—we’ll see you there! 🎪🎈

The Cornerstone Community Garden is thriving—and it’s all thanks to the generosity of our partners and the dedication of our volunteers.

Earlier this season, Dirty Thumb Nursery donated a beautiful variety of fruits and vegetables, helping to lay the foundation for what has become a lush and growing space. From crisp greens to plump tomatoes, these plants were lovingly planted by volunteers from the community, including Cornerstone families and staff.

Since then, the garden has taken off—both in growth and in spirit. The project not only provides access to fresh produce, but also serves as a hands-on learning opportunity for kids and families alike, encouraging conversations around healthy eating, sustainability, and community responsibility.

As we watch the garden continue to grow, we’re reminded of how much can be accomplished when a community comes together. Thank you to Dirty Thumb Nursery for their generous donation, and to all the volunteers who got their hands dirty to make this space bloom.

Stay tuned for upcoming garden days and harvest events—there’s more to come! 🌱