Cornerstone Community
Where Community is the Heart of Recovery

We are not a transitional house where staff works with clients or patients. We are a community, a home where we make friends, where we come alongside to accompany those who have to learn to sober live again. At Cornerstone, relationships are our specific therapy. I am drawn to this personal, relational way of life—a way of life—not just a job. This fresh approach to those with addictions is rare but feels so right … and quite sobering. (Tom Copps, Executive Director)

History of the Cornerstone Community

Tommy Zarembka, then working at Joseph's House, found that men who were able to move out of Joseph's House faced many hardships and most returned to their addictions. An informal survey conducted in 2005 confirmed that well over 65 percent of the men relapsed to drug abuse; almost one-half of them returned to living in shelters or on the streets. Their health rapidly deteriorated.

Safe and affordable housing in the District of Columbia is scarce. For men who are low income, living with a disability, and struggling to maintain their sobriety, housing is even more difficult to obtain. Even with safe and affordable housing, many men still need supportive services to live sober, independent lives.

Stung by what was happening to friends who left the Joseph’s House community, Tommy began to discuss developing a home that would focus on providing a home as well as a community for these men. Tommy began meeting with Dixie Butler and Tom Copps and together they worked on the vision of the Cornerstone Community.

Cornerstone is a new organization, having opened its doors to the first residents in August 2006. You can read about our first resident by clicking here. The Cornerstone Community is a 501c3 organization and all donations are tax-deductible.