Welcome to Project Cornerstone for 2026-2027

Project Cornerstone is a character education program, shown to improve academic achievement, lower behavioral referrals, and strengthen a positive, caring school climate. Specially selected, research backed books that focus on social emotional development are read to the children. These carefully chosen books promote positive social skills, reduce bullying, teach problem solving and encourage making healthy decisions. 

Traditionally the books have been read by parent volunteers, referred to as Asset Building Champions - the ABC volunteers. For more information visit the YMCA page here.

How does it work?

• Parent volunteers sign up to read and conduct activities  in classrooms. Very often parents get to be volunteers for their own child's class. 

• Volunteers access the resources on the YMCA Project Cornerstone website, for reading the book, interacting and engaging with the students in the class. Training meetings and materials are available on the YMCA website

• On a day and time that works for both the teacher and parent volunteer, the parent will read the book of the month to the students and conduct activities around the central theme of the book. This happens once a month. In case of multiple volunteers per room, they can take turns or collaborate with each other. 

• The volunteer(s) can send a letter to the teacher to be sent to the rest of the parents informing the remaining parents of the book read and the social emotional asset discussed that month with the children.

If you enjoy engaging with children, are comfortable leading age appropriate discussions and activities in a classroom setting, then this is the perfect opportunity for you. This program offers a flexible schedule and a time commitment of about 1-2 hours a month from October to May. No book in December. And you get a glimpse of your child's time spent at school! Your child will be delighted to see you there! 

Please consider being a Project Cornerstone volunteer in your child's classroom.