About
Cornerstone Connect is a secure text and online chat service for women in Northumberland County who may be living through increased violence and abuse at home. Our counsellors provide emotional support, practical advice, and referrals.
We can help you:
- Talk about how you’re feeling
- Create a safety plan to reduce your risk of harm
- Get you the services you need for support
Connect with us
Our text and online chat service is available 7 days a week from 6 pm to 6 am. Your conversations with our counsellors are confidential and secure.
How it works
You can chat online with us or text us. We’re here for you. Our trained counsellors will give you support, information, resources and safety planning ideas. There are two ways to reach us:
This is the safest way to talk to us. You’ll need a device with WiFi or internet connection to use the chat service.
Click the chat online now button if you need us. A chat window will open, and we’ll connect you to a trained counsellor.
You can end the conversation at any time. Once it’s done, your chat history will be erased.
Text us if you need support. We’ll connect you to a trained counsellor.
You do not need a data plan, internet connection, or an app to use Cornerstone Connect on your cell phone or mobile device.
For your safety, be sure to delete your text history once you’re done texting with us. Here are instructions for iPhone and Android.
When you connect with us, the first few messages you receive from us will be automated. These will give you more information about the service and our confidentiality policy.
What you should know
Cornerstone Connect is designed to keep you safe. However, nothing is 100% secure. When you chat online with us or text us, please make sure you’re using a device or computer that’s safe.
Some tips to stay safe online:
- Use private browsing/incognito mode when using our chat function
- Use a password on your phone or device
- Clear your browser history after your chat
- Delete your text history after texting us
- Don’t take screenshots
If you think someone else could have installed spyware onto the device you’re using, you may not want to use this service.
Stay safe and cope
For many, this challenging period of physical distancing means a rise in intimate partner or family violence and domestic abuse. This might mean verbal abuse, emotional abuse, or physical or sexual violence. So how can you stay safe at home or cope with your situation?
Here are some helpful resources:
- Safety planning during COVID-19 (Sanctuary for Families)
- How to keep safe online (Luke’s Place)
Text us @ 289-210-4774
“Times like this call for us to take care of each other.
We’re here for you.
Reach out if you need support.”
COVID-19 services
Do you feel alone and unsafe during this period of physical distancing?
Are you dealing with physical, emotional, sexual, or other kinds of abuse?
Reach out for help now.
Learn about where you can access support in Northumberland during the pandemic, including telephone support and walk-in services. In-person options are limited at this time, so be sure to consult this list before you go.
If you’re in immediate danger, please call 911.
Who we are
Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre has been working to break the cycle of family violence for over 36 years by providing shelter, counselling and prevention services. Cornerstone launched Cornerstone Connect to offer women living with abuse or violence, which may be increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, a safe space to reach out for help. This initiative is staffed by experienced counsellors. We are committed to treating women with compassion and respect for their dignity, privacy and diversity during this difficult time.